Description
Learn how to spatchcock a whole chicken for fast, even cooking, resulting in juicy meat and crispy skin. This recipe uses a simple lemon herb rub.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 sprigs fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breast-side down on a cutting board. Locate the backbone running down the center. Use strong kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the backbone, removing it completely.
- Butterfly the chicken: Flip the chicken over, breast-side up. Press down firmly on the breastbone until you hear a crack and the chicken lies flat.
- Pat the chicken dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the entire surface of the chicken dry. This helps achieve crispy skin.
- Make the rub: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Season the chicken: Rub the herb mixture evenly over the entire surface of the chicken, including under the skin on the breast if possible.
- Position for roasting: Place the spatchcocked chicken skin-side up on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Place the lemon halves cut-side down around the chicken.
- Roast: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Rest and finish: Remove the chicken from the oven. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- If you do not have kitchen shears, you can ask your butcher to spatchcock the chicken for you.
- For extra crispy skin, place the seasoned chicken in the refrigerator uncovered for 4 hours or overnight before roasting.
- Use the pan drippings to make a quick sauce or pour over the carved meat.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0.1
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 45
- Cholesterol: 150