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Whole Grilled Chicken

This whole grilled chicken is brined, then coated with lemon, rosemary, and garlic, and grilled to tender juicy perfection. Perfect for backyard barbecues or any other time you need to show off your grilling skills.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Additional Time
12 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
14 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 383 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cold water
  • 1/2 cup Diamond brand kosher salt
  • One (4- to 4 1/2-pound) chicken
  • 1/2 lemon sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic  finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Whisk together the water and salt in an 8-quart or larger container. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
  2. Soak the wood chips, if using, in water for 30 minutes.
  3. If using a charcoal grill, about 1 hour before grilling the chicken, set up your grill for indirect grilling (which basically means putting the pile of coals on one side and nothing on the other side). If using a gas grill, about 20 minutes before grilling the chicken, heat your grill to 250°F to 300°F (121°C to 149°C), or medium-low.
  4. Combine the lemon slices, rosemary, garlic, oil, and pepper in a food processor or mortar or molcajete or a heavy bowl and use a pestle or back of a wooden spoon to slowly but firmly mash the ingredients together until pulpy and mushy.
  5. Remove the chicken from the brine, rinse under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the lemon mixture onto the skin and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  6. Place the chicken on the grill directly over the heat. Grill 7 minutes or until grill marks and some charring appear. Turn the chicken over and grill for 7 more minutes.
  7. Using tongs, move the chicken to the cool side of the grill. If using wood chips, sprinkle them over the hot coals or fashion them into a packet made of aluminum foil and pierce the packet several times. Grill, covered with grill lid, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 165°F (74°C). (A meat thermometer is essential when cooking a whole bird. The best place to check the chicken’s internal temperature is where the thigh meets the body of the bird. Insert the thermometer deep into the meat, close to the bone.)
  8. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it stand 10 minutes before carving and serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 383kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 29g (45%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Monounsaturated Fat 14g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 109mg (36%) Sodium 115mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 0.3g (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 383

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 383kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 29g 45%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 14g 70%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 115mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 0.3g 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.