Grilled whole chicken is easier to make than most people think! With the right flavor combination and grilling technique, you are good to go. This recipe includes an irresistible Mediterranean-style chicken marinade and a few grilling secrets you don't want to miss!
Be sure to read through and watch the video below.
If you're looking to pull out all the stops for an impressive barbecue, this grilled whole chicken is the answer!
Most people, including myself, opt for something like grilled chicken thighs or souvlaki. But my friend Adam who is our "grill guru" showed me that cooking a whole chicken on the grill is not that much harder.
Here is what you can expect from this easy recipe: whole chicken that is flavor-packed and juicy + perfectly crispy skin!
Sure, you need a little bit more time to cook a whole chicken on the grill, but it takes three main steps.
Three steps to the best grilled whole chicken
- Spatchcock
- Marinate
- Grill over indirect heat
Spatchcock Chicken Grill
Often times, cooking a whole chicken on the grill produces results that are less than exciting--overcooked and dry in some parts, or under-cooked in others.
The answer? Spatchcock!
We've talked about spatchcock chicken in detail before. It means to basically split or butterfly a chicken so that it is flattened. First, you'll remove the backbone, then break breastbone by pressing down on the wings to flatten the bird.
Spatchcock or butterflied chicken is ideal for grilling. By being able to lay the chicken flat on the grill, it easily chars and absorbs smoke’s flavor, and the skin will crisp up while the chicken remains nice and juicy on the inside.
Some supermarkets actually sell whole chicken already butterflied, and you can also ask your butcher to do it for you.
The chicken marinade
Now, let's talk flavor! It's all in the magical Mediterranean-style marinade.
For grilling a whole chicken, rather than a yogurt chicken marinade, I go for a garlic and citrus marinade with quality extra virgin olive oil and a combination of warm spices and bold herbs like oregano and thyme.
The olive oil in the marinade plays a big role in imparting color and helping the chicken skin crisp up.
Here's what's in the marinade (exact measurements in the print-friendly recipe below):
- Extra virgin olive oil. I used Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil.
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons.
- Dry oregano
- Fresh thyme
- Coriander
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic cloves. Fresh garlic cloves are best here. I used 12 garlic cloves, peeled and minced.
Tip: For best flavor, allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours before grilling.
How long does it take to grill whole chicken?
We used an outdoor gas grill for this recipe. Once spatchcocked, our grilled chicken will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour over indirect heat.
While the grill is heated to 400 degrees F, the burner (or burners) directly below the chicken will be turned off, the other burners surrounding it will be on. That's what we mean by indirect heat here (be sure to watch the video below to see exactly how Adam places the chicken on the grill).
Why indirect heat? Grilling whole chicken over indirect heat is the secret to juicy, well-cooked chicken. The indirect heat essentially roasts the chicken to perfect doneness without dealing with flare-ups, burnt chicken skin, or underdone meat.
How to grill a whole chicken?
Remember to have already spatchcocked the chicken (as detailed earlier) or you can ask the butcher to do that bit for you! Then follow these steps (print-friendly recipe and video below):
1) Season the chicken well. I like to salt the chicken first on all sides with kosher salt, and it's important to get underneath the skin as well with some salt.
TIP: You can even do this step one-night in advance and let the chicken air-chill in the fridge to allow the salt to season and tenderize the chicken.
2) Marinade the chicken. Mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, spices, herbs, and loads of fresh garlic in a small bowl. Whisk to combine well. Apply the marinade particularly underneath the chicken skins and all over. Set the chicken in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours to allow the marinade a chance to impart flavor.
3) Grill over indirect heat. Preheat gas grill to 400 degrees F (grates oiled). Place the chicken on the grill and turn off the burner or burners directly below it, leaving the burners around it on (so the chicken will grill over indirect heat). Grill for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the chicken's internal temprature at the thickest part reaches 165 degrees F. You'll see in the video below, my friend Adam uses a meat thermometer similar to this one (affiliate link).
