Preparing and Spatchcocking the Chicken
Preheat grill to a medium heat (about 300 to 350 degrees F.) for indirect cooking (just heat one side of grill). Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking oil.
Prepare the Smoked Rosemary Garlic Rub mixture; set aside until ready to use.
Preparing and Spatchcocking the Chicken: Cut off all the fat from the body and neck openings as you want the cavity free and clear; remove the giblets and discard. Rinse out the chicken and pat dry.
Follow the steps below to spatchcock the chicken:
Step 1: Place Chicken breast side down on cutting surface.
Step 2: Starting at thigh end of chicken, use kitchen shears to cut all the way up the back bone.
Step 3: Rotate chicken around and cut along other site of backbone.
Step 4: Remove backbone and discard (or save to make chicken broth)
Step 5: Flip chicken on the other side with breast side facing up and wings on top. Push firmly down on breast bone with your hand until you hear the ribs crack.
Step 6: Trim off the tips of the chicken wings and discard.
Coat the spatchcocked chicken with the prepared Smoked Rosemary Garlic Rub mixture all over, including inside the cavity. Lay the chicken flat on the prepared baking sheet with breast side up (thighs should appear to be pointing in). Squeeze lemon juice over the top of the chicken.
Grilling the Chicken: Preheat the grill. Place the baking sheet with the chicken and potatoes on the grill. Try to slide baking sheet so the chicken is sitting above the side of the grill where there are no direct flames underneath. Place the covered brick or cast iron pan on top of the chicken so it keeps it flattened out while cooking. This will also help the chicken cook evenly. Close the grill lid and open any vents.
Warning - Do not directly place chicken on grill grates or the chicken will catch fire from the oil drippings! If you want to cook directly on grill grates, then you would need to use a dry rub with no oil or butter. Since I did not have a brick handy I used a cast iron pan on top of the chicken to keep it flattened while cooking. You could also use a large heavy rock wrapped in foil. As long as the chicken is weighted down.
Depending on the size of the chicken, total cooking time could take from 60 to 90 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. (juices will run clear when cut with the tip of a knife).
After 20 minutes of grilling, open the grill lid and baste the chicken with Prepared Barbecue Sauce. Close the lid and let grill for another 10 minutes. Open the grill lid and carefully remove the brick. Flip over the chicken on the other side with breast side down. Baste the side facing up with barbecue sauce.
Open the bag of potatoes and arrange around the chicken on the baking sheet. Place the brick back on top of chicken and close the grill. Continue cooking the chicken for another 30 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
While the chicken is cooking on the grill, start preparing the barbecue sauce.
Watch the potatoes toward the end of the cooking time and flip to help them crisp up evenly. Potatoes are done when golden and crispy and interior is soft. Remove potatoes from heat if they are done before the chicken, cover with foil to keep warm until ready to serve.
Once the chicken is removed from the heat, flip it back to breast side up and coat with a finishing baste of barbecue sauce and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving to serve.
Makes 3 to 4 servings.
In a small bowl mix together rosemary, salt, peppercorns, smoked paprika and garlic. Slowly add in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil or enough until it forms a thick paste.
While chicken is cooking on the grill, prepare the barbecue sauce. This makes about 1 cup of sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add ketchup, onion, garlic, cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper and cayenne. Stir together until ingredients are combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 20 minutes.
Taste the sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Add a teaspoon at a time of brown sugar if you want a sweeter sauce.
Store any unused barbecue sauce in airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Makes approximately 3/4 cup Barbecue Sauce.
Grilled Brick Chicken Recipe: https://whatscookingamerica.net/poultry/grilled-brick-chicken.htm