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Spatchcock Chicken

This beautiful Spatchcock Chicken is crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor! Super easy to prepare and done in less time than roasting it whole!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6
Calories: 466 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter unsalted, softened (1 stick)
  • ¼ cup poultry herb blend chopped *
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 4 pound whole chicken
Gravy
  • pan drippings
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium or no sodium added, or water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare oven and skillet: Preheat your oven to 425℉. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. See recipe notes if you don't have a large enough skillet.
  2. Make compound butter: In a small bowl add the butter, poultry herb blend, garlic, lemon zest, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Whisk or mash with a spatula until well combined.
  3. Spatchcock chicken: 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.
  4. Season chicken: Season the inside of the chicken generously with salt and pepper, then flip it over so that the breast side is up.
  5. Apply compound butter: 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.
  6. Bake: Place the chicken in the prepared skillet and bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until it registers 165 to 170℉ on an instant-read thermometer. The time can vary if using a different size chicken.
  7. Let chicken rest: Let the chicken rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes before carving it and serving.
  8. Make gravy: 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.

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. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 466kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Cholesterol 149mg (50%) Sodium 309mg (13%) Potassium 328mg (9%) Vitamin A 755IU (15%) Vitamin C 4.5mg (5%) Calcium 45mg (5%) Iron 1.8mg (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 466

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 466kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Cholesterol 149mg 50%
Sodium 309mg 13%
Potassium 328mg 7%
Vitamin A 755IU 15%
Vitamin C 4.5mg 5%
Calcium 45mg 5%
Iron 1.8mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.