Charcoal-Grilled Whole Chicken
Juicy, tender and wonderfully flavorful, with an irresistible smoky aroma! Marinated with sour cream, onions, garlic and herbs, the chicken cooks over hot coals until beautifully golden.
Updated : 21 September, 2026
Easy
More than 1 hour.
Ingredients
1
Chicken
200 grams
Sour cream
1
Onion
3
Garlic
to taste
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Parsley
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients. If the chicken is frozen, thaw it completely in the refrigerator beforehand. Remove any remaining feathers and the oil gland near the tail, then rinse the chicken and pat it thoroughly dry.
Step 2
Peel the onion and garlic. Rinse them together with the parsley and dry well. Cut the onion into thin half-rings, pass the garlic through a press and roughly chop the parsley.
Step 3
Cut the chicken lengthwise through the breast side and open it out flat. Place it in a large, wide dish or bowl.
Step 4
Season the chicken with salt and ground black pepper. Add any preferred seasonings; a chicken spice blend works well. Spread the garlic over the skin and rub everything thoroughly into the chicken so the seasoning is evenly distributed. Turn the chicken over and season the inside in the same way.
Step 5
Spread half of the sour cream over the chicken, add some of the sliced onion and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Step 6
Massage the marinade thoroughly over the chicken until evenly combined. Turn the chicken over, spread the remaining sour cream over the inside and add the remaining onion and parsley. Massage again, then cover the dish and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Step 7
Light the charcoal grill. Once the flames have died down and the coals are covered with a layer of white ash, prepare to cook. Lightly grease the grill grate with vegetable oil using a brush. Remove the onion and parsley from the chicken so they do not burn, then place the chicken on the grate over the coals.
Step 8
Grill the chicken, turning it regularly, until completely cooked and covered with an appetizing golden crust.
Step 9
Cooking usually takes approximately 30–40 minutes, although the exact time will depend on the heat of the coals and the size of the chicken.
Step 10
Remove the charcoal-grilled whole chicken from the heat, leave it to rest briefly and serve.
Author note
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