Tip: Check every 15 minutes, and if the chicken looks browned on one side, rotate it at about 90 angle. The side of the chicken closest to the direct heat will begin to brown quickly, rotation will allow for a more evenly browned skin.
4) Allow the chicken to rest before serving. Remove the whole grilled chicken from the heat and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before slicing to serve. This will allow the juices to redistribute, making for a more succulent, juicy chicken.
What to serve along?
To me, the perfect accompaniment to this whole barbecue chicken is a bit of my whipped toum (garlic sauce) to dip; I'm not shy with my garlic!
And there is no shortage of options for Mediterranean mezze, sides, and salads to complete this amazing barbecue me. I've made a few selections to get you started:
Salads: Panzanella, Shirazi salad; lemony arugula salad
Sides: Greek oven fries; asparagus with Mediterranean Salasa; or grilled vegetables!
A couple more whole chicken recipes you might like: Roast Spatchcock Chicken , Easy Oven Roasted Whole Chicken, and Baked Cornish Game Hen.
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Juicy Grilled Whole Chicken, Mediterranean-style
Equipment
- Gas grill
Ingredients
- Marinade
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon dry oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper more if you like spicy
- 12 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- For Chicken
- 3 ½ lb Whole Chicken
Instructions
- Spatchcock (butterfly) the chicken (or ask your butcher to do it). Place the chicken on a cutting board with its backbone facing you. Using a pair of sturdy kitchen shears like this one (affiliate link) cut out the backbone by cutting along both sides of the spine, and remove it. Push down on the breasts to flatten the chicken. Flip the bird over and remove the wing tips.
- Season the chicken. Pat chicken dry and season with salt all over, lift the skin and apply salt underneath.
- Mix the marinade. In a small bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients (olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, spices, and minced garlic cloves).
- Apply the marinade to the chicken. Place the chicken in a large dish (with sides so that the marinade does not spill). Apply the majority of the marinade underneath the chicken skins (this will ensure best flavor), and be sure to rub some of the marinade on the back side of the chicken as well. Keep the chicken flat with skin side up. Marinate in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours.
- Grill. Preheat an outdoor grill over medium-high (400 degrees F) and make sure to lightly oil the grates. Place the chicken over indirect heat (this means, the burner or burners directly below the chicken should be turned off, while the outer burners surrounding it should remain on. Watch the video to see how Adam does this). Cover and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the chicken's internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Check every few minutes, and if the chicken gains some color on one part, rotate as needed.
- Rest. Remove the chicken from the heat and set aside to rest for 10 minutes before slicing through to serve.
Video
Notes
- Cook's Tip: for best flavor, allow the chicken 2 to 4 hours to marinate in the fridge.
- Cook's Tip: Be sure to rotate the chicken as it grills.The side of the chicken closest to the direct heat will begin to brown quickly, rotation will allow for a more evenly browned skin.
- Serve with your favorite Mediterranean salad and sides like grilled vegetables, asparagus with Mediterranean salsa, Greek fries, and Toum garlic sauce.
- Visit our Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, all-natural and organic spices and more!
The only problem i have is that i can not manage even to buy a chicken for my self.
l love every step under taken to come up with a juicy barbecue chicken.
Thanks so much!
Love everything except cumin, which I cannot eat. Is there a replacement or can I just leave it out?
Hi, Al. It is only a small amount, so you can just omit it here.
Your written recipe says to be sure to turn the chicken, and Adam’s video advises not opening the grill. Which is the way to go? Also, can the chicken marinate over night? Thanks.
Hi, June. It's important to not leave the grill open the whole time while cooking the chicken, but opening the lid briefly to turn the chicken should be fine. And, yes, you can marinate the chicken overnight.
My husband made this chicken and it was moist and fresh tasting. I made the Greek fries and arugula salad as well as grilled corn on the cob with a compound butter I made. My favorite bite was the chicken with the arugula salad.
Sounds like you guys made quite the feast! I love it!!!
