It's easy to learn how to BBQ a whole chicken without having a rotisserie attachment for your grill and get that great tasty tender chicken falling off the bone. Cooking a whole chicken on the grill is another set and forget meal. It takes time, but most of that time you don't need to be doing anything about it.
Start with the whole bird. Grilling a whole chicken has a different flavor than cooking boneless pieces. The bones help the meat cook more evenly and add their own flavor. I don't season my whole chicken very much because I enjoy it's own distinct taste. Rinse the chicken under the cold tap. Remove the giblets and neck from the body cavity if they're there and any obvious excess fat that pulls off easily. I save the fat and giblets and cook them up separately for my kitties as a special treat.
\"How To BBQ\"
Rinse the whole bird and pat dry. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears remove the backbone. Sounds more difficult than it is. Be brave and slice into the back and just do it. The only way you can screw up is to cut yourself, avoid that and you're golden. The first time is the hardest and if it's not pretty, it'll taste just fine. Trim back any ribs poking out and flatten the bird by bending the breasts and thighs back.
At this point you can either apply a spice rub or marinate the chicken. This is where your flavor comes from and you get to decide if your chicken is going to be spicy or garlicky or sweet or whatever your tastebuds are craving. This is the fun part where you add your own touch. A rub should sit for no more than 3 hours and a marinade should cover the chicken for at least 4 hours.
Set the grill with medium heat. Place the chicken bone side down and meat side up for the first 10 minutes for the bones to start to cook and transfer their heat and flavor to the rest of the meat. Now start flipping the chicken at regular intervals over a medium fire. If you used a marinade you can baste the chicken with the reserved marinade during cooking. Cooking time will be dependent on the heat of the fire and the weight of the chicken. The chicken will be done when the meat thermometer reads 160 degrees and the thigh bone moves easily. Avoid piercing the chicken to see if it's done as you will lose all that juice you've been working so hard to create.
Once you understand how to BBQ a whole chicken on the grill, you see that it is indeed an easy job and can begin to experiment with the fun stuff of seasoning. Then the chicken will take on your own signature and you will enjoy this easy main dish over and over again.
How to BBQ a Whole Chicken Without a Rotisserie
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