Print

Ultimate Lemon Herb Spatchcock Chicken for Juicy Meat and Crispy Skin

Close-up of juicy spatchcock chicken breast, sliced open to show moist white meat and herb-crusted skin.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Learn the simple technique to spatchcock chicken for perfectly even cooking, resulting in incredibly juicy meat and golden, crispy skin. This oven roast recipe is fast and ideal for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 lbs)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Place the whole chicken breast-side down on a sturdy cutting board. Use sharp kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the backbone, starting from the tail end. Remove and discard the backbone.
  2. 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 the spatchcock method.
  3. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to create the herb rub.
  5. Rub the herb mixture evenly all over the chicken, making sure to get some under the skin over the breast meat.
  6. Place the lemon halves and smashed garlic cloves inside the cavity space of the flattened chicken.
  7. Position the spatchcock chicken on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
  8. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
  9. Roast the chicken for 50 to 65 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
  10. Remove the chicken from the oven. Let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes before carving. This resting period helps keep the meat juicy.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, place the chicken in the refrigerator uncovered for several hours or overnight after seasoning, before roasting.
  • If you are using a roasting pan without a rack, place thick-cut onions or carrots beneath the chicken to keep it slightly elevated.
  • This fast roast chicken time is achieved because the bird is flat, promoting even cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/spatchcock-chicken-lemon-herb-recipe/