Great Chicken. vey Flavorful. My only challenge was keeping the grill btwn 350and400 F. When I would open the grill to turn chicken around the grill would cool down significantly, So after opening I would turn on the second burner until temps hit 400, and immediately shut off fire. I felt guilty, but it worked. 🙂
Sometimes you gotta to what you gotta do! Glad you enjoyed the wings!
It was yummy and super easy. The only issue I had was the thigh, which was facing up, did not cook to 165° by the time the breast hit 170°. I ended up putting the leg and thigh back on the grill for 15 minutes. Thanks for the recipe.
If you butterfly cut the entire chicken at the beginning (the step that says to Spatchcock), then every piece should be facing down.
The marinade was absolutely divine and that says a lot coming from an Iranian amateur chef. I love how juicy it turned out. The breast just melted. I used the leftover marinade with some chicken stock and zoodled zucchini with it. Perfect meal. Thank you for inspiring me with every single recipe! You're a gift.
Thank you, Haleh!
Can this recipe work on a Weber 22 inch charcoal kettle grill? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Hi, Paul. It is possible to do, but I'm not sure the results would be the same, as I've never tried. If you don't have a gas grill, another great option is our oven-roasted version: Spatchcock Chicken
Absolutely! Put coals on two separate sides, chicken in the middle. Probe temp in the breast and let kettle do it's thing!
I used your recipies for both grilled chicken and lamb which Worked very well on the grill after only 2 hours of marinad for each.. I deboned and pounded the leg of lamb and butteflied the chickend.I then tried to do both on the same grill. I did the chicken first in the center of the grill with the outside burneers on low until breast temp was 110. I then split lamb in 2 pieces and placed over the open flames and turned up the flame to sear the lamb a few minutes on each side. . I continually turned the chicken to be certain it did not burn. I then turned the grill under the lamb to a medium flame and cooked both meats watching carefully and monitoriing with a meat thermometer.. when the lamb reached 130, it was done. Curiously, the chicken reached 140 at about the same time and we were able to eat them together witout delay. both marinades worked well.
Thanks for sharing, Chester! Sounds like a wonderful feast :).
This is a keeper! Grilled it with hickory / apple to give it additional flavor and turned out fantastic! The marinate really makes it and will be a go to favorite from now on.
YUM! Thanks for sharing that idea!!!
Tried it tonight. It was soooo good! Even though it takes some time, it was so easy and delicious!
Thanks, Kaydee!
Today is Valentines Day so I grilled this chicken for dinner today on our little 3 burner grill from Walmart. My husband says it's the BEST chicken he has ever had !!!! It's almost bedtime and he is still raving about it !! The marinade made the chicken so flavorful AND juicy -- it will be a standby this summer-- can't wait to show off "my grilling skills" for company. I served it with Greek Lemony Spinach Rice, Tzatziki, sliced Tomatoes and marinated Artichokes.
I will have to invest in a thermometer like Adam has, my chicken took longer to cook because I kept opening the grill too often to check the bird's temperature. Thanks for a great recipe, it's a keeper.
Oh, Wonderful!! I'm so glad this worked for you, even on the little grill :). Thanks for sharing!!
This dish was so good! I Followed recipe exactly. I did brine the chicken the day before. The chicken presented so beautifully. Nice crispy, browned skin. I saved a little of the marinade mixture to use on some fresh Mahi filets. Yum.
Awesome, Kathy! Thanks so much for sharing
Tried this on charcoal kettle BBQ and added ahit of smoke with cherry wood. It was delicious, will certainly do it again. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing, Lawrie!
Can you make this on a charcoal grill and have the same results?
It is possible to do, but I'm not sure the results would be the same, as I've never tried. If you don't have a gas grill, another great option is our oven-roasted version: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/crispy-spatchcocked-chicken-recipe/.
Suzy,
Made this last night on our green egg and served it with Toom and the Shirazi salad and of course a lovely glass of wine. Outstanding !!!!! Was going to attach a picture for you but this reply will no let me attach a picture