Poulet Bicyclette (Free-Range Grilled Chicken)

Name: Poulet Bicyclette (Free-Range Grilled Chicken)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Burkina Faso
Ingredients: 1 whole free-range chicken, cut into pieces; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 onion, grated; 2 tbsp mustard; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tbsp paprika; 1 scotch bonnet pepper, minced; 2 tbsp lime juice

6 servings20 min prep40 min cookEasy Burkina Faso

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Poulet Bicyclette (Free-Range Grilled Chicken)

Story updated September 17, 2026

Poulet bicyclette gets its name from the free-range village chickens Burkinabé farmers traditionally transported to market by bicycle. Raised outdoors rather than in commercial coops, these leaner, more muscular birds are prized by local cooks for their firmer texture and deeper flavor, and the dish built around them is considered Burkina Faso's national dish.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

1 whole free-range chicken, cut into pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, grated
2 tbsp mustard
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp paprika
1 scotch bonnet pepper, minced
2 tbsp lime juice

Instructions

1Combine garlic, onion, mustard, oil, paprika, scotch bonnet, and lime juice into a marinade.
2Coat the chicken pieces well and marinate at least 2 hours for best flavor.
3Preheat a charcoal grill to medium heat.
4Grill the chicken slowly, turning frequently, 35-40 minutes until deeply charred and cooked through.
5Baste occasionally with leftover marinade during the first half of cooking.
6Serve hot with grilled onions and a side of attiéké or rice.

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