This is the ideal way to prepare young chickens, since there are two safeguards against their drying out (always a risk with small birds). The herbed butter slipped beneath the skin melts, basting and flavoring the meat as it cooks; the gentle, indirect heat lightly chars the skin without toughening the meat. As a result, every bite is juicy and perfectly seasoned.
· If you aren't able to grill outdoors, poussins can be roasted (at least 2 inches apart) in a lightly oiled large shallow baking pan in a preheated 475°F oven, 35 to 45 minutes.
· If you're also making the grilled baby potatoes, grill the poussins first, over indirect heat, then transfer them to a platter and keep them warm, loosely covered with foil. Spread the coals out onto the rack. Add 15 briquettes evenly to coals and wait until they just light, about 5 minutes, then grill the baby potatoes over direct heat.
· Poussins can be prepared (but not grilled) 1 day ahead and chilled, covered with plastic wrap. Let stand at cool room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.
