Prep time: 3 hours, Serves 4
1 cup hickory wood chips
Natural Lump Charcoal
1 (12 oz) soda or beer can, empty
2 Tbsp kosher salt
3 Tbsp brown sugar
3 tsp sweet paprika
3 tsp black pepper
1 (4 lb) whole natural chicken
cooking oil
8 leaves fresh basil
grill brush
6 oz white wine
1 Tbsp each fresh tarragon, basil & thyme,
chopped
your favorite Henry's Barbecue Sauce
Soak wood chips in water for 1 hour. Prepare charcoal grill for indirect grilling by
placing a foil pan in the center of the grill and arranging charcoal around the pan; heat
to medium.
Mix together salt, sugar, paprika and pepper; set aside. Remove neck and giblets from
chicken; discard. Rinse chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub
chicken lightly with oil. Loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers
and gently pushing between skin and meat. Season chicken with spice rub; under the
skin, and inside and out. Insert basil leaves under the skin.
Drain wood chips and place half on the hot coals. Brush grate with oil. Fill can with
wine and herbs and place on a solid surface. Hold chicken upright, with body cavity
facing down, and insert beer can into cavity. Place chicken in the middle of the grate
with its legs spread out, forming a tripod to support the chicken. Cover and grill 2
hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into meaty portion of thigh registers 180°F
and the juices run clear. Add remaining wood chips after an hour and hot charcoal as
required. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving. Carefully remove
can from chicken and discard. Carve and serve with your favorite sauce and sides.
|