Last updated on November 4th, 2018 at 07:37 pm
This beautiful Spatchcock Chicken is crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor! Super easy to prepare and done in less time than roasting it whole!
Did you know that if you spatchcock a chicken you’re cutting down the cooking time by half? Yes, half! To me that’s a big plus, especially in the summer because the last thing I want is to have the oven on all day, but I still want my home cooked meals, which is why this spatchcock chicken is perfect.
To spatchcock a chicken basically means to butterfly the chicken and while this looks complicated, it’s super easy to do. Not only that, but in about an hour you’ll have a very impressive dinner, fool proof, insanely delicious for your entire family or friends.
You can use this method for Cornish hens as well or quails, and cook them in no time at all. While removing the backbone may look scary or hard, it’s really easy to do and all you need is a good pair of kitchen shears.
Because this spatchcock chicken requires less time in the oven, you end up with a super juicy bird. Even the breast won’t be dry, and nobody likes a dry breast.
I made a compound butter with poultry herbs, garlic and smoked paprika, which I spread half of it under the skin and the remaining over the skin for extra flavor and yumminess. Trust me, this butter is one of the secrets to this chicken being super juicy and succulent.
HOW TO SPATCHCOCK A CHICKEN:
- Make sure you first place the chicken breast-side down and the legs towards you.
- Use a good pair of kitchen shears to cut up along each side of the backbone, cutting through the rib bones as you go.
- Open the chicken out and turn it over then flatten the breastbone with the heel of your hand, by pressing down (see video) so that the meat is all one thickness.
- Season well on both sides with your favorite poultry seasoning and roast in the oven as stated in the recipe or barbecue on a grill for 15-20 minutes per side, depending on the size of the bird.
CRAVING MORE CHICKEN? TRY THESE:
- Beer Can Chicken
- Roast Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Garlic Sauce
- Marinated Chicken Spiedies with Garlic Sauce
- Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes
- Baked Garlic and Ginger Chicken Drumsticks
If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!
Spatchcock Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted, softened (1 stick)
- 1/4 cup poultry herb blend chopped *
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
- 4 lb whole chicken
Gravy
- pan drippings
- 1 cup chicken broth low sodium or no sodium added, or water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 F degrees. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. See recipe notes if you don't have a large enough skillet.
- In a small bowl add the butter, poultry herb blend, garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Whisk or mash with a spatula until well combined.
- Place the chicken breast-side down and the legs towards you. Use a pair of kitchen shears to cut up along each side of the backbone, cutting through the rib bones as you go. Open the chicken out and turn it over then flatten the breastbone with the heel of your hand, by pressing down (see video) so that the meat is all one thickness. Cut the wing tips off as well.
- Season the inside of the chicken generously with salt and pepper, then flip it over so that the breast side is up.
- Run your fingers under the chicken skin (breasts and legs) and rub half of the compound butter under the skin. Spread the rest of the mixture over the top of the bird.
- Place the chicken in the prepared skillet and bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until it registers 165 to 170 F on an instant-read thermometer. The time can vary if using a different size chicken.
- Let the chicken rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes before carving it and serving.
- To make the gravy cook the fat drippings from the skillet in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbling. Stir in the cornstarch and chicken broth or water. Stir constantly using a whisk, bring a boil and boil for 1 more minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
Video
Notes
- * You can find poultry herb blends in your local grocery store located with all the other herbs. Usually they contain rosemary, sage and thyme, so if you cannot the blend you could always buy them separately.
- If you don't have a skillet (about 12 inch) large enough to roast the chicken you can use a baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then place a baking rack over it. Spray the rack with cooking spray.
- If your oven has a Roast function, preheat it to 375 F degrees and roast it for 35 minutes or until it registers 165 to 170 F on an instant-read thermometer. The time can vary if using a different size chicken.
- The nutritional information is for 6 people. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition
This is by far the best roasted chicken recipe I have made. My husband who hates chicken enjoyed this meal. Thank you for sharing.
This is my go-to for roasting entire chickens! We’re so glad you love the recipe.
Great Recipe. Super fast and easy for a Tuesday dinner. 10 minutes to pull together and an hour later a semi fancy dinner.
This is the only way I’ll roast chicken now! So easy and delicious. We’re glad you love the recipe 🙂
Thank you for teaching us how to do this! I buy them at Costco and Trader Joe’s already spatchcocked, but I had no idea how to do it myself!
I will definitely try this!
This is such a great method and I just love this seasoning combo. Delicious!
It’s the best and easiest way to cook a whole chicken. 🙂
This is a recipe everyone on earth needs, truly classic.
I had no idea!! These photos and information are just so helpful. Most recipes usually grill it, but I love that you shared a roasted version. Looks so SO good.
It is delicious, hope you try it!
Such a perfect chicken. Simple, flavorful, and cooks up quickly!
Hi Jo ,I have just bought a Sunbeam 5 in 1 pressure and I have made your chicken soup first off , do you have anymore recipes for your Instant Pot, I would love some if you have a collection.
Sincerely Lorraine Martin Australia.
You can check out some more instant pot recipes here: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/?fwp_type=instant-pot
Jo – how much smoked paprika do you use? It didn’t make it into the list of ingredients. 🙂
Thanks for catching that! The recipe has been fixed 🙂
I have a whole chicken in the freezer and I’ve been stumped trying to decide what to do with it as I didn’t feel like simply roasting. Perfect timing on sending out this recipe! This sounds delicious and I will report back how it works out for me!
Sounds great, hope you like it!
Follow up: made this for our Sunday dinner and it was delicious! My husband’s new favorite way to have roast chicken. Thanks for a great recipe! I tagged a photo on IG so you could see how it turned out.
Yay! Looks great!!