This spatchcock chicken is flattened for uniform cooking, then flavored with garlic and herb butter and roasted to golden brown perfection. A spatchcocked chicken cooks significantly faster than a traditional roast chicken, and comes out tender and juicy every time! Show
Roasted chicken is a comfort food classic that never goes out of style. There are so many different ways to roast a chicken, from rotisserie style chicken to a slow cooker chicken. This spatchcock chicken is one of my all time favorite methods to prepare a whole bird! If you’re never had a spatchcock chicken, you’re missing out. It’s a delicious dish that’s cooked in less time, yet is still packed with flavor. Serve your chicken with a variety of side dishes, and watch then rave reviews come in. How to make spatchcock chickenSpatchcocking a chicken is surprisingly easy and worth the effort. Simply place the bird on its breast and locate the spine. On either side of the backbone cut down the length of the spine using poultry shears or a good set of kitchen shears. You want to cut through the ribs close to the spine. Cut all the way down the length of the spine on both sides until you can remove the backbone from the chicken. With the backbone removed, find the cartilage over the top of the breastbone on the inside of the bird where the two breasts join together near the neck. Use a knife to cut into that cartilage to release the breastbone and allow the chicken to lay flat when you turn it over. Finally, tuck the wings under the rib cage to protect them as they cook. I recommend brining your chicken before you spatchcock it. Coat your chicken in garlic and herb butter, then bake it until golden brown and cooked through. Tips for the perfect spatchcock chicken
Do you have to brine a chicken?You do not have to brine a chicken, but I highly recommend taking the time to do it. Chicken is a naturally lean meat which mean it’s more likely to dry out. When a chicken is placed into brine, it absorbs some of the brine which helps to both keep it moist during cooking, and also to season it all the way through. When you’re working with a brined chicken, even if you overcook it a bit, it should still come out tender and juicy. I’ve included my favorite chicken brine in the recipe card below. If you choose to brine your chicken, be sure to reduce the amount of salt your seasoned butter so that your final product is not overly salted. Spatchcock Chicken Flavor VariationsWhile this is a traditional chicken with garlic and herb flavors, you can add other ingredients to the mix to customize your chicken to your tastes.
How do you know when chicken is done?The easiest way to tell when your chicken is done is to use a thermometer. A chicken is safe to eat when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken thigh reads 165 degrees F. I use an electronic probe thermometer which I insert into the chicken at the beginning of the cook time, and I monitor the progress throughout so that I know when to pull my chicken out of the oven. I also make sure to check the temperature of the chicken breast, which should also register at least 165 degrees F. This spatchcock chicken is on my regular dinner rotation. Serve it with mashed potatoes and a vegetable such as brussels sprouts or asparagus for a complete meal. Your family will thank you! More chicken recipes you’ll enjoy
Spatchcock ChickenThis spatchcock chicken is flattened for uniform cooking, then flavored with garlic and herb butter and roasted to golden brown perfection. A spatchcocked chicken cooks faster than a traditional roast chicken, and comes out tender and juicy every time! Course Main Course Cuisine American Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 45 minutes Brining Time 8 hours Total Time 9 hours 5 minutes Servings 6 Calories 322kcal
Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 252mg | Sodium: 622mg | Potassium: 721mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 417IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg How long does it take to cook a chicken at 400?Roast the chickens at 400 degrees for about an hour and a half, depending on the size of the birds. The way I figure time for this is to take the average weight of one of the chickens (say, 4.5 lbs) and calculate 15 minutes per pound (that would be about 67 minutes for a 4.5 lb chicken).
How long does it take to cook a 3 lb chicken at 400?A 3-lb spatchcocked chicken roasted at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) can be done in about 45 to 55 minutes.
At what temperature is a spatchcock chicken done?We are looking for an internal temperature of 165° degrees and some crispy skin on the exterior. The higher grill temp of 325° degrees will help crisp things up. After about an hour, your bird will start to darken. Once we have reached 165 internally, it's time to pull the bird from the smoker and let it rest.
Do you flip spatchcock chicken when cooking?It's important to flip your spatchcock chicken on the grill so it cooks evenly and chars on both sides. Use a good pair of tongs or even this large spatula that's so worth it!
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