The fastest way to cook tender, juicy chicken on the grill. Easy Spatchcocked Chicken is a whole chicken you can cook on the grill in half the time it takes to roast a whole chicken.
Using kitchen scissors or poultry shears, cut the chicken alongside the backbone and repeat with the opposite side to remove the bone.
Pull out the spine, flip the chicken over and press down on the breast bone of the chicken to flatten it. You will hear the bone snap and the chicken will easily flatten.
Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and place the bag in a bowl to prevent leakage.
Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and rotate it around to evenly distribute the marinade. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously all over with salt and pepper.
Allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to remove the chill and allow it to cook evenly.
Prepare a grill for medium indirect heat
Place the chicken skin-side up on the indirect side of the grill with the legs facing the hotter side.
Cover and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone) reads 150˚F (almost cooked through), about 50 minutes.
Move the chicken to the direct-heat side of the grill. After 2-3 minutes, flip the chicken over to crisp the skin side, another 3 or 4 minutes.
Check the temperature in the thigh to be sure it reads 165˚ F. If not, move the chicken back to the indirect side, cover and cook until the final temperature is reached.
Remove from the grill; let rest for 10-20 minutes before carving.
Notes
Chicken can be left in the marinade for up to 24 hours.All grills are different. Cooking times may vary, so adjust as needed.