Ya’ll know I love my Big Green Egg, right? We’ve had it for close to a year, and have been planning on cooking a beer can chicken forever, but a friend told us to try a spatchcock chicken instead. That sounded great and all, but I thought, “What in the world is a spatchcock chicken?” He explained that it’s a chicken with the backbone cut out, that lays flat on the grill and tastes amazing and juicy…even better than beer can chicken. So, we thought, why not? Let me tell you guys…it turned out soooo much better than we thought…it truly is the juciest, most delicious chicken I’ve ever had. You don’t have to own a BGE to cook a spatchcock chicken either (although I love mine so much)…you can definitely use a charcoal grill or electric grill. Here is what you will need…
Start with a 3-4 lb. whole chicken. Feel free to cook more than one for sure. In fact, you could always use a bigger chicken, you will just have to grill it longer.
You will need to use either a pair of kitchen shears or a really sharp knife to cut the backbone out. Simply place your chicken breast side up, and cut along one side of the backbone. BE CAREFUL!
Once you have one side cut away, cut down the other side of the backbone and remove.
Turn your chicken over and push down on the middle until it lays flat. You have just spatchcocked your chicken…whoop!
Now you will want to season your chicken. This time I used my Dizzy Pig Dry Rub, but I can see using so many different rubs, like lemon pepper, sea salt and rosemary and so many more!
You will need to get your grill or smoker up to about 375 degrees Farenheit. Place the spatchcocked chicken flat on the grill grate and cook for one hour or until a meat thermometer registers 160 degrees Farenheit when stuck in the thickest part of the breast.
Once your chicken is finished, pull it off of the grill and let it rest for a few minutes so it will retain its juices.
You can use your poultry shears to cut the chicken into quarters or cut the pieces apart. I’m telling you…this will be your go to way to cook chicken from now on. I’m going to make a couple to shred and cut up for salads, sandwiches and soup! No more store bought rotisserie chickens for this girl!
p.s. The kiddos loved it too!!!
Can you only do this on a grill, or will the chicken retain its moisture in an oven also?
Hi, Deana! You can definitely do this in your oven. Here is a link to a post with those cooking instructions! http://www.marthastewart.com/953786/roast-spatchcocked-lemon-chicken
So you put chicken on grill skin side up and just leave it like that without ever turning it over?
Yes, the heat inside the smoker will brown the skin. You can always flip it if you want the skin to be cooked more.
Thanks for quick reply! Am making it as we speak. I love beer can chix so I’m sure this will be great with less cooking time.
Easy grill recipe , so tasty. Made for family., enjoyed by all. 4-11-17
I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it! xoxo Jess
Hi, I just wanted to point out that the instructions for the spatchcock chicken said to put the chicken breast side up and then cut out the back bone. You may want to correct this so no one cuts out the breast bone instead.
hi i cooked my spatchcock chicken in the char-broil big easy oiless turkey fryer,, iI marinated it in nandos medium sauce over night. let me tell you its the best dam chicken i have ever eaten bar none.