A New Favorite Chicken Dinner, with an Italian Twist!I’m thrilled to kick off the 2022 PWWB Annual Grilling Series with a delicious seasonal twist on a classic chicken dinner. Grilled spatchcock chicken is perfect for easy summertime entertaining or weekend grilling, & it’s a whole lot easier to make than you’d ever guess – I promise! Our tried & true grilling tips will help you make the perfect grilled chicken every time! Show
The flavors of this grilled spatchcock chicken recipe are inspired by Tuscany, one of central Italy’s more well-known regions. While wine & pasta probably come to mind first when you think of Tuscany, it’s also a famously meat-loving & grill-loving region. This particular recipe takes classic Italian ingredients like garlic, fresh rosemary, & olive oil, & adds them to the grill to create an epic Tuscan-style chicken dinner. This Tuscan grilled chicken recipe consists of 4 simple steps: spatchcocking the chicken, brining it in buttermilk, rubbing it with a Tuscan-inspired marinade, & cooking it to perfection on the grill. While it might sound like a lot, each step is mostly hands-off & plays a key role in seasoning the chicken to ensure the meat is nice & tender. It’s the perfect way to kick off grilling season! Tuscan Grilled Chicken Recipe HighlightsI have a feeling you’ll make this Tuscan grilled spatchcock chicken recipe all summer long. It’s…
The best flavors of Tuscany, right in your backyard! ♡ Read on to learn more about how to make Tuscan-Style Grilled Spatchcock Chicken, or jump straight to the recipe & get cooking! Recipe Overview: 3 Essentials for a Tuscan-Inspired Grilled ChickenThere are 3 essential components of this Tuscan grilled chicken recipe (click for shortcuts within this post!):
How to Spatchcock a Chicken for the GrillIf you’ve been around PWWB for a while, then this probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard me hype up spatchcock chicken. Spatchcocking is one of my favorite ways to prepare poultry because it yields the absolute best results. It just so happens to be the secret to an absolutely perfect grilled whole chicken! Full Recipe Directions, including step-by-step photos, are included in the Recipe Card, below. What is spatchcock chicken?Spatchcocking is a simple technique for butchering poultry that removes the backbone of the bird, allowing it to lay completely flat as it grills. You may also know of a spatchcock chicken as a butterfly chicken – they are the same thing! Why spatchcocking is the best way to prepare a chicken?A flat chicken is amazing for grilling because it allows the chicken to cook WAY more evenly & in MUCH less time. This is especially important since grill temperatures are a little harsher & less consistent. No dry chicken…ever! 🙌🏼 How to spatchcock a chicken?The key to a spatchcock chicken is to remove its backbone. Use sharp kitchen shears to cut out the backbone of the chicken, then stretch open the chicken cavity & apply pressure until it lies nice & flat. Ready to get spatchcocking?Shop This PostKitchen Shears Microplane Buy Now →Mixing Bowls Buy Now →Instant-Read Meat Thermometer Buy Now →Grilling Tongs Buy Now →Grilling Spatula Buy Now →The First Layer of Flavor: Buttermilk BrineSoaking the spatchcock chicken in a buttermilk brine is an optional-yet-encouraged extra step. Trust me, it’s worth the effort! Be sure to plan ahead – your Tuscan grilled chicken will be extra amazing because of it. Full Recipe Directions, including step-by-step photos, are included in the Recipe Card, below. What does it mean to brine a chicken? ⇢ Brining submerges the chicken in a salty liquid (aka brine) to season the meat throughout. Brining is also popular with other types of meat prone to drying – you’ve probably heard of it if you’ve ever prepared a Thanksgiving turkey! What does brining chicken do? ⇢ Brining is a game-changer! Submerging the spatchcock chicken in the buttermilk brine injects a ton of flavor into the meat, just like a marinade. It also adds moisture which makes the chicken extra juicy & tender. How to brine your Tuscan grilled chicken. ⇢ Brining your spatchcock chicken is super easy, but it does require some advanced planning. To brine the chicken, mix buttermilk, salt, smashed garlic, & fresh rosemary in a resealable bag, large bowl, or airtight container. Then add the spatchcock chicken. You can brine the chicken for up to 24 hours – the longer the better! Quick Buttermilk SubstitutesNeed buttermilk? ⇢ While you can easily buy buttermilk at the grocery store, you can also make your own at home! Simply mix a few tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice into 2 scant cups of milk to create a similar creamy tanginess as the real deal. This kitchen hack is handy in a pinch or if you simply don’t need to use a whole container of buttermilk. The Second Layer of Flavor: Tuscan Grilled Chicken MarinadeOnce spatchcocked & brined, the last step of prepping the chicken is to rub it in a Tuscan chicken marinade. This Tuscan-inspired marinade is my go-to – it delivers a mega-flavorful punch despite using pretty simple & straightforward ingredients. Full Recipe