Firehouse Chicken

Purée garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt, parsley, paprika, pepper, and 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a blender until smooth. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over. Seal bag and chill chicken 1 –3 days. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Let sit uncovered at room temperature 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 °F. Heat remaining 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Place 1 chicken half, skin side down, in skillet, set another skillet or heavy pot on top, and add a couple of cans to weigh it down. Cook until skin is browned and crisp, 15 –20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken half. Roast chicken in oven, skin side up, until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165 °F, 20 –25 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.