Grill a whole chicken is one of the simplest and most delicious ways to cook a bird, but it can be intimidating for first-time grillers. By starting with a simple cut of chicken (like this super-easy 24-hour marinade from Delish), you won’t have to worry about overcooking or undercooking your meat. And by following these step-by-step instructions, you’ll get that tender, juicy meat every time.
Place onion pieces on the bottom of the inner pan.
Pour about 1/2 cup of onion pieces into the inner pan, then spread them out evenly. The onions will provide some moisture that helps keep your chicken from sticking to the grill as you cook it. The amount of onion you use is a matter of preference: if you like more onion flavour in your chicken, use more; if not, use less or skip this step altogether. Any variety will work (reds do best) but make sure to choose onions that are not too big, or they will fall through the grill grate and into the coals below!
Add whole chicken, breast side down.
Heat your grill to medium-high. Place the chicken breast side down on a large sheet of foil. Fold it into a packet and seal it tightly.
Place it on the hot grill for about 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F/73 C at its thickest point. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before carving into eight pieces (2 breasts with legs attached; 2 thighs).
Further reading: Broasted chicken: the perfect meal for any occasion
Sprinkle with fine sea salt and black pepper.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A whole chicken that is at room temperature and not frozen.
- A medium-sized bowl filled with water and ice cubes. (This will allow you to wash the chicken.)
- A roasting pan, large enough to hold the whole bird. (You may also use a baking dish.)
Before starting, check that your grill has been preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or higher if it has yet to reach this temperature, set aside enough time for it to reach its maximum heat level before cooking your chicken. To make sure things are going smoothly, give yourself an extra five minutes beyond what you expect it will take for your grill to heat up properly—you don’t want any surprises!
Pour coconut milk into the inner pot.
In your inner pot, pour the coconut milk. Coconut milk is a creamy, rich liquid made from the meat of a mature coconut. It’s used to make curries, desserts and soups. Coconut milk is high in saturated fat and low in protein.
Further reading: The Perfect Chicken Shawarma Meal Plan
Add curry powder.
Two tablespoons of curry powder are the right amount for a whole chicken, but you can use more or less if you like. If you’re using store-bought curry powder, go ahead and add it straight to the marinade. If you want to make your own blend at home (which I recommend), mix together equal parts coriander seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, ginger root powder and garlic powder—or whatever combo sounds good to you! Store in an airtight container for up to six months.
Spread butter over the chicken.
Next, brush or spread butter evenly over the entire surface of your chicken. You can use a brush for this or use your hand with your fingers extended to cover more area. The butter helps seal in the juices and adds flavour, which makes grilled chicken taste better than fried chicken!
Set time to 25 minutes, seal and start cooking.
This time is just the right amount of time to grill a whole chicken thoroughly without drying it out. This method only works if you have enough liquid in your pot; if you don’t, add some water using your Instant Pot’s water level marks on the inside of the pot as a guide.
You also want to make sure that there isn’t too much room between the bottom of your chicken and its rack (if there is), so make sure you fill any gaps with sliced vegetables or other things that will help keep your bird from touching anything but air. Also, double-check that everything is sealed safely before starting; nothing worse than having one less-than-delicious dinner because you accidentally left something open!
Add chopped broccoli during the last 10 minutes of cooking time.
Add the chopped broccoli during the last 10 minutes of cooking time. When done, do a quick release and remove the lid carefully not to burn yourself on the steam. The chick is now ready to be eaten!
Carve and enjoy with your favourite rice!
- There you have it! You’ve just grilled the perfect whole chicken. Now that your family knows how to grill a whole chicken, they will be prepared for dinner parties and nights when everyone wants to eat.
- The beauty of this recipe is that it can be served with many types of side dishes. The options are endless: mashed potatoes, rice pilafs, and tacos are just some examples.
- To make things easy on yourself, you can prepare a simple curry sauce in advance so that all you have to do is pop it into the oven while cooking your other dishes at the same time!
Who would have thought you could get this flavorful meal in thirty minutes?
It’s a quick and easy meal to make, but it can be very flavorful. You can use any chicken or turkey, and you can use any kind of rice. If you want to add vegetables, do so when you add the chicken back in at the end. And if you are still determining what kind of curry powder would go well with your meal, experiment! There are many different options out there that’ll enhance the flavour of this dish while adding an extra kick to it.
Conclusion
Sure, you will love to grill a whole chicken is intimidating. But if you follow these steps and keep in mind the tips we’ve given you above, there’s no reason why it can’t be easy!
