Description
This Lemon Garlic Spatchcock Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring a whole chicken flattened for even cooking. Infused with zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs, it delivers a juicy interior and crispy skin perfect for a delicious main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4-5 pound whole chicken
- Salt and pepper to taste
Butter Mixture
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest and juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Additional lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) to ensure it is hot and ready for roasting the chicken.
- Prep Chicken: Place the whole chicken breast-side down on a cutting board. Using kitchen shears, cut along each side of the backbone and remove it. Flip the chicken over and press firmly on the breastbone to flatten the chicken.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Mix until well combined.
- Season Chicken: Pat the flattened chicken dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides with salt and pepper. Then spread the herb butter mixture evenly over the entire chicken surface, ensuring good coverage.
- Roast Chicken: Place the chicken, skin side up, on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) and the skin is golden and crispy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. Garnish with additional lemon slices if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Use kitchen shears for easy backbone removal when spatchcocking.
- Letting the chicken rest after roasting keeps it juicy.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs; reduce by half if dried.
- Butter can be swapped with olive oil for a lighter version.
- Ensure the chicken is flattened evenly for uniform cooking and crispy skin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 0.04 g
- Sodium: 104 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 129 mg
