Grilled Lemon Lime Chicken
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours

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Ingredients

- 5 pounds whole roasting chicken
- 3/4 cup salt, preferably without additives, such as canning or Kosher (optional)
- 1 lemon
- 1 lime
- 3 tablespoons butter 
 
The citrusy blend of lemon and lime is an ideal counterpoint to the richness of succulent grill-roasted
chicken. Brining is optional, but is well worth the time--it practically guarantees moist flavorful
meat.
 
Directions
  • If brining the chicken, mix salt with 3 quarts water in a non-reactive pan, bowl, or pail
    just large enough to hold the bird snugly. Chicken should be completely covered with brine solution.
    Make more, if necessary. If the chicken floats, cover with a weighted plate (use canned food, etc.
    as a weight) to keep it submerged. Refrigerate brining container or place in a cooler with ice,
    for 4-6 hours.
  • Remove chicken from brine, rinse and pat dry.
  • Remove zest (just the colored
    part, not the bitter white pith underneath) from lemon and lime with a zester, peeler or sharp

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knife. Chop finely and mix well with the butter.
  • Loosen chicken skin from meat by carefully
    working your hand between skin and meat everywhere you can. Push lumps of zest-butter under the
    skin, then spread them around by massaging skin from the outside. If the chicken wasn't brined,
    liberally salt the cavity.
  • Squeeze juice from lemon and lime; put squeezed rinds in the cavity
    and set juice aside.
  • If you prefer to truss the chicken, use strong string to pull drumstick
    ends towards each other, but not tightly--leave space so inner sides of leg and thigh can brown.
  • Prepare grill for indirect medium heat, according to manufacturer's directions.
  • Put
    chicken on grill in area away from direct heat, breast side up. Cover grill. Cook for about 2 hours,
    basting occasionally with lemon-lime juice. Chicken is done when leg joints move easily, or when
    an instant-read thermometer reads 180°.
  • Remove from heat and let rest a few minutes before
    carving.


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