The Weeknight Special: Rum Chicken Thu, Jun 06, 24 | entertaining by Robert Giles I love when the weather gets warm and the grill comes out for the weekend. My friends and family know that when they get the invite to come over, it's probably a grilled meal they're going to see. Even during the week I'll throw together something quick that I can grill and just relax after a long day. That is exactly what this recipe is for, a quick marinade for chicken ( or pork if you prefer) that will give you an easy grilled meal. When looking at the pairings for this meal I like to go with something light, especially in the hotter summer months. Paisley Pinot Grigio is a fantastic pairing for this as the notes of stone fruit and honeysuckle pair nicely with the lime and rum flavors of the marinade. A lighter acidity for a pinot grigio and base minerality give this wine a rounded mouthfeel that complements the marinade to let it shine. If you want something with a little more acidity you can go for an albariño, I suggest the Mar de Frades. The strong lemon note and high acidity is balanced with a slight salinity that will pair well with the sweetness of the rum. Something completely different, but perfect for warm evenings, would be a dry riesling. Prost is an excellent candidate for this pairing. Apple and peach notes meld with the lime in the marinade while the long dry finish allows the sweetness and spice of the rum to shine through. Rum Marinated Chicken Marinade – can be made up to 24 hours in advance ½ cup dark spiced rum (Kraken recommended) 3-4 limes juiced ¼ onion roughly chopped ¼ cup cilantro chopped ¼ cup vegetable oil salt and pepper to taste Directions Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and taste for seasoning. In a large plastic bag, add 2-3 lbs of chicken and the marinade. Massage the bag to make sure all parts of the chicken have come in contact with the marinade. Let the chicken marinade for 30 minutes or up to four hours in the refrigerator. Prepare a grill with two heat zones, one medium high for searing and one medium for cooking. Sear the chicken on each side for about one to two minutes then move to medium heat to finish cooking. Plate and serve. An easy grilled dinner sitting outside and relaxing can be a perfect end to the day. Paired with a few quick sides (stay tuned for some ideas on that) and you can have a fantastic meal without a lot of effort. The key to any weeknight is to enjoy your time at home with friends and family and to always celebrate more. By Jodie Spears
