Step 1

Sprinkle chicken all over with salt and 1 1/2 tsp. pepper. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour.

Step 2

Meanwhile, prepare a grill for medium heat and brush grate with oil. Thinly slice lemon half into rounds. Heat butter and honey in a small saucepan until butter is melted and foaming, then remove from heat and add lemon slices.

Step 3

Grill chicken, skin side down, until skin is lightly charred and releases from grate without tearing, about 6 minutes. Turn chicken over and lightly brush with lemon butter. Cover grill and continue grilling chicken, brushing with lemon butter every 5 minutes or so, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of breast registers 150°F, 25–28 minutes.

Step 4

Just before chicken is ready, cut remaining lemon into quarters and grill, cut side down, until charred and softened, 6–8 minutes. Transfer chicken and lemons to a cutting board; let rest 10 minutes before carving chicken into pieces.

Step 5

To serve, squeeze grilled lemons over chicken and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp. pepper.