One of the best things about having a barbeque is enjoying crisp grilled chicken. While some cut it into pieces to make cooking easier, whole chickens make a delectable presentation for guests. Grilling a whole chicken has long been a challenge for many. However, with a few winning techniques, you can learn how to grill chicken perfectly.
How to Prep Chicken
You have two options: cutting chicken into pieces, and grilling it whole. The benefit of cutting chicken is that you can trim the fat off the pieces easily. To prep whole chicken, on the other hand, needs a technique called “butterflying”. To butterfly, press the chicken flat on the kitchen top to expose its thighs and legs. Use sheers or kitchen scissors to cut out the spine.
From there, rub your blend of seasoning on the skin, under it and inside the chicken if you prefer. To make seasoning, you can combine spices, herbs, salt, butter and any flavor you enjoy. It is common knowledge that baby chickens are generally less flavorful than larger ones. Therefore, when shopping for a bird, choose the large variety.
How to Grill Chicken Whole
Knowing how to grill chicken whole is not as hard as you might think. Have your grill ready, keep all utensils within arm’s reach and follow these simple steps.
Prepare the Heat
Once you’ve prepped your chicken for the grill, prepare your fire. If you’re using coal, set it up so that one side is cooler than the other. To do this, you can pile more coals on one side of the grill than the other. Whichever type of grill you use, make sure there are two heat zones.
Setting up two heat zones is an important lesson in knowing how to grill chicken. This is because white meat cooks faster than meat on the legs. Another important reason is that you first have to cook meat and then crisp the skin under high heat later.
Use a Brick
Before you add the chicken to the grill, make sure it is clean. Use an onion or cleaning agent to wash the grill bars and oil them so chicken does not stick. Spread the bird over the grill with the breast on the coolest side and legs on the warmer. A recommended technique is to cover a brick with foil and place it on top of the chicken for more even cooking.
Grill Chicken Thoroughly
The biggest challenge for people who don’t know how to grill chicken is burning it. It can be hard to tell if chicken is thoroughly cooked or not. The best way to know if your meat is ready is when it doesn’t stick to the grill. Chicken oozes fat as it cooks, which makes it stick to the grill bars. Be patient and keep unruly flames under control. Remember to grill the meat first and crisp the skin last.
Grilling chicken, especially whole chicken, can be effortless. By mastering the basics of how to grill chicken, you can prepare crisp, tasty meals for you and your guests. Prep your bird using the butterfly method, season it, use a brick to cook it evenly, crisp it and enjoy.
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