Directions, including step-by-step photos, are included in the Recipe Card, below. What you’ll need for this Tuscan marinade recipe. ⇢ This Tuscan-inspired marinade tastes light, bright, herbaceous, & garlicky thanks to a combination of olive oil, rosemary, oregano, garlic, & lemon. Since the ingredients list is so simple, it’s super important to use a good quality olive oil. The fruity-peppery flavor of a nice extra virgin olive oil makes a huge difference in the flavor of this marinade. This olive oil is our go-to. How to marinate your grilled Tuscan chicken. ⇢ Remove the chicken from the buttermilk brine at least an hour before grilling & pat the bird as dry as possible. Then mix up the Tuscan marinade. Use your hands to massage the marinade on the chicken, working between the skin & the meat to season every bit. Don’t be shy – just go for it! Suggested marinating time. ⇢ The spatchcock chicken can soak up the Tuscan marinade for up to 48 hours. The longer you let the chicken marinate, the better it’ll taste. If you’re in a rush, then 1 hour will also do the trick! (Note: Be sure to keep the chicken refrigerated if you’re marinating it for longer than 1 hour!) How to Grill Spatchcock ChickenThe trickiest part of learning to grill a whole chicken is striking the perfect balance between juicy & crispy. The goal is to cook the chicken all the way through without drying it out & also create beautifully crispy chicken skin without burning it. It may seem like an impossible task, but it’s really a lot simpler than it seems! The secret to a perfectly grilled whole chicken? The 2-Zone Method. This grilled spatchcock chicken recipe uses 2-zone grilling, the secret to grilling up perfectly juicy and deliciously crispy chicken. Having 2 different heat zones allows you to cook the chicken in 2 phases. Start by cooking the chicken with gentle indirect heat before finishing over direct heat for plenty of delicious char. The grilling process is almost entirely inactive – perfect for backyard entertaining or lazy Sunday afternoons! If you’ve never grilled with indirect heat before, don’t panic. It’s the simplest thing. Full Recipe Directions, including step-by-step photos, are included in the Recipe Card, below. 1 Light the grill with 2 zones of heat. Preheat your grill by creating one zone of direct high heat & a second zone of indirect heat (aka the 2-zone grilling method). If you have a gas grill, simply light half of its burners to the highest setting. If you have a charcoal grill, distribute the lit charcoal to one side of the grill. The half of the grill over the heat source is in the direct high heat zone, while the other half is in the indirect heat zone. 2 Grill the chicken with indirect heat. Start the chicken over the indirect heat zone so it can cook gently through as the hot air circulates. Place the chicken skin side facing up & close the lid to cook. Check the chicken every 15 minutes to rotate & promote even cooking. The goal is to get the internal temperature of the chicken up to 160 degrees F. This step can take as little as 30 minutes & as long as 1 hour depending on your grill & the size of your spatchcock chicken. 3 Finish the chicken over direct heat. Once the chicken is nearly cooked through, move it to the direct heat zone to give it crave-worthy char! Flip the chicken so the skin comes into contact with the grill grates & cook for a couple minutes, just until it’s as crispy as you like. Still unsure about 2-zone grilling? ⇢Be sure to check out this post for more information! Alternate Grilling Method: Tuscan Brick Grilled ChickenWhile I was testing this recipe I also looked into a classic grilling method known as Tuscan brick grilling. The idea is to use a brick to press the chicken even flatter on the grill for the ultimate char. Since a spatchcock chicken lays nice & flat on its own & gets a great char with 2-zone grilling, I skip the added equipment. Feel free to give it a try if you’d like! *More Grilling Tips & Tricks
Grilling doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating, we’ll show you how! We’ve created a completely FREE 5 Day Grilling Series dedicated to help you be your most confident self behind the grill this summer. We’ll guide you through Grilling 101 Tips & Tricks (& as a bonus, we’ll send you our BONUS 15 Grilling Marinades download right away!). Sign up now! Let’s make this your best grilling season yet! 🙌🏼 🔥 Buon Appetito! Serving Your Tuscan Grilled Chicken…Create a complete grilled spatchcock chicken dinner with a few fresh & flavorful sides that stick with the Tuscan-inspired theme. Here are some favorites that pair well with the Italian flavors of Tuscan grilled chicken:
I can’t wait for you to try this Tuscan-Style Grilled Spatchcock Chicken! It’s the perfect summer recipe, & I think you’ll love it just as much as we do. If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your PWWB creations! Love a Grilled Chicken Dinner?We’ve got you covered! 🙌🏼 Be sure to try the Best-Ever Grilled BBQ Chicken, Best-Ever Grilled Chicken Wings, Grilled Bruschetta Chicken, or Quick & Easy Grilled Lemon Chicken next. ♡ Happy grilling!
