A simple brine and fresh vegetable and herb stuffing creates a rotisserie chicken recipe that bests any grocery store version every day of the week.
There are two smells I am immediately drawn to the minute I enter the grocery store.
First there’s the smell of that dang french bread they just pulled from the oven. All golden on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside, still warm enough so that when I get home I immediately tear a chunk off with my bare hands, slather with butter and eat.right.there.
Those grocery store bakers get me every time.
The other smell is the aroma of rotisserie chicken. As soon as the smell hits the olfactory senses, weary cooks are lured to abandon their dinner cooking plans and buy one to go.
Guilty as charged. I can barely get to the car before opening up the plastic container and picking off the crispy skin.
Making a rotisserie chicken at home can seem a little intimidating. But in reality, they’re just about the easiest thing you’ll ever cook. And once you put these steps into place, you’ll be making one every week for a main meal, to snack on and for sandwiches. Before long you’ll be giving the store bought version the heave ho.
The Rotisserie
The only thing standing between you and a rotisserie chicken is a grill and the rotisserie itself. Sure, it’s an investment to add onto your grill, but in my opinion it’s totally worth it. I don’t limit the rotisserie to just chicken, but did this turkey too. I may never cook a turkey any other way.
The beauty of using a rotisserie is the chicken self bastes as it spins and cooks. You pretty much set it and forget it.
The Brine
Before adding the chicken to the brine, be sure to rinse it well with cold water and remove the giblets and the neck from the interior cavity.
Steeping the chicken in a salt and sugar brine is the key to cooking a juicy bird. To make the brine, I add 1/2 cup kosher salt and 1/2 cup sugar (either granulated or brown sugar, your choice) to a dutch oven or really deep bowl or container. I then pour about 1 cup of boiling water over the mix then vigorously stir until the mixture dissolves. Next I add enough cold water to cover the bird and add peppercorns and bay leaves.
I recommend brining in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours or so. Once you’re done brining, discard the brine and drain the chicken well.
Stuff It
Next I create an aromatic stuffing using onion, lemons, garlic and herbs. I drizzle with a little olive oil and more kosher salt and pepper. Before loading the stuffing into the bird, I generously salt the cavity of the bird. This infuses flavor from the inside out.
Next, drizzle the skin with olive oil and add more kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. I add a few rosemary leaves to the outside too. Tuck the wings under the breast and tie the legs together with twine.
Be sure to have the chicken centered on the rod so it sits in the center of the grill when cooking. When sticking the prongs into the ends of the chicken, be sure they’re super tight and in as far as they can go so the chicken stays stable and doesn’t flop around when it spins. When tightening the prongs, you may want to use pliers to make sure they’re tight so they don’t slide out as it cooks.
This Bird is Cookin’!
Preheat the grill on high. Put the chicken on and start the rotisserie. If you have multiple burners, turn off the middle burner and leave the sides on so the chicken cooks over indirect heat. Check the temperatures often and if it seems to be cooking too fast or too slow on either side, adjust accordingly.
The chicken will take between 1 1/2 – 2 hours to cook, depending on how hot your grill is. With chicken it’s always best to go with telling it’s done by the temperature, not by the time. Chickens are cooked when the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F.
I use this digital thermometer and it is the best! It’s super accurate and reads in an instant. An important feature to have with chicken.
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the rotisserie and prongs, transfer to a serving platter and cover with aluminum foil to rest for 10-15 minutes so the juices set into the meat.
To serve, I like to cut up the bird and serve family style, including slicing the breasts so everyone can have a bite. An extra squeeze of lemon freshens the chicken just before it goes to the table.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
How to Make a Great Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 3-1/2 to 4 pound chicken
- 1/2 cup kosher salt plus more for seasoning
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 red onion quartered
- 2 lemons quartered
- 4-6 garlic cloves
- Fresh herbs such as rosemary sage and parsley
- Olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
-
Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity of the chicken and rinse the chicken with cold water. Trim any excess skin from the neck area. Set aside.
-
In a large stock pot or bowl, add the 1/2 cup of kosher salt and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar to the pot. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil and pour over the salt and sugar and stir vigorously until it dissolves. Add enough cold water to the pot to cover the chicken and add the bay leaves and peppercorns. Place the chicken in the pot and refrigerate for 4 hours up to 12 hours or overnight.
-
Prepare the grill on high. Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse the chicken with cold water, then pat dry. Season the inside of the cavity generously with kosher salt.
-
Toss the red onion, lemons, garlic cloves and fresh herbs with a drizzle of olive oil and kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Stuff the mixture into the cavity of the chicken. Rub olive oil over the skin and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
-
Insert the rod through the chicken and attach the prongs, being sure to affix them tightly. Tie the chicken legs together with twine and fold the wings under the chicken breasts.
