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14 Ways To Grill a Whole Chicken So That It’s Perfectly Juicy and Flavorful

Updated on July 03, 2026

Whole chickens aren't just for roasting in the oven. Head outdoors and fire up the grill—these summery takes yield great results every time.

Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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How to Grill a Whole Chicken

Grilled chicken is one of the best things you can hope to eat this summer. A whole bird on the grill? Even better! Juicy, smoky and crispy-skinned, it pleases a party of wing, breast and thigh lovers all in one go. There are lots of different methods—from the time-tested spatchcocking route to a genius Bundt pan hack—all of which will give you great results. With these whole grilled chicken recipes you'll be eating well, all summer long. Pro tip: Just as you do with a steak, let your chicken rest for 20 minutes or more for the juiciest results.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Grilled Spatchcocked Greek Chicken

We're big fans of spatchcocking — that's when the backbone of a chicken is removed and the chicken is flattened out. The beauty of this extra step is that all parts of the chicken finish cooking at about the same time, so no more dry breast meat!
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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Grilled Blackened Cajun Chicken

Cooked over indirect heat, this brined bird is full of flavor, thanks to a homemade seasoning of paprika, onion and garlic powders, oregano, thyme and cayenne. Don't be scared if the chicken blackens in some spots — that's the best part.
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Beer Can Chicken

Beer can chicken is a summertime classic — and this recipe makes it easy. You only need a handful of ingredients, all of which are probably in your kitchen right now.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Slow-Grilled Chipotle Chicken

Cooked low and slow over indirect heat, this smoky and spicy chicken makes a great filling for tacos. Pile each one with charred scallions, prepared salsa and your favorite toppings.
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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Grilled Whole Porchetta-Style Chicken

There's a little extra work needed up front for this recipe, but we promise that it's totally worth it. Find a butcher who is willing to debone your bird, or take the time to do it yourself. The finished dish is impressive, and leftovers can be sliced for sandwiches the next day.
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Photo: Mike Garten
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Grilled Soy Sauce Chicken

Soy sauce chicken is known for its mahogany skin and intense flavor, which comes from braising the bird in a soy sauce–flavored broth. Our grilled version has that same richness, but it’s spatchcocked so it cooks more evenly.

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Photo: Tara Donne
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Grilled Curry Chicken

A simple rub of curry powder, parsley, salt and pepper is all this spatchcocked chicken needs to grill up perfectly juicy and flavorful. Just be sure to plan ahead; the seasoned chicken needs to rest in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

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Soy-Garlic-Glazed Cola Can Chicken

Crack open a can of cola for a more kid-friendly version of beer can chicken. Pour half of the cola into the soy-based marinade to bring it a distinctive sweetness, and later sit the chicken over the can so that it sits upright.
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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Grilled Bundt-Pan Provencal Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

Get double duty out of your Bundt pan by using it as a stand for chicken and as a roasting pan for potatoes. That way, they will cook at the same time on the grill.
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The Best Grilled Chicken

We simplified the grilled chicken cooking process with this recipe, which leads to a smoky, super-juicy bird that is filled with the bright flavors of lemon and herbs. We spatchcocked a whole chicken to increase the surface area that makes contact with the grill and used a generous amount of herb butter to help it self-baste as it gently cooks over indirect heat.

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Grilled Spatchcock Firecracker Chicken

We've transformed the restaurant classic into the ultimate salty-sweet cookout main course. Cutting the chicken in half and grilling it flat gets you super-crispy skin and a shortened cook time.

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Grilled Chicken With Redeye BBQ Sauce

It’s tough to beat a tender, juicy barbecue chicken. But, we think Michael Symon’s done it — by kicking up the tangy sauce with the toasty flavors of coffee.

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Smoked Whole Chicken with Honey BBQ Sauce

You won’t believe the flavor that’s packed into this chicken. Best of all, you don’t need a smoker. You can achieve the same results on your grill if you make a few wood chip foil packets.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken with Harissa

You’ll never have mediocre grilled chicken when you use yogurt in your marinade. It makes the chicken perfectly tender and adds a nice, creamy richness to it. Combined with the smoky, charred flavor of the grill, it gives you a summery main that’s guaranteed to impress.

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