Tuscan-Style Grilled Spatchcock Chicken
DescriptionIf there’s one thing you learn to grill this summer, make it grilled whole chicken. If you’re new to grilling, this may seem intimidating but trust me – it’s a lot simpler than it sounds. The grill does all the work! There are 3 secrets to the perfect grilled whole chicken. You have to spatchcock it, soak it in a delicious brine or marinade (in this case, both!), & slowly cook it with 2-zone grilling. This particular grilled spatchcocked chicken (butterflied chicken) is inspired by Tuscany, a region in central Italy famous for its grill-loving & meat-loving food culture. Soak the chicken in a garlic & rosemary-infused buttermilk brine to ensure the meat is super tender & seasoned all throughout, then rub it down with a Tuscan-inspired marinade made with plenty of rosemary, garlic, & bright lemon. The Tuscan grilled chicken cooks up perfectly thanks to 2-zone grilling. (Learn more here!) Simply let it cook gently & slowly with indirect heat until it’s just about cooked through, then finish it off over direct heat for crave-worthy char. Grilled spatchcock chicken cooks up perfectly every time – super tender & juicy throughout, with extra-delicious crispy skin. (For extra wow-factor, toss some lemons on the grill for serving!) Tuscan grilled chicken is great for lazy summertime Sunday dinners & backyard entertaining alike. An easy, versatile, & always-satisfying grilled meal – the perfect way to kick off grilling season!
for the buttermilk brine:
InstructionsChicken Prep: Spatchcocking is a poultry butchering technique in which the poultry’s spine is removed so the poultry lays completely flat during the cooking process, which facilitates faster & more even cooking. It’s the best way to grill whole chicken! While you can ask your butcher to spatchcock the chicken for you, it’s also very simple to do at home with a pair of sharp kitchen shears. I like to spatchcock chicken a day before I plan on grilling it, leaving the chicken to soak a buttermilk brine, which results in seriously juicy & flavorful grilled whole chicken. Here’s what you’ll do:
Tuscan-Style Grilled Spatchcock Chicken:
Notes
Keywords: whole grilled chicken, lemon herb grilled chicken recipe, grilled spatchcock chicken Recipe by Jess Larson, Plays Well With Butter | Photography by KJ & Company, Kate Poskochil Follow along with Plays Well With Butter on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest for more easy, modern recipes & fun! Ready to Hit the Grill?If this all still feels new to you, I encourage you to head over to Grilling 101, a compilation of tips & tricks for all of the grilling basics – everything from how to light your grill to how to clean your grill. All this talk about grilling have you feelin’ ready to hit the grill? Me too! Be sure to check out this post for my 15 go-to marinades you need this grilling season. At our house, a good marinade is at the heart of grilling season. I’m positive these marinades will be on repeat at your house this summer! For even more grilled goodness, be sure to check out all of our Grilling & Smoking recipes. & lastly! Be sure to give @playswellwithbutter a follow on Instagram – I’ll be teaching you how to grill up some goodness all summer long, & we have so much fun on Instagram! Want more grilling tips & recipes?You’re in the right place! 🙌🏼 Subscribe to have PWWB Grilling Series updates sent straight to your inbox. We’re sharing exclusive grilling tips, tricks, & sneak peeks to our email friends. Plus, you’ll be the first to know about all of PWWB’s new grilling recipes all summer long. Subscribe below! How long does a Spatchcock take on BBQ?Cook the chicken for 20-30 minutes over a medium heat, turning often, until the skin is golden and the meat on the thigh is cooked through to the bone. Baste it with the remaining marinade at regular intervals and transfer it to a cooler part of the griddle if it looks like burning before it cooks through.
Do you flip spatchcock chicken?It's important to flip your spatchcock chicken on the grill so it cooks evenly and chars on both sides. ... . Your chicken will cook differently depending on your grill, temperature and size of your chicken. ... . This recipe takes about an hour, from start to finish.. At what temperature do you grill a butterflied chicken?Sprinkle the chicken with the salt and pepper, and refrigerate for 8 hours to 24 hours. (If you don't have time to salt early, salt the chicken right before it goes on the grill.) Set the grill for indirect high heat: Set up the grill to cook on indirect high heat (450°F or higher internal temperature).
How do you cook a spatchcock chicken on a Weber grill?At the barbecue:
Place a drip pan on the charcoal grate. Place the roast holder on the cooking grate – in the middle. Brush some sauce over the chicken and place it bone side down on a roast holder. Put the lid on the barbecue and cook the chicken for 45-50 minutes, basting with sauce during the last 15-20 minutes.
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