How to Barbecue a Whole Chicken
Whole chickens are an ideal meal for the entire family. More often than not, whole chickens are reserved for the winter and roasted in the oven. But you can take your whole chicken outside and cook it on the barbecue grill. Like oven-cooked chicken, it requires minimal effort once it starts cooking. You won't have to heat up the house with the oven during the warmer months, and your chicken will absorb a wonderfully smoky flavor. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Rinse the chicken well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels.
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2
Cut the backbone out of the chicken using kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Cut down both sides, then pull the backbone out. The bones are thin around the backbone, so you should be able to cut through them with minimal effort. Cut out any protruding pieces of bone or fat.
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3
Pull the chicken apart so that it lays flat.
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4
Rub chicken with melted butter or olive oil. If you like, you can combine the butter or oil with balsamic vinegar, honey, or orange juice.
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5
Generously rub the chicken with salt and pepper.
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Place the chicken on the grill skin-side down over medium-high heat. Allow the chicken to sear for five to 10 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and charred. If the flames get too high, move the chicken out of the way until they settle down.
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Flip the chicken over and move to indirect heat, or reduce the heat to low if you're using a gas grill. Cover the grill.
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Periodically brush the chicken with melted butter or olive oil. Keep the lid closed in between brushing so the grill retains its heat.
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Grill the chicken until the temperature of the breasts reaches 165 degrees F. If you don't have a thermometer, cook until the chicken's juices run clear.
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10
Remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
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References
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