4 Different yet Simple Ways to Grill a Whole Chicken

Everyone knows how to make a basic grilled chicken; however, while you are stuck at home because of the pandemic, you might feel like trying different grilled chicken to keep your backyard barbecue brunches exciting.

A chicken can be made in hundreds of different ways; however, in today’s post, I am going to be focusing on some simple, yet different and delicious grilled chicken recipes that can be easily made at home, without the requirement of any special equipment or ingredients.

Therefore, here are four of my personal favorite simple yet different grilled chicken recipes. Check them out.

Soy-Garlic Glazed Cola Can Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: up to 3 hours

Cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• A whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
• Coca Cola (1 can)
• Garlic (6 cloves)
• Fresh ginger (4 large peeled coins)
• Soy sauce (1 cup)
• Sake or dry sherry (1/4 cup)
• Brown sugar (4 tbsp)
• Cornstarch (2 tsp)
• White vinegar (1/4 cup)
• Fresno peppers (3)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnishing)

Instructions:

• Start by marinating the chicken in a large zip lock bag. Put the whole chicken, half a can of Coca-Cola, a couple of smashed ginger coins and garlic cloves, and half a cup of soy sauce in the bag. Set aside for at least two hours in the refrigerator.
• Now, move towards making the glaze for the chicken. Take a small saucepan and add the sake, a quarter cup of water, the remaining soy sauce and garlic cloves, three tablespoons of brown sugar, and a couple of smashed ginger coins. Cook for five minutes, and then stir in the cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water. Cook for another minute and remove from the heat. Add a teaspoon of vinegar, and let the glaze cool down.
• Now remove the chicken from the refrigerator and pat it dry. Allow it to reach room temperature before cooking.
• Fire up the grill, lightly sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper, and insert the half cola can in its cavity. Grill the chicken until the internal temperature registers at 140 degrees F.
• About 35-40 minutes will be more than enough. Search online to find the best pellet smokers and grills to make grilling chicken easier for you.
• Let the chicken rest for a while, then glaze it and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top. Now, carve and dig in.

Grilled Whole Porchetta-Style Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: 45 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• Garlic (3 cloves)
• Lemon zest (1 lemon)
• Fresh rosemary leaves (1 tbsp)
• Fennel seeds (1 tbsp)
• Ground coriander (2 tsp)
• Crushed red pepper (1/2 tsp)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Ground chicken or pork (1/2 pound)
• Plain breadcrumbs (2 tbsp)
• Milk (2 tbsp)
• Roughly chopped fresh parsley (2 tbsp)
• A whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds)

Instructions:

• Mix the garlic, fennel seeds, lemon zest,1/4 teaspoon black pepper, rosemary, coriander, and red pepper in a small bowl.
• In another medium-sized bowl. Mix the ground chicken with the breadcrumbs, Milk, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt. A tablespoon of the spice mixture and the Milk.
• Take the butterflied chicken; rub its exterior with olive oil, and the spice mix.
• Put the ground chicken mixture inside the butterflied chicken, close and tie with some kitchen twine, to make a small meatloaf. Ties the legs and wings to keep the chicken tightly closed.
• Fire up the grill and cook the chicken until 165 degrees F in the thickest part. Around 1 hour and 20 minutes on medium heat should get the job done.
• Let the bird rest for at least 20 minutes before carving in.

Grilled Spatchcocked Greek Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: 2 hours

Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• A whole spatchcocked chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
• Extra-virgin olive oil (1cup)
• Lemon juice ( 2 lemons)
• Zest (1 lemon)
• Garlic (3 cloves)
• Chopped fresh oregano (2 tbsp)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Scallions (2)
• Roughly chopped fresh dill 1/4 cup)

Instructions:

• In a medium-sized bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, oregano, and lemons’ zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put the chicken, along with the marinade, in a large zip lock bag and refrigerate for at least an hour.
• After an hour, take the chicken out of the refrigerator, pat it dry and let it come to room temperature.
• Fire up the grill, and place the chicken on it, with the skin side up. Cook, until it registers at 150-160 in the thickest part. About 50 minutes should be enough.
• Now move the chicken to the direct heat to char the skin. About 3-4 minutes is enough.
• Let the bird rest for at least 20 minutes before carving and eating.
• Stir the dill, and reserved scallions into the marinade and drizzle over the chicken.

Slow-Grilled Chipotle Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• Chipotle in adobo (2 tbsp)
• Smoked paprika (2 tsp)
• Honey (1 tsp)
• Dried oregano (1 tsp)
• Ground cumin (1/2 tsp)
• Garlic (2 cloves)
• Lime juice and zest (1)
• A whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
• Prepared salsa (for serving)

Instructions:

• Take a small bowl and thoroughly mix the chipotle and sauce, honey, oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, lime zest and juice, and garlic. Add some vegetable oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Rub the chicken with the marinade, and set aside for at least an hour.
• Fire up the grill, and place the chicken on it, with the breast side up. Cover the chicken and cook it while rotating periodically. When the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, remove the chicken from the grill. About 1 hour and 30 minutes should be enough.
• Let the chicken rest for at least twenty minutes, covered with aluminum foil before you carve it.
• Serve the chicken with some lime wedges and salsa.

All these recipes can be enjoyed with French fries, mashed potatoes, and stir-fried vegetables to sum up all of the above.

Author’s bio:

Taylor is a culinary arts student, and he loves to cook. He learned cooking from his mother when he was a child and had been only getting better ever since. Recently, he participated in his local food, making competition and won. To find out more about him, head onto  https://theelectricsmoker.com.