FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS! ($70 MINIMUM)

BBQ Hack: Butterflied Chicken w/ Persian Rice Salad, Roast Veggies & Pesto

White table with BBQ chicken, salad servers Persian rice salad, roast veggis and pesto

Senior Account Manager and former chef Kim Lockyer shares one of her favourite crowd-pleasers: butterflied BBQ chicken with our Persian Rice Salad, roast veggies, herby pesto, and charred lemon wedges. It’s a flavour-packed combo that’s deceptively simple and totally satisfying.

Here's What You’ll Need:

  • 1 whole chicken, butterflied

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed

  • 2 tsp paprika

  • 1 tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)

  • 1 tsp dried thyme

  • Salt & pepper to taste

  • 1 x Salad Servers Persian Rice Salad

  • Roast veggies (e.g. capsicum, sweet potato, zucchini)

  • Charred lemon wedges, to serve

  • Jar of pesto 

BBQ with uncooked chicken getting marinated

Step-by-Step Method

1. Prep your BBQ chicken:
Rub your butterflied chicken with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, spices and herbs of choice. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Fire up the barbie:
Preheat your BBQ with the lid down on high. Once hot, turn heat to medium and place the chicken skin side up. Cook with the lid down for 20–30 minutes. Flip and cook skin side down for a final 15–20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Baste with leftover marinade if you like.

3. Roast the Veggies

While the chicken is cooking, place your prepared vegetables (e.g. capsicum, zucchini, red onion) on the BBQ or in a roasting tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season. Cook until golden and tender.

4. Char those lemons:
While the chicken rests, throw your halved lemons on the grill cut-side down until caramelised and smoky.

5. Plate it up:
Serve slices of juicy chicken with a generous spoon of Persian Rice Salad, roast veggies, a drizzle of green pesto, and a squeeze of charred lemon juice.

No BBQ? No worries, just roast in the oven at 200°C for 30 mins, then 10 more at 230°C to crisp the skin.

 

Plate of chicken with pesto and roast veggies

Why It Works

It’s simple, a bit fancy, and perfect for cooler nights when you still want to grill. Whether you're entertaining or just upgrading a midweek dinner — this one’s a keeper.

  • The Persian Rice Salad brings sweet, savoury depth with wild rice, raisins, almonds and spice.

  • Charred lemon adds smoky brightness.

  • Roast veg makes it feel hearty, while pesto ties everything together with fresh herby goodness.

3 different salads that complement bbq chicken

Other Salad Pairings

Not in the mood for Persian Rice Salad? Or want to offer a few options on your entertaining spread? These hearty, flavour-packed salads also pair beautifully with BBQ chicken and roast veg:

Potato with Basil Mayonnaise & Almonds
Creamy, nutty and seriously moreish, a modern twist on a classic potato salad that’s perfect with grilled meat.
👉 Try it now

Jewelled Saffron Rice Salad
A golden showstopper with sweet bursts of dried fruit, fresh herbs, and warming spices, it looks stunning and tastes even better.
👉 Order now

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Herb-packed and full of bite, this protein-rich salad holds its own with any grilled meat or veg.
👉 See the salad

 

Final Note

This dish hits that magic balance of effort and ease. With a few quality shortcuts (hello, ready-made salad), it delivers bold flavour and a whole lot of satisfaction, with minimal prep and hardly any stress.

👉 Grab our Persian Rice Salad to try it yourself → SHOP NOW

 

Back to Salad Stories