Poulet Bicyclette
Poulet Bicyclette, translating to 'bicycle chicken,' is a flavorful grilled chicken dish from Burkina Faso. The name likely comes from the sight of market vendors transporting chickens on their bicycles. It's known for its tender, marinated meat infused with a blend of aromatic spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken(about 1.5 kg, cut into pieces or flattened)
- to taste Salt
- 1/2 tbsp Ginger Powder
- 1/2 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tbsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tbsp Dried Oregano
- 2 dried Bay Leaves
- 1 Habanero Pepper(optional, chopped)
- enough to cover chicken Water
- 2 large Tomatoes(blended)
- 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger(grated)
- 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 Sweet Red Chili(blended)
- 1 lime Lime Juice
- 4 tbsp Oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a pot. Add salt, ginger powder, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, and bay leaves. Cover with water and boil for about 1 hour until tender.
💡 Tip: Boiling the chicken first makes it very tender and infuses it with initial flavors. - 2
Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine the blended tomatoes, grated ginger, minced garlic, smoked paprika, blended sweet red chili, lime juice, and oil. Mix well.
💡 Tip: Adjust the amount of chili to your spice preference. - 3
Marinate the chicken: Remove the boiled chicken from the pot (reserve the broth if desired). Generously brush the chicken with the marinade. Cover and let it marinate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
💡 Tip: Marinating allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken. - 4
Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken on a grill rack or baking sheet. Grill for 10-15 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and cooked through.
💡 Tip: Baste with any remaining marinade while grilling for extra flavor. - 5
Rest and serve: Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot with white rice, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The 'bicycle chicken' is known for its firm yet succulent meat.
- ✓This dish is traditionally eaten with the hands.
- ✓If you don't have habanero, a regular chili pepper can be used, adjusting for heat.
🔄 Variations
- Grill the chicken over charcoal for a smoky flavor.
- Serve with a side of Piri-Piri sauce.