Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken: Spatchcocked Whole Chicken

Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken: Spatchcocked Whole Chicken

Spatchcocked whole chicken glazed and grilled flat on the grates
Photo via Unsplash

Spatchcocking might be the single best trick for getting the best BBQ glaze for chicken onto a whole bird evenly, since flattening the chicken means every part of the skin gets roughly the same distance from the heat at the same time.

Why Spatchcocking Solves Whole Chicken's Biggest Problem

A traditional whole roasted or grilled chicken cooks unevenly - the legs and thighs need more time than the breast, which often ends up dry by the time the dark meat catches up. Removing the backbone and pressing the bird flat evens out that cook time dramatically and gives a glaze a consistent surface to set on.

Building the Glaze

Combine Garlic Pepper Spread with a spoonful of Classic Jalapeño Spread, warmed together with butter until glossy and pourable.

Step-by-Step: Grilled Spatchcocked Chicken

  1. Remove the backbone from a 4-5 pound chicken using kitchen shears, then press flat.
  2. Season generously under and over the skin with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Set up a two-zone grill and place the chicken skin-side up over indirect heat.
  4. Grill covered at around 375°F until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 160°F, about 45-50 minutes.
  5. Warm 1/2 cup Garlic Pepper Spread with 2 tablespoons Classic Jalapeño Spread and a pat of butter.
  6. Brush a generous, even coat of glaze across the entire bird.
  7. Move briefly over direct heat, skin-side down, for 2-3 minutes to set the glaze and add char.
  8. Pull once thighs reach 175°F and breast reaches 165°F, then rest 10 minutes before carving.

Why This Is the Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken Method for Beginners

Because the flattened shape cooks so evenly, spatchcocking removes most of the guesswork that trips people up with whole birds, making it one of the most forgiving ways to land the best BBQ glaze for chicken on your first attempt at a whole chicken.

Serving Suggestions

Carve as you would any roasted bird and serve with a simple side salad or roasted vegetables. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches the next day.

Shop Garlic Pepper Spread and Classic Jalapeño Spread at smokymountainspread.com to find the best BBQ glaze for chicken on your next whole bird.

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