a plate of buttermilk chicken on a table outside in the sun

BBQ buttermilk chicken with charred courgette sauce

Name: BBQ buttermilk chicken with charred courgette sauce
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 300ml buttermilk; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 tsp crushed black peppercorns; 2 tsp sea salt flakes; 6-8 skinless chicken thigh fillets; 2 medium courgettes, halved lengthways; 2 tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, sliced; 4 beef tomatoes, grated or finely chopped; 150ml vegetable stock; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tbsp runny honey; 150g sourdough, whizzed to breadcrumbs; 2 tbsp olive oil; ½ lemon, zested; 1 tsp thyme leaves; 1 tbsp finely grated parmesan

Preparation and cooking time
- Total time40 mins
- + marinating
Easy
Serves 4 - 6

Ingredients

BUTTERMILK CHICKEN

300ml buttermilk
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp crushed black peppercorns
2 tsp sea salt flakes
6-8 skinless chicken thigh fillets

SAUCE

2 medium courgettes, halved lengthways
2 tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, sliced
4 beef tomatoes, grated or finely chopped
150ml vegetable stock
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp runny honey

CRUMBS

150g sourdough, whizzed to breadcrumbs
2 tbsp olive oil
½ lemon, zested
1 tsp thyme leaves
1 tbsp finely grated parmesan

Method

STEP 1
Put all the buttermilk chicken ingredients, except the chicken, into a bowl and stir until combined. Add the thighs, toss to coat, cover and chill for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight – but you can leave for up to 48 hours.
STEP 2
Light a BBQ and let the flames die down about an hour before you want to cook on it, or heat the grill to high. Drizzle the courgette halves with a little oil and BBQ or grill for 10 minutes on each side until really smoky and charred. Leave to cool for a few minutes then finely chop.
STEP 3
Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion for 10-15 minutes or until very soft. Stir in the garlic for a few seconds then add the grated tomato with all the juice from the chopping board, a pinch of salt and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes until the tomatoes break down, then add the stock and courgettes. Simmer for 15 minutes until reduced. Season with more salt, pepper, vinegar and honey until you get a sweet/sour/smoky tomato sauce.
STEP 4
Toss the sourdough with the oil to coat well, and season. Fry in a dry frying pan over a medium heat until crunchy and golden. Tip into a bowl, leave to cool for a few minutes then stir in the thyme, lemon zest and parmesan.
STEP 5
Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off, then BBQ or grill for 6-8 minutes on each side or until charred and cooked through. Serve the chicken over the courgette sauce and scatter over the crumbs to serve.