Are you tired of waiting forever for a whole chicken to cook on the grill? Sick of ending up with dry breast meat and undercooked thighs? I’ve been there too! That’s why I’m obsessed with spatchcocking – it’s seriously a game-changer for your backyard barbecues
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about grilling spatchcock chicken, including the most important part – exactly how long it takes to get that perfect combination of crispy skin and juicy meat.
What is Spatchcock Chicken, Anyway?
Before we dive into timing, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. Spatchcock chicken (also called butterflied chicken) is a whole chicken with the backbone removed so it lays completely flat. This creates an even cooking surface that makes grilling much faster and more consistent.
The term might sound fancy, but the technique is pretty simple. All you’re doing is removing the backbone and flattening the bird. Trust me once you try it you’ll never go back to traditional whole chicken grilling!
The Big Question: How Long Does It Take?
The short answer: A spatchcock chicken typically takes about 30-45 minutes to grill at 375°F to 450°F.
That’s significantly faster than a traditional whole chicken, which could take 60-90 minutes or more! The exact timing depends on a few key factors, which I’ll break down for you:
Factors Affecting Grill Time
- Size of the chicken: A 3-5 pound chicken is ideal and will cook in about 30-45 minutes. Larger birds may take longer.
- Grill temperature: Higher heat means faster cooking, but risks burning the skin.
- Type of grill: Gas, charcoal, and pellet grills all behave differently.
- Grill setup: Direct vs. indirect heat makes a big difference (more on this later).
Recommended Grilling Times by Heat Level
I’ve experimented with different heat levels, and here’s what works best:
High Heat (450°F – 500°F)
- Total time: 35-45 minutes
- Process:
- Place chicken skin-side down first: 15-20 minutes
- Flip and continue grilling: 20-25 minutes
- Target internal temperature: 165°F in thickest part of breast
Medium Heat (375°F – 400°F)
- Total time: 45-60 minutes
- Process:
- Place bone-side down on grill: 25-30 minutes
- Flip and grill: 20-30 additional minutes
- Target internal temperature: Same 165°F
Two-Zone Grilling Method (My Favorite Approach)
The most reliable way to grill spatchcock chicken is using the “two-zone” method. Here’s how it works:
- Set up your grill with one hot zone (direct heat) and one cooler zone (indirect heat)
- Start cooking on the indirect heat side for about 30-40 minutes until internal temp reaches 145°F
- Finish on the direct heat side for 5-7 minutes until internal temp reaches 160°F
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes (temperature will rise to safe 165°F)
This method gives you the best of both worlds – juicy meat from the gentle indirect cooking and crispy skin from the final direct heat sear.
How to Set Up Two-Zone Grilling
Depending on your grill type:
Gas Grill
Create a “2 Zone” setup by:
- Lighting half the burners to reach desired temperature, leaving the other half unlit
- OR lighting both sides while leaving the center unlit (my preferred method on my Weber Genesis)
Charcoal Grill/Smoker
- Light charcoal and move it to one side of the grill OR both sides while leaving the center clear
- Place meat in the unlit area
- Use a drip pan below the meat to catch drippings
Pellet Grill
No need to create zones – just set your temperature (around 400°F) and place a drip pan under the chicken.
Step-by-Step: How to Spatchcock and Grill a Chicken
Let’s put it all together with a complete guide:
Step 1: Spatchcock the Chicken
- Place chicken breast-side down on a cutting board
- Using kitchen shears, cut along each side of the backbone from tail to neck
- Remove backbone (save it for stock!)
- Flip chicken over and press down firmly on breastbone to flatten
- Tuck wing tips behind shoulders so they don’t burn
Step 2: Season the Chicken
- Drizzle both sides with olive oil (helps crisp the skin)
- Apply your favorite chicken seasoning (avoid sugar-based rubs as they burn easily)
- Good options include:
- Simple salt and pepper
- Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and herbs
- Store-bought poultry seasoning
Step 3: Preheat and Prep Grill
- Set up two-zone heating to about 375-450°F
- Clean and oil grates to prevent sticking
Step 4: Grill the Chicken
- Place chicken on indirect heat side, skin-side up
- Grill for 30-40 minutes (or until internal temp reaches 145°F)
- OPTIONAL: Baste with your favorite sauce every 20 minutes
- Move to direct heat, cooking 5-7 minutes more until internal temp hits 160°F
- Remove from grill and let rest 10-15 minutes before carving
Common Questions I Get About Spatchcock Chicken
Do I need to flip the chicken while grilling?
