How to Grill Half Chickens

METHOD: Direct grilling

ADVANCE PREPARATION: 15 minutes to 4 hours for marinating the chickens

Most people grill chicken halves or pieces slathered in sugary barbecue sauce, but sugar burns with prolonged exposure to heat, almost guaranteeing that the skin will char before the meat is cooked through. So what are the secrets to direct grilling chicken without burning it? First, season the bird with a rub rather than marinating it in a sugar-based barbecue sauce. This gives you plenty of flavor without the risk of burning. Next, if you must baste the bird (and basting is part of grilling chicken), use a vinegar-based mop, not a sweet barbecue sauce. Finally, apply the barbecue sauce at the end of cooking so that it sizzles without burning.