Barbecues
Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken - Feature

Rotisserie Roasted Charcoal Chicken Recipe

By: Andrea Alden

A comforting classic that can be on the table in about 75 minutes, this Rotisserie Roasted Charcoal Chicken recipe is easy and full of flavor. Add your favorite smoke-wood for increased flavor goodness and you won’t be disappointed. You may even have neighbors knocking and asking if they can join you for dinner.

Prep Time
60 min
Cook Time
10 min
Yield
4
Difficulty
Easy

Rotisserie Roasted Charcoal Chicken Recipe

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Ingredients

Method

Photos

Ingredients
  • 1 whole roasting chicken
  • 2 to 3 feet butcher’s twine
  • ¼ cup (63 ml) BBQ Chicken seasoning or salt, pepper, and garlic powder
  • 4 cups (1000 ml) water/chicken broth/IPA Beer
  • Charcoal

Optional - Your favorite smoking chips or chunks like apple or hickory

Method

Optional: The night before, season the chicken with your seasoning, or just go simple with salt pepper, and garlic powder. Place the chicken on a rack over a tray or board and leave it in the fridge.

  1. To prepare the charcoal grill for cooking, light a load of charcoal in a charcoal starter. While the charcoal is heating up, remove the cooking grids and stainless steel heat diffuser from your charcoal BBQ. Next, place one or two trays at the bottom of the BBQ and fill them with water, chicken broth, or even a light beer-like IPA. Open the bottom vent about ¼ of the way, adjusting it to the first notch. To either side of the drip trays, add a little unlit charcoal and, for added flavor, some chunks of your favorite smoke wood. Once the charcoal is ignited, pour half of the load on each side of the trays. Close the lid and preheat the grill to approximately 350°F. You will need to open or close the vents to manage the temperature.
  2. While the charcoal kettle barbecue is preheating, prepare the chicken with seasoning if you didn’t season it the night before. Fold the wings behind its back and place the bird so that the legs are pointing towards you. Next, take a length of butcher's twine and pass it under the bird, positioning it between the wings and legs. Then, bring the twine up under the armpits of the bird. Cross the twine in front of the breasts, ensuring the neck skin is pulled tight under the twine. Continue running the twine down the sides of the chicken and cross it under the point where the breasts meet above the cavity opening. Finally, loop the string under the legs and tie it securely. 
    Learn more about trussing poultry.
  3. Slide the first set of forks onto the charcoal rotisserie spit rod and then carefully slide the chicken onto the rod. Position the second fork and secure the chicken and forks to the rod. Check for balance by holding the ends of the rod in flat palms. The rotisserie will swing quickly to the heavy side. Place a counterbalance in the opposite direction to ensure the rotisserie is balanced. 
    Insert the rotisserie into the motor housing and into position over the drip trays. Turn on the motor and make sure that the rotisserie is turning smoothly. Close the lid and allow the chicken to cook for 45 to 60 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 155°F (68°C) in the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the leg/thigh.
  4. Using heat-resistant gloves, remove the chicken from the rotisserie and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite seasonal veggies.
  5. While you are waiting for the chicken to rest, use those heat-resistant gloves again and retrieve the drip trays. Use the liquid in them to make a delicious gravy. In a saucepan over low heat, melt 2 to 3 tbsp. butter, then whisk in the same amount of flour. Once the flour smell has cooked off, slowly – about ¼ cup at a time – whisk in the liquid from the drip trays until you get the consistency you desire.

Oh the meals you can make! Just imagine the perfect chicken sandwich or leftover tacos, this Rotisserie Roasted Charcoal Chicken recipe ensures that you will have loads of leftovers (if you plan for it) after your delicious meal! What is your favorite way to prepare a charcoal-roasted chicken on your Napoleon Charcoal Kettle Grill? Share your charcoal barbecue recipes, ideas, and photos on our social pages like Facebook and TikTok, using the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #NapoleonGrill.

Happy Grilling!

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Ingredients

Gather the ingredients

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Season

Season the chicken with your favorite seasoning

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Grill1

Fill a drip pan with IPA or chicken stock

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Grill2

Grill, using the parallel technique

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Grill3

Add your favorite smoke wood for additional flavor

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve1

Remove the chicken from the grill and rest before slicing

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve2

Serve with your favorite seasonal sides

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve3

Use the drippings to make a delicious gravy

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve4

If you want to pair a drink, try the IPA you used in the drip pan

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Ingredients

Gather the ingredients

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Season

Season the chicken with your favorite seasoning

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Grill1

Fill a drip pan with IPA or chicken stock

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Grill2

Grill, using the parallel technique

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Grill3

Add your favorite smoke wood for additional flavor

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve1

Remove the chicken from the grill and rest before slicing

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve2

Serve with your favorite seasonal sides

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve3

Use the drippings to make a delicious gravy

Recipe Blog - Charcoal Chicken- Serve4

If you want to pair a drink, try the IPA you used in the drip pan

Accessories

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