SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN

The Story

Spatchcock just means to split open and remove the backbone from the chicken, leaving the chicken halves together. The word comes from the phrase “dispatch the cock,” but I like the word “spatchcock” better; it sounds (and looks!) fancy, but is very simple and cooks fast.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

2 1/2 lbs. Chicken
Salt & Pepper

Accompaniment & Sides:

Wonderful with roasted potatoes (sweet or white) and roasted whole sweet onions.

Mixed green salad served alongside is the perfect accompaniment.

Quad Setup:

Medium heat, half chimney of coal, hot pizza stone.

Directions:

Cut backbone out of the chicken, but leave the two halves connected.
Splay the chicken open.
Generously salt and pepper both sides.
Heat pizza stone on grill.
Place chicken breast-side up on stone, then place another pizza stone or heavy pan (cast iron works well) on top of chicken breast.
Grill for 7 minutes.
Remove the top stone and turn to breast-side down. Place the stone on top of the chicken and grill for another 7 minutes.