Spatchcock chicken is a delicious and easy way to make a meal out of a whole chicken. In this delicious recipe, we use Italian Seasoning with chicken, veggies, and a small handful of other ingredients. The result is an amazing and easy dinner.
A few years ago, there was a trend of sheet pan meals. They are actually pretty amazing because it’s all one meal on a sheet pan with very little clean up. I got in on the craze with Sheet Pan Cod and this amazing Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggie dinner.
Spatchcock Chicken might be the original sheet pan meal. In this great dinner, we are using a very easy method to cook a whole chicken. Then we throw in some veggies to make it a full meal. This very easy chicken dinner is full of delicious flavors. It definitely should be added to your dinner rotation.
What is Spatchcock Chicken
Spatchcocked chicken is a roasting chicken that has been butterflied open as a way to cook a whole chicken by removing the backbone and pressing the chicken flat for it to cook evenly.
There are a few different cooking methods including a smoker, grill, and oven. I will be showing you how to Spatchcock a chicken in the oven.
Why Spatchcock Chicken
- Faster and more even cooking time. Since the chicken is laid flat and on a level surface, it cooks faster and more evenly resulting in crispy golden skin and juicy meat.
- Increase in flavor. The chicken is butterflied open, exposing more surface area, so you can season more of the meat to achieve a fully flavored bird.
- A perfect finished product. The crispy, golden skin and juicy meat in the end result are so delicious!
Italian Seasoning
How to Spatchcock Chicken
Here is a brief overview of how to spatchcock a chicken. For the full steps and measurements to make an oven spatchcock chicken, see the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Remove the backbone of the chicken. Look for the small piece of tailbone that sticks out of the bottom of the bird. Use very sharp kitchen shears to cut on one side of the backbone all the way to the top of the chicken. Then repeat on the other side.
- Lay the chicken flat. Spread the chicken out flat on a baking sheet and press down.
- Make the seasoned butter mixture. Combine the room temperature butter and some of the seasonings. Gently spread the mixture under the skin of the chicken.
- Add olive oil. Coat the chicken evenly with olive oil then season with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the vegetables. Toss the carrots and potatoes with olive oil and the remaining spice mixture. Spread them around the chicken.
- Bake. Bake until cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Carve the meat and serve with the vegetables.
Cooking Chicken
The key to making a perfectly moist and juicy roast chicken is not overcooking. Cook your spatchcock chicken (or any whole chicken) to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure you get it just right, use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. You want to check the chicken both in the thickest part of the thigh and the thickest part of the breast to ensure it is done.
Instant Read Thermometer
Pro Tip
Invest in a good pair of kitchen shears to make removing the backbone of the chicken easy. Not only will this be handy for this recipe, you will use kitchen shears often in other recipe prep.
FAQ
Spatchcock is the same as butterflying a chicken, preparing it in a way that maximizes cooking time and flavor.
Yes! Since the chicken is flat, it cooks both quicker and more evenly.
Yes. Even though the backbone is removed, the other bones are still present in the chicken.
Nope, just make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover chicken is great for so many recipes! I like to make Chicken Salad or use it in a casserole. To store leftovers, cut the chicken off the bone and into convenient slices, leaving the skin on as much as possible. Then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Always use your best discretion with leftovers.
Reheat by baking the chicken covered, at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until warm.
Thinking about freezing your leftover chicken? Check out my whole post on freezing cooked chicken.
Freezing Cooked Chicken
How to Serve
Serve your chicken with the prepared vegetables. If you have leftovers, here are a few ideas for how to use your leftover chicken:
If you try this Spatchcock Chicken recipe or any of my others, leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Spatchcock Chicken
Ingredients
For Chicken
- 3 – 4 pound roasting chicken neck and giblets removed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning skin (if using table salt, start with 1/2 teaspoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper plus more for seasoning skin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Vegetables
- 3 carrots peeled and cut into large pieces
- 1 pound Yukon gold baby potatoes scrubbed and cut in half (or 1 pound large potato cut into 1 inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet, and set aside.
- Place the chicken breast side down on a cutting board. Locate the backbone. It is easiest to find by looking for the small piece of tailbone that sticks out of the bottom of the bird. Use very sharp kitchen shears to cut on one side of the backbone all the way to the top of the chicken. Then repeat on the other side to full remove the backbone. (See photos in the post.)
- Turn the chicken over, spreading the chicken out flat. Press down so it lays fully flat. You may hear a pop – this is the breastbone breaking. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl combine the butter, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Gently spread the mixture under the skin of the chicken, working to cover the breasts and thighs evenly.3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Spread 1 tablespoon olive oil over the chicken skin, coating it evenly. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- In a medium bowl, toss the vegetables with olive oil, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Spread the vegetables around the chicken on the prepared baking sheet.3 carrots, 1 pound Yukon gold baby potatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until the chicken reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant read thermometer. Watch closely at the end of the cooking time and cover the chicken with foil if the skin begins to brown too much.
- Carve the chicken and serve with the vegetables.
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