Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store has become a tasty last minute meal. It's tasty, but when you learn to how to BBQ a whole chicken on your own rotisserie you'll realize how much better it tastes with not much more work than the trip to the store. You'll need a grill with a rotisserie, a whole chicken, butter or olive oil with seasonings, and about 1-1/2 hours of cook time for a yummy home-cooked chicken.
The first step is setting up your rotisserie on your grill. There are rotisseries made for both gas and charcoal grills. Follow your manufacturer's instructions and make sure that it rotates freely and is set to go. Place a drip pan with about 1/2 inch of water on the grill to catch excess fat and prevent flare ups and to add moisture to the roasting chicken. Fire up the grill to high and let it heat up while you prepare the chicken.
\"How To BBQ\"
Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water. Remove the giblets and excess fat, I cook those up separately for my kitties as a special treat. Pat the chicken dry inside and out with a paper towel. You can rub butter and salt inside the cavity or add some garlic or onion if you like for extra flavor. You're going to need to truss the chicken if your rotisserie is a spit without a basket. To truss the chicken you need to tie the legs and wings to each other so they don't flop around during cooking possibly getting burned or throwing the spit off center. The easiest way to do this is with heat-proof butchers twine or non-coated wire.
Once the bird is trussed it's ready to be spitted on the rotisserie. Slide the spit through the body of the chicken and make sure the pronged pieces at either end of the spit are secured into the chicken. These are to allow the chicken to turn with the spit so the chicken cooks evenly on all sides. Place the spit on the grill according to the manufacturer's directions and you're ready to go.
Turn off the burner or move the charcoal directly beneath the chicken so the heat is less direct. Baste the chicken every 20 minutes to 1/2 hour with butter or olive oil mixed with whatever seasonings you like. You want to let the chicken cook on it's own for the most part. Leave it alone and don't lift the lid of the grill more than you need to letting the heat out. If you like to use a glaze as a finishing touch, apply it during the last 10 to 20 minutes of cooking.
The whole preparation sounds more complicated than it is. Once you learn how to BBQ a whole chicken, the set up time is a snap. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken and the heat of the grill. Once the chicken is on the rotisserie and cooking, it requires minimal attention and allows the cook to tend to the rest of the meal, the guests, or just put your feet up for a bit and enjoy the cooking smells.
How to BBQ a Whole Chicken on a Rotisserie
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