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The Ultimate Crispy Skin Spatchcock Chicken: Juicy, Fast Oven Roast

A beautifully roasted spatchcock chicken with crispy, dark seasoning resting on a white plate.
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Learn the simple technique to spatchcock a whole chicken for even cooking, resulting in incredibly juicy meat and perfectly crispy skin, ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
  2. Place the chicken breast-side down on a cutting board. Using sharp kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone, starting from the tail end, until the backbone is completely removed. Discard the backbone or save it for stock.
  3. Flip the chicken over so it is breast-side up. Press down firmly on the center of the breastbone until you hear a crack and the chicken lies flat. This is spatchcocking.
  4. Gently pat the entire chicken dry with paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  5. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, and paprika to create the herb rub.
  6. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken. Rub the oil over all surfaces.
  7. Sprinkle the herb rub evenly over the chicken, making sure to coat the skin well.
  8. Place the spatchcocked chicken skin-side up on the wire rack set over the prepared baking sheet.
  9. Roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C).
  10. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the rack for 10 minutes before carving. This resting period helps keep the meat juicy.

Notes

  • If you prefer a lemon herb flavor, substitute 1 teaspoon of the dried herbs with the zest of one lemon.
  • For an even faster cook time or to achieve a smoked flavor without a smoker, you can finish the chicken under the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • If you are planning your weekly meals, this recipe is a great alternative to using meal planning services.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/spatchcock-chicken-recipe-juicy-crispy-fast/