Description
A whole chicken flattened and roasted or grilled with a sweet smoky glaze, resulting in juicy meat and crispy skin. This fast-cooking dish offers deep flavor and a sticky finish, perfect for family gatherings or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
1 (4.5 lb) whole chicken (neck and giblets removed; organic preferred)
1 ½ tsp garlic powder (use granulated garlic; not garlic salt)
1 tsp smoked paprika (sub sweet paprika + pinch liquid smoke)
1 ½ tsp kosher salt (reduce if using fine salt)
1 tsp ground black pepper (freshly ground recommended)
2–3 tbsp vegetable or light olive oil (neutral oil like avocado works too)
2 cups sweet BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought; choose no-alcohol version)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in middle or heat grill to 375-400°F
Remove chicken from packaging and pat dry
Cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it
Flip chicken breast side down and press down on breastbone until flat
Tuck wing tips under or snip them off
Mix garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper into a rub
Rub seasoning mixture under skin and over entire chicken
Brush with oil
Place on a rimmed baking sheet or grill
Roast or grill for 25 minutes
Brush with half the BBQ sauce and cook for another 15 minutes
Brush remaining sauce and cook 10 minutes more until caramelized
Let rest 10 minutes before slicing
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to check 165°F in thighs
For no-alcohol BBQ sauce, look for ‘alcohol-free’ labeling
Increase sauce quantity if extra glaze is desired
Adjust seasoning if using pre-cooked chicken
Let chicken sit at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking for even doneness
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Oven or Grilled
- Cuisine: American BBQ
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 breast and 1 thigh
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 125mg