Have you ever wanted to elevate your whole chicken game beyond the ordinary? Let me introduce you to the Bear’s “frog-style” chicken, a technique that transforms your poultry preparation and delivers exceptional results every time. Prefer to watch the process? Check out Bear’s Kitchen where the Bear walks you through the process step by step!
What is Frog-Style Chicken?
Frog-style chicken, also known as “frogging” or cooking chicken “a la rana,” is a preparation method where the chicken is cut through between the legs and the breast, flipped over and pressed down, allowing the chicken to be opened up flat. Similar to spatchcock chicken flat, this technique avoids removing the backbone and breastbone while allowing the chicken to still lay flatter without the extra hassle. This technique gets its name because the flattened chicken resembles a frog when laid out on the grill or roasting pan.
Why Choose Frog-Style?
There are several great reasons to try this technique:
- Even cooking – The flat profile ensures heat distributes evenly throughout the chicken, preventing dry meat while ensuring legs and thighs are fully cooked
- Reduced cooking time – With more surface area exposed to heat, your chicken will cook faster than traditional methods
- Superior flavor absorption – The completely flat surface is ideal for marinating, as it exposes the entire chicken to your seasoning and flavors
- Perfect for grilling – Maximum surface contact with the grill creates uniform char and deeper flavor penetration
- Impressive presentation – The unique flat shape makes for a striking presentation when served
As a side note – this can be a super fun dish to cook at the campsite over an open fire too!
How to Prepare a Frog-Style Chicken
Tools You’ll Need:
– Kitchen shears and a sharp knife
– Cutting board
– Paper towels
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare your workspace: Place the chicken breast-side up on a cutting board.
2. Cut down beside each leg along side the breast: Using a knife and kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the legs alongside the breastbone
3. Flatten completely: Roll the chicken over on the cutting board and press the chicken flat. It should now lay flat with a shape resembling a frog
4. Prepare for cooking: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season as desired
Cooking Your Frog-Style Chicken
For best results, try grilling your frog-style chicken. Place it bone-side down, as this helps cook the chicken from the inside out. There are many opinions on cooking temperature, but the Bear prefers to cook his frog style chicken at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unlike steak, chicken requires thorough cooking to avoid foodborne illness, so ensure it reaches the proper internal temperature throughout. Using a meat thermometer cook until the white meat is 160 degrees. Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This time will let the white meat come up to 165 degrees internal temperature without drying out the meat.
When it comes to seasoning, you can go traditional with just salt (as they do in Argentina), or add herbs like rosemary or thyme for additional flavor. The Bear likes to use Meat Church “The Gospel” seasoning, and if you want a little more “pop” he likes to go with the Meat Church “Holy Gospel”. The beauty of frog-style is that it allows the natural chicken flavor to shine through while ensuring perfect texture.
Final Thoughts
Frog-style chicken preparation is the perfect technique for those looking to elevate their chicken game. It’s easier than you might think, and the results are consistently impressive. The completely flat profile ensures crispy skin, juicy meat, and even cooking throughout – making it possibly the best way to prepare a whole chicken for the grill or oven.
Next time you’re planning to cook a whole chicken, give the frog-style method a try. Your dinner guests will be impressed not only by the presentation but also by the perfectly cooked, flavorful results.
Check out the Bear on our YouTube channel for more information.
