Vertically Grilled Whole Chicken

Step 1

Preheat a gas grill to medium or build a two-zone fire (coals on one side of the grill) in a charcoal grill and let it burn down to medium heat (about 400 degrees F).

Step 2

Remove giblets from chicken and trim any excess skin and fat. Loosen the skin over the breast and thigh meat. Rub oil, salt and pepper under the skin onto the breast meat and leg meat, and rub a little on the skin and inside the cavity.

Step 3

Hold the chicken upright and fit the opening of the cavity over a vertical grilling rack.

Step 4

If using a gas grill, turn off part of the grill (leaving 1 to 2 burners lit, depending on your grill). Place the chicken on the grill rack over the unlit part. Close the lid and grill until the chicken is very tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone registers 165 degrees F, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. (If using a charcoal grill, add 10 coals after the first 30 minutes to maintain the heat.) Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.