One of our top five cheater recipes was inspired by a summer cookout at the Nashville hideout of songwriter/producer Desmond Child, the genius behind scores of hit songs, including “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Margarita, a member of Desmond’s Miami posse, is an excellent cook and veteran cheater. The chart-topping single of the incredible Cuban feast was Bar-B-Cuban Chicken. After marinating chicken legs and thighs overnight, she cheated big-time by cooking them in the oven before the party. In a matter of minutes, the precooked chicken was effortlessly seared on the grill in a showy haze before a live audience. Garlic and tangy lemon not only filled the air, they had penetrated deep into the meat (and our clothes). Margarita admitted, “I don’t measure and I always use too much garlic. I say, it’s good? No. More.” “How much garlic do you use, Margarita?” “Too much,” she said. This is our cover of Margarita’s smash hit.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
PLACE the chicken in a large sealable plastic bag. Add the remaining ingredients, seal the bag, and massage to blend the ingredients. Refrigerate overnight for maximum impact.
Step 2
REMOVE the chicken from the marinade. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and toss it with a little of the marinade; discard the rest. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.
Step 3
REMOVE the chicken from the oven and finish it on the grill or under the broiler about 4 inches from the heat source, turning frequently, until the skin is nicely charred and crisp and you can smell the garlic down the street.