-
Put the chicken on the grill/rotisserie attachment and start the rotisserie. If you have multiple burners, turn off the middle burner and leave the sides on so the chicken cooks over indirect heat. Check the temperature of the chicken often and if it seems to be cooking too fast or too slow on either side, adjust accordingly. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F.
Meal Plan Helper
One of the best things about making a rotisserie chicken is eating it thoughout the week. Here are a few ideas of how to stretch that chicken all week long.
Rotisserie Chicken Naan Pizza with Spinach, Queso and Fire-Roasted Tomato Mango Sauce
All the chicken, and the kitchen sink!
Get the recipe | Ambitious Kitchen
Coconut Curry Chicken
Vary your heat with a little more or less curry in this delicious concoction.
Get the recipe | Taste and Tell
Avocado Cream Chicken Enchiladas
This is one of my favorite avocado surprises, the sauce is simply killer.
Get the recipe | FoodieCrush
Easy 30-Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
Toss it in the pot and you are ready to go.
Get the recipe | Averie Cooks
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Quinoa Casserole
It doesn’t get much easier, or tastier, than this one folks.
Get the recipe | Diethood
Thanks for stopping by, and here’s to getting into the kitchen to make something good~!
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.
Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest?
Thanks for reading and subscribe to FoodieCrush to have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box.
JuanSchuler says
Well, I’m absolutely delighted I establish it and I’ll be bookmarking it and read-through back over and over again!Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next write ups thank you once again.
Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk) says
This looks amazing! My grill is tiny but I’m adding a rotisserie to my wish list for when I get a full-size one. For now I might have to get a grocery store bird tonight because you have me really craving rotisserie chicken!
cookbook queen says
Now I’m desperate for a rotisserie for my grill. Where has this been all my life?!?!
Christine @ WRY TOAST says
tutorials like this are amazing, I love all the helpful tips! xo
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
You make me want a grill more than anything. This chicken is giving me life this morning! That last shot is heaven.
todd wagner says
This is how chicken is meant to be. Such a helpful and inspiring post!!
Reviewshub says
Thank you for your amazing guide! I will follow your step to make the chicken.
iniciar sesion says
too much fire
alexa.al says
It looks delicious. Very nice post! Thank you so much!
Terrarrium Tv App says
hey it is a miminal post. Good work i like this recipe
Lisa says
Wow.. this is truly delicious.. yummm!!!
Neeley says
How testy the rotisserie chicken . It’s my favorite .
Niels says
Nice recipe. I will definitely try it out.
terrariumtv says
Amazing taste and going to try once more.
TCS Zimbra says
Yummy! I will definitely try it out.
Jimmy says
hey the shit is i was trying to make this at home and i failed. It is funny
Ken says
I tried to read your web page, what i read seemed interesting, but i had to stop and leave you page because the text was jumping around so much as ad were popping up every where. i don’t think ive been on a web page with so many ads and pop ups and text jumping around so much. you might want to consider this if you actually want people to visit, read and return to your page.
oh well, off to someone else’s page
FLIPKART says
yummmmmmmmmmmmmm
game of thrones says
watch game of thrones season 7 in hd
http://gameofthronesseason7full.com
check out says
woww… this is reallly nice site
aerotvapp says
great share about making chicken grill..
Gitanjali says
great, specially for chicken lover like me
clash of clans gem hack says
This is really very great that now everyone could get clash of clans free gems.
Terrarium TV says
Great Post.Start using it today.
Nobody says
I have a suggestion to make chicken more attractive. Turn the chicken while baking. Mix the honey with a little water, then spread evenly over the skin when you bake. The color of the skin will be very beautiful.
heidi says
Oh I love that idea, the honey’s sugar caramelizes for a golden color. Will definitely give it a try, thank you for the tip!
FIFA 18 Hack says
WOW SO YUMMY CHICKEN I WANT TO TRY THIS NOW OMG!!!
vmate app says
Yummy, Its taste great. Everyone try this
vidmate app says
Good taste, I tried this. just simply good
9aap says
Good taste, I tried this. just simply good
Terrarium TV says
Thanks for sharing awesome recipes.
Best Kodi Addons says
Yummy! I will definitely try it out.
Thanks for sharing.
Showbox Apk says
Great Post.Start using it today.
Live NetTV Apk says
This is really very great that now everyone could get clash of clans free gems.
Kine Master Apk says
hey the shit is i was trying to make this at home and i failed. It is funny
JodyScanlon says
I know so many recipes chicken but I’ve never cooked it like you showed! I want to buy chicken right now and cook it. I ordered my term papers at http://familyessay.org/term-papers/ and have a lot of free time!
