Cut along both sides of the chicken's breastbone using kitchen shears.
Push the chicken flat using a little bit of force. You may hear cracking as you do this.
Grill the Butterflied / Spatchcock Chicken
Preheat grill to indirect heat to 325 degrees. For gas grills, turn off the center burners. For Kamado-Style grills, add a plate setter.
Combine the melted butter and garlic and brush on the chicken both sides
Place on grill with the skin side down for 15 minutes. The skin should be a nice golden brown color
Turn the chicken over and finish cooking for another 20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees
Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving
Notes
Spatchcock vs Butterflied: The term "Spatchcock" is used interchangeably with "Butterflied." It is the process of removing the spine to force the bird to lay flat on the grill in order to speed up the cooking process. This also results in a more even cook as more of the chicken is in the same plane and the heat source.Rest After Grilling: Always let your food rest after removing it from the grill. Cutting into it too soon results in the juices dripping out and may result in a drier meat.Bring to Room Temperature: Like a lot of meats, allowing this chicken to come down closer to room temperature before placing it on the grill will allow it to evenly cook and it will lessen the chances of drying out...one of the biggest reasons people don't like to grill chicken.Meat Thermometer: When making meat like this that can turn dry if you don't watch it, always try to use a meat thermometer so it will buzz when it hits the right temperature. Coals can heat up in spots quickly or you can get distracted and not realize the amount of time has already passed. Invest in a thermometer and save yourself the hassle and frustration.Substitutions: Use the technique to guide you to changing this up a million different ways. Grab the rubs you have collected in your spice cabinet and have a good time here. If you want to add sauce, do so when the temperature reaches about 150 degrees. Storage: Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezer Friendly: Store in freezer safe bags or containers for up to 2 months.