Spatchcock Chicken Recipe In The Oven

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Weird name, amazing results: there’s no need to be intimidated by this spatchcock chicken recipe! Not only is it delicious, but it’s easier than it looks and it’s definitely my new favorite way to roast chicken. I’ll show you how to spatchcock a chicken, the best way to season it, how to roast spatchcock chicken in the oven, and my tips for carving it as well. Easy chicken dinner, here we come!

While this version may be my current favorite, be sure to add it to your simple chicken dinner rotation with other basics, like baked chicken breast and roasted chicken legs. When you want something a little more fancy – but still super easy! – take it up a notch with cheesy bacon ranch chicken, balsamic baked chicken thighs, or prosciutto wrapped chicken.

What Is Spatchcock Chicken?

Spatchcock chicken is another term for butterflied chicken. You essentially cut the chicken in two (but leave it connected) so that it’s flat. It’s the same method I use for spatchcock turkey!

Not only does baking a spatchcock chicken take less time to roast, but it also cooks more evenly and ensures that the light meat of the chicken doesn’t dry out, while the darker meat finishes cooking through. The cooking process is similar to roasted chicken and vegetables, but with extra flavor from leaving the skin and bones attached.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for spatchcock chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

For the chicken:

I used a 5-pound chicken, but this recipe will work fine with any size chicken. The cook time will need to be adjusted.

For the compound butter:

• Butter – Butter normally can’t handle the high heat of the oven, but when you put it underneath the skin of the chicken, it works perfectly to keep the meat juicy and flavorful. Make sure it’s unsalted, as we’re salting the chicken separately, and softened at room temperature, so that you can mash it easily.
• Herbs – I used fresh parsley and my homemade Italian seasoning blend. Feel free to use any herbs you like here. Rosemary and thyme also work well.
• Garlic – Get fresh cloves so that you can crush them. Alternatively, you can also use minced garlic (either fresh or from a jar), but I find the flavor disperses better with crushed.

Compound butter variations: Try different kinds of compound butter here — any of them would be delicious for making spatchcock chicken! A teaspoon of lemon zest added to the compound butter also works well.

For seasoning over the skin:

• Olive oil – We use olive oil over the skin, because it can handle the direct heat in the oven. (Butter would burn here.) Avocado oil is also fine to use.
• Paprika – I used regular, but smoked paprika would also be delicious.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Seasoning variations: Other spices, such as garlic powder or onion powder, can be added over the skin.

How To Spatchcock A Chicken

Before we get to roasting, we need to learn how to spatchcock a chicken. Don’t worry, while this chicken may look complicated, it’s actually quite simple:

• Cut away the backbone. Place chicken breast side down on a cutting board, and use sharp kitchen shears to cut away the spine. To do so, cut along each side of the spine.

FYI: Wondering what to do with the spine? You can discard it, or use it to make gravy.

It will look like this with the spine cut away:

• Flatten. Use your hands to open chicken like a book, then flip it over, open side down. Use the palm of your hand to push down on breast bone, which will allow the chicken to lay flat.

• Prep chicken for roasting. Transfer chicken to a wire rack fitted over a rimmed baking sheet, breast side facing up.

How To Cook Spatchcock Chicken In The Oven

Now that our chicken has been spatchcocked, it’s ready to season and roast:

• Make compound butter. In a small bowl, mash together softened butter, parsley, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic.

• Season underneath the skin. Separate the chicken skin from meat by running your hand in between the two layers. Spread dollops of compound butter mixture underneath the skin and press down on top of skin to spread the butter throughout the chicken meat.
• Season on top. Drizzle the top of the chicken with olive oil, then season all over with paprika, salt, and pepper.

• Roast. Roast chicken for 40-50 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. (Temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees after you take it out of the oven.)
• Rest. Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving – this will help it stay juicy. I like to serve with lemons (cut into wedges).

How long to cook spatchcock chicken?

The exact spatchcock chicken cooking time will vary based on size of bird and exact oven temperatures, but for a 5 lb bird, it’s about 40-50 minutes.

How do you know when it’s done?

The best way to tell when your oven baked spatchcock chicken is done cooking, is when it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F — it will rise to 165 degrees as it rests.

Use an instant-read thermometer to be sure. Even better, I like to use an alarm thermometer like this, which will go off when the right internal temperature is reached. This is a fool-proof way that will leave you with perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time.

How To Carve A Spatchcock Chicken

After you allow the baked spatchcock chicken to rest, it’s time to carve. Here’s the best approach:

• Cut off legs from the breast. (Both thigh and drumstick.)
• Separate drumsticks from thighs by cutting through the joint.
• Remove breast and wings from by running a knife along the breast bone and then rib cage to gently pull meat away from carcass.
• Separate wings from breast by cutting through skin and connective tissue where they meet.
• Slice breasts in half if desired and serve!

Tips For Best Results

• Season both under and over the skin. We use butter underneath the skin and olive oil on top, since butter has a lower smoke point and is more prone to burning. It’s the best of both worlds.
• Tuck the wing tips. While you’re prepping the bird, tuck the wing tips underneath the breast if you leave them on, or cut them off, to prevent burning.
• Roast on a rack. Like many of my roasting recipes where I want a crispy result (see: bacon in the oven or bacon wrapped asparagus!), I highly recommend roasting spatchcock chicken on a baking sheet fitted with an oven-safe rack. Doing this increases the air flow around  the chicken, making it cook more evenly and helping the skin crisp up on all sides.
• Use a meat thermometer. I mentioned this already, but can’t emphasize it enough! The key to juicy spatchcock chicken is to take it out at the right time. Use an alarm thermometer like this or instant-read thermometer like this to be sure.
• Make it a sheet pan meal. This isn’t required, but makes dinner that much easier! To turn this spatchcock chicken recipe into a sheet pan meal, chop your favorite vegetables while the chicken is in the oven and toss them in olive oil, salt and pepper. When there is about 25 minutes left for the chicken (slightly before halfway through), very quickly take it out, arrange the vegetables around the chicken, and place back in the oven to finish roasting.
• Let it rest. While it’s awfully tempting to dig into the chicken the minute it comes out of the oven, but waiting 10-15 minutes will ensure your chicken stays nice and juicy.

Storage Instructions

• Make ahead: You can prep a few items ahead, but this spatchcock baked chicken recipe is best served right after cooking if you want it hot. To prep ahead, spatchcock the chicken and make compound butter. You could also do all the buttering and seasoning up to a day in advance.
• Store leftovers: Like most chicken recipes, keep leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze leftover chicken. Carve and remove all of the meat from the bones before freezing.
• Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the microwave or a 350 degree F oven, just until warm, so that you don’t dry it out. If you want it extra juicy and don’t mind an extra step, use the same method I use for reheating my prized reverse sear steaks: preheat the oven to 250 or 300 degrees F, place the chicken in a baking dish with a little broth at the bottom, seal with foil, and heat for about 10 minutes (for carved chicken pieces), or until warm.

What To Serve With Spatchcock Chicken

• Salads – Try Greek salad, wedge salads, or marinated artichoke salad.
• Vegetables – Veggies such as mashed cauliflower, roasted vegetables, Instant Pot broccoli, or bacon wrapped green beans work great.
• Soups – Soups such as creamy roasted cauliflower soup, Italian sausage kale soup, or vegetable soup pair well with spatchcock roast chicken.

More Easy Roasted Chicken Recipes

• Roasted Chicken And Vegetables
• Baked Chicken Breast
• Crispy Drumsticks
• Crock-Pot Chicken
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken