Peruvian Grilled/Roasted Chicken

My love of this chicken dish started 18 years ago when my college roommate, Liza found this gem on the upper east side in NYC El Pollo. My sister has found a national chain that makes this chicken, El Pollo Loco. But, the real secret is that this chicken is so easy and can be made a home. I made this for my parents and they loved it! I made it for a bbq birthday party and it was the hit of the party (as reported by the organizer). I keep one recipe in the freezer and I keep one jar of the marinade in the fridge. Here is the recipe:

Peruvian Grilled/Roasted Chicken

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 5 garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), quartered (I use just thighs)
  

• Accompaniment: lime wedges

Marinate chicken:
Blend soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and oil in a blender.

Put chicken in a large sealable bag and add marinade. Seal bag and marinate, chilled, 8 to 24 hours.

Grill chicken:
If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom and lid of grill. Light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood). When coals are lit, dump them out along opposite sides of bottom rack, leaving a space free of coals (the size of the quartered chicken) in middle. When you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill rack directly over coals for 3 to 4 seconds, coals will be medium-hot.

If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, then reduce heat to medium-high.

Discard marinade, then pat chicken dry. Oil grill rack, then grill chicken over area with no coals (or over a turned-off burner), skin side down first, covered, turning over once, until cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes (add charcoal to maintain heat).

Cooks' note: If you aren't able to grill outdoors, chicken (quartered) can be roasted in middle of a 500°F oven in a 13- by 9-inch roasting pan with 1 cup water 30 minutes, then tented with foil and roasted until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes more.