Your Guide to Cooking Chicken on the Barbecue

Chicken is incredibly versatile to cook on the barbecue. Whether you go all out and spatchcock a whole chicken, or opt to cook each part separately, you’re guaranteed to get a juicy, flavoursome bite.

This simple formula works best for chicken pieces like thighs. Adjust the times for smaller cuts, like wings. If you're spatchcocking a whole chicken, you'll need a longer cooking time.

1. Chicken benefits from indirect heat, so make sure your coals are white hot or that your gas is at the right temperature about 30 minutes before starting.

2. Rub the meat with any dried spices (like brown sugar, paprika, oregano or chilli powder) and season generously.

3. Sear the chicken, skin side down, onto the grilles and close the barbecue lid if you have one.

4. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the meat reaches 75°C.

5. Flip the chicken over for five minutes on the other side to finish.

6. Brush with BBQ or chilli sauce and serve up.

While simply seasoned chicken barbecues beautifully, getting lots of gnarly charred bits on the skin, adding a marinade, seasoning or rub can really elevate the experience.

Marinades are liquid-based (such as yoghurt, oil or sauce) and infuse the meat with flavour before cooking. Certain marinades also help to soften the meat before cooking, locking in moisture.

Rubs, also known as dry rubs, and seasoning are applied just before cooking. These also infuse flavour, but more on the surface of the meat, retaining the naturally sweet flavour of the meat below.

You can also stud your meat with fresh herbs and spices such as garlic cloves, rosemary sprigs and thyme. Avoid fresh soft herbs, as these will burn and turn bitter during cooking.

Whether you're grilling outside or firing up the oven, these barbecue chicken recipes bring all the joy of summer dining to your everyday meals.

Whatever summer brings, you'll find everything you need to make barbecue season one to remember in the M&S Foodhall. Not sure where to begin? Try out the guide to barbecue vegetables, tips on how to grill and the perfect summer salads to serve with your chicken.