Sample says
terrariumtvapkx.com
www.manabadi.com says
This Article will help you to get the Results which is releasing in Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Manabadi is well-known site and one of the reputed site in India.
http://www.manabadi.com
call of duty black ops zombies says
Excellent post! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
Adney says
I think you are the expert to create more new items related any non-veg. Wow!…
Sample says
terrarium apk
ipl 2018 x says
I am not afraid of tomorrow list of ipl players 2018 for I have seen yesterday and I love today.
Best Gaming Chairs says
You’re searching for the best gaming chair. We know that and don’t worry – we got you completely covered with our updated guide on gaming and office chairs.
Redbox TV says
Yummy.. Basically i am a chicken lover. while seeing this pictures and preparing process in this article i am very impressive and very hungry..
Kodiboxaddons.com says
You tell me more new tips about how to prepare Fresh items. Still I’am getting confused to prepare as like you. I don’t get your color and graceful look.
Pcwindowsapp says
good baking will give good taste. I think all chicken lover will appreciate you and your websites. Thanks for you information.
imessage for windows says
So to get iMessage on pc the very first thing to do is to verify the application on the machine you are using. Just look for the Messages In the spotlight search or using via your folder of Applications.
Pcwindowsapp says
i love chicken. thanks for sharing. i will try at my home.
Showbox download for pc says
Great! I loved your site.I have bookmarked it.
Showbox download for windows says
it is nice
Mobdro apk says
Found Interesting and wonderfull keep sharing website
Instapot says
Thanks a lot for such a nice article really appreciate it.
Instapot says
I loved your site thanks a lot
Kodi Addons says
Thanks for making an awesome food.
I will try.
redbox says
Awesome post about making a delicious food dish.
Thanks for sharing.
garageband for pc says
You need to take part in a contest for one of the finest websites on the net. I will highly recommend this website! So Yummmmm ):
Tranz says
wow Rotisserie Chicken looks very tasty .. i will try this weekend.. thanks for providing this recipe …
Kinemaster says
Thanks for making an awesome food.
I will try.
Fornite apk says
thanks for this amazing receipe
Terrarium says
Awesome post.
Thanks for making this awesome chicken, loved it.
Primewire 1Channel says
Great recipes shared with us.
Thanks!
sai pallavi says
Awesome post.
Thanks for making this awesome chicken, loved it.
Alex says
very good article nice information here i like to visit the website again
Mike says
I want to thank you for this wonderful read!!
Best kodi repos says
I want to thanks the writer for writing this wonderful blog.
Morpheus TV for PC says
Great receipe. Thanks for making this one.
Ramkishore says
I like the chicken very much. However, chicken is the best way to eat and bring fat for everyone. This information will helpful for many people.
Ramkishore says
Great receipe for everyone try doing and it will helpful for everyone
audacity says
I am a regular visitor to your website and have always liked the kind of work that you do. I genuinely get new ideas and thoughts that help me a lot in my personal work as well.
Puspack says
so delicious. I will definitely going to make this tomorrow on my birthday party. I hope my guest will like it sure.
Tvtap pro says
Seems to a decent post, thanks for sharing this with us. The Rotisserie Chicken is always the delicious dish to eat, and accidentally I visited your blog. It is always a great thing to prepare your own dish. Rotisserie Chicken is very delicious to eat, it’s yummy too.
aos tv says
I will definitely try a recipe this weekend. Love to make new food.
Leslie Bailey Koonce says
Excellent flavor. However the temperature and time next time I need to adjust. I have a Weber 3-burner gas grill rotisserie, and “high” was far too high. I cooked a 4.42 pound chicken per recipe, and the meats were way above target temp after an hour + 15 minutes when my burners were at 3/4 power on a day that was hot, rainy, and breezy. 3/4 power = about 450 degrees. Next time I will lower the temps.
Otherwise, delicious recipe, thanks!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
Thanks for the feedback Leslie!
Crickett says
Made this for a dinner party. I did not put it on the grill, instead I baked it in the oven. Every guest raved about how good the chicken was! This is now my go to chicken recipe for Sunday family dinner!
SamKent says
my wish list for when I get a full-size one. For now I might have to get a grocery store bird tonight because you have me really craving rotisserie chicken!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
ME TOO! I can’t wait to do this again!
Maria says
Great! I loved your site.I have bookmarked it.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
Thanks Marla!
jon rawlins says
Way too salty…..looked good but didn’t taste great…too salty
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
Sorry about that Jon!
Scott says
Thank you for the recipe, turned out wonderfully. I think I have made rotisserie chicken using this recipe 5 times in the last month. Thanks again for sharing , turns out perfect every time.