If you’re using the two-zone method, you don’t need to flip the chicken until you move it to direct heat. This makes it a mostly hands-off cooking method!
How do I know when it’s done?
ALWAYS use a meat thermometer! The chicken is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast. I usually pull it at 160°F and let it rest to reach the final temp.
What’s the best way to check doneness?
Besides a thermometer, look for:
- Clear (not pink) juices when pierced
- Meat that pulls away easily from the bone
- Crispy, golden-brown skin
Can I add sauce?
Yes! But wait until the last 5-10 minutes of cooking or the sugars in the sauce will burn. Alternatively, serve sauce on the side.
My Top Tips for Perfect Spatchcock Chicken
After making this dish dozens of times, here are my best tips:
- Use the right tools: Sharp kitchen shears make spatchcocking WAY easier
- Don’t skip the oil: It helps the seasoning stick and creates crispy skin
- Let it rest: This is crucial! Let the chicken rest 10-15 minutes before carving
- Make it your own: Try different seasonings and sauces to find your favorite
- Practice makes perfect: Don’t worry if your first attempt isn’t Instagram-worthy!
Why Spatchcock Is Better Than Traditional Chicken Grilling
I’m seriously convinced this is the BEST way to grill chicken. Here’s why:
- Faster cooking time: 30-45 minutes vs. 60-90+ minutes
- Even cooking: No more dry breast meat and undercooked thighs
- Better flavor absorption: More surface area for seasonings and smoke
- Crispier skin: The flat surface allows for even browning
- Easier carving: The flat chicken is simpler to portion
Bottom Line
Grilling a spatchcock chicken takes about 30-45 minutes at 375°F to 450°F, which is significantly faster than traditional methods. By using the two-zone grilling technique and paying attention to internal temperature, you’ll get perfect results every time.
Once you master this technique, you might never cook a whole chicken the traditional way again! It’s faster, more reliable, and delivers that restaurant-quality combination of juicy meat and crispy skin that’ll have your friends and family asking for your secret.
Give it a try this weekend – I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
How to Grill Spatchcock Chicken with Indirect Heat Method
2 Zone Set Up: One zone is hot over direct heat, the other zone will be warm over indirect heat. What you’re looking for is to have half of the burners turned on to provide flame/hot heat and the other half of the grill generating little to no heat either on low or not at all.
With a Gas Grill: Create a “2 Zone” set up in one of two ways. You can light half the grill so that it reaches the desired temperature, laying the meat on the unlit side. Alternatively, you can light both sides of a grill while leaving the center unlit, placing the meat in the center where the temperature is lowest (what I do on my Weber Genesis).
With a Charcoal BBQ or Smoker: Light the charcoal. Similar to the directions above, move the charcoal either to one side of the grill or to both sides while making a space in the center that is unlit. Place the meat where it is not above any lit charcoal. Use a drip pan below the meat.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
(Be sure to check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities)
- Whole Chicken – I generally spatchcock a whole 4 lb chicken, but note that this method and recipe can be used on any poultry.
- Black Pepper & Salt – I use regular black pepper and kosher salt.
- Sweet Paprika – Compared to smoked, sweet paprika has a milder, fruitier flavor without any heat.
- Garlic Powder – Substitute with granulated garlic or garlic flakes. If using garlic salt, omit the extra salt in this recipe.
- Celery Salt – A savory, grassy salt made with crushed celery seed. You can make your own by combining equal parts ground celery seeds and salt!
- Cumin & Coriander – Two fresh, citrusy seasonings that balance each other out very well. Cumin is more warm and earthy, whereas coriander is very lemony and almost floral. They make good substitutes for each other, and either can be substituted with ground caraway seeds or curry powder (in a pinch).
- Preferred Basting Sauce – Keep the spatchcock chicken moist by basting it with your favorite sauce for grilling. I use my own Alabama white sauce in this recipe!
