Marinated Grilled Spatchcock Chicken

This Grilled Spatchcock Chicken is marinated in an herbaceous, citrusy, and insanely flavorful liquid then grilled to tender, slightly charred perfection!  This chicken is about to be the King of this year’s grilling season!  

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Grilling season is here y’all! Dust off the grill, bust out a spatula and don’t you dare forget the corny grilling apron. Seriously, if your apron doesn’t have a grill pun printed in a large font on the front, you’re not doing it right. Kidding, kidding!

I love cooking on a grill! Whether it’s steak, burgers, fish or even donuts, the slight char and smokiness is absolutely everything. Basically, if you’re looking for me in the next few months, I’m most likely hanging out by the grill.

Today, I’m kicking off the grilling season in a BIG way! I’ve got a big ‘ole chicken ready to be spatchcocked, marinated and finally, grilled. Using my famous spiced marinade, this chicken is going to be tender and packed with flavor down to the bone.

Care to kick off the season with me?

The Heart and Soul of this Marinated Grilled Spatchcock Chicken Recipe

Dietary Info: High-Protein, Gluten-Free Lean and mean, this chicken’s high in protein and free from gluten. It’s all about the bird and the flavor here, folks!

Key Flavor: Savory-Smoky-Sweet This chicken sings with a trio of flavors: the marinade’s savory notes, the grill’s smoky whispers, and a sweet little secret that seals the deal.

Skill Level: Intermediate Don’t worry, darlings, you’ve got this! A little experience goes a long way, but we believe in you and your grill skills!

Sweet Highlights:

Faster Cook Time: Spatchcocking means the chicken cooks evenly and quickly. Less waiting, more eating!

Juicier Meat: That marinade isn’t just for kicks; it ensures every bite is succulent and flavorful.

Crispy Skin: Grilling delivers beautifully crispy skin that’s the perfect contrast to the tender meat underneath.

Visual Wow: Bring this beauty to the table, and you’re guaranteed the oohs and aahs of everyone around. It’s a showstopper!

Versatile Sides: This dish pairs with almost anything. Slaw, potatoes, veggies – you name it, it complements it!

How to Spatchcock Chicken

There is a long list of kitchen tasks that seem more daunting than they actually are, spatchcocking is one of them. If you’ve got a pair of kitchen shears (or a sharp chef’s knife) and a whole chicken, you’re good to go! Removing the backbone of a chicken lets you open it like a book, flatten it and cook for a shorter period at a higher heat. Perfect for grilling!

Here’s a step by step breakdown:

1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken. Then, place it on a large cutting board.
2. Using poultry shears or a sharp chef’s knife, cut along each side of the backbone all the way down to the tail end.
3. Splay the chicken open with the skin side up.
4. Place the heel of your hands, one on top of the other, over the middle of the chicken.
5. Press down firmly until there is an audible crack from the breast-bone.

Voila! You have successfully spatchcocked a chicken! Give yourself a pat on the back, gloat about it to whoever is around and proceed with the recipe.

Ingredients

The ingredient list for this recipe might seem a bit long, maybe even a little intimidating. But, I promise you that the majority of the ingredients can be found right in your pantry! Just as we simplified the process of spatchcocking a chicken, I’m going to break down the key components to this recipe.

Check it out:

Lemon, Lime & Orange (Juice & Zest)

All three of these citrus fruits are tangy, sweet and oh so juicy! Fresh squeezed citrus is highly acidic and therefore, an incredible meat tenderizer. Not only will the juice and zest add refreshing flavor but, it will break down proteins in the chicken and make for more tender meat.

Fresh Cilantro & Oregano

If you’re looking for a more well-rounded, herbaceous marinade, fresh (not dried) herbs are the way to go. Both oregano and cilantro are aromatic and earthy. Their addition brightens up the whole dish.

Butter with Canola Oil

Made with simple ingredients, Butter with Canola Oil is rich, creamy and crazy tasty. The added canola oil is the unexpected warrior of this recipe. Just a couple tablespoons help to develop color on the skin of your chicken and layer in buttery, salty goodness.

Red Wine Vinegar

Because red wine vinegar is made with red wine, there is a fruit component that makes for a sweet, yet robust, marinade. The acidity also acts as a tenderizer the way the citrus does.

Spice Blend

Honestly, this marinade was most likely an excuse to use all of my favorite spices in one place. Paprika, cumin, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, cayenne, brown sugar and salt–all pungent, smoky pantry staples. When combined, they marry together perfectly and make for a uniquely flavorful chicken.

Marinade Variations

This recipe calls for a Spiced Marinade which is one of my absolute favorite seasoning blends. Sweet, fragrant, citrusy and herbaceous, this marinade makes for a tender, flavorful result.

But, if you’re anything like me, you like to mix things up every now and then. Feel free to introduce your own favorite marinade to this recipe. Try out a Ginger-Honey, Bold Barbecue or Spicy Cajun marinade variation. Just be sure to use this recipe as a measurement and cooking guideline!

Leftovers and Variations

Stop! Before you toss out any leftover meat and bones, consider putting them to good use! Reheating leftover chicken can be tricky because of its tendency to dry out. Instead of taking the risk, use the leftovers to make a homemade chicken stock (or broth) or make a ridiculously good soup.

Below are a few Grandbaby Cakes recipes that are perfect for turning leftovers into something new, fresh and delicious. Give ‘em a try!

• Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
• How to Make Chicken stock
• Southern Chicken and Dumplings
• Chicken Stuffed Shells

Best Chicken Recipes

Looking to change up this week’s dinner game? Kick that basic chicken recipe to the curb and replace it with something new and improved!

Here are a few of Grandbaby Cakes’ most exciting chicken dishes:

• Grilled Chicken Kabobs
• Crispy Skillet Baked Garlic Chicken
• Jerk Chicken
• Slow Cooker Rosemary Chicken
• Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken