Ingredients

The following ingredients have 8 Servings
  • 2 whole chickens (3-1/2 to 4 pounds each)
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (firmly packed )
  • 1/4 cup sweet paprika
  • 3 Tbsp black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups prepared barbecue sauce (your favorite brand or Sweet Baby Ray’s)

Instruction

  • First, remove the packets of giblets from the chickens if there are any. Rinse the chickens inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the chickens in half by removing the backbone, then cutting down the breast, using poultry shears, or have your butcher cut them for you.
  • Add all of the dry ingredients for the barbecue rub to a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
  • Mix the butter and lemon juice together in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Arrange the chicken halves on a baking sheet and sprinkle the barbecue rub generously on both sides of the chicken. Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or as long as 4 hours.
  • Set up your grill for direct grilling and preheat to medium, which is 325-350 degrees.
  • When ready to grill clean your grill grates and oil the grate to prevent your chicken from sticking.
  • Arrange the chicken on the grill grate, skin-side down, and grill for about 10 minutes.
  • Brush both sides of the chicken with the butter and lemon mixture and turn the chicken over. If your fire flares up, temporarily move the chicken to a cooler section of the grill. Cook the chicken for 8-10 minutes on the second side.
  • Turn the chicken over and generously coat with barbecue sauce. Grill for 2-3 minutes and turn the chicken over again and coat the other side with barbecue sauce. Grill for another couple of minutes and remove from the grill.
  • Transfer the chicken halves to a platter and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving with additional barbecue sauce.