What Is a Spatchcocked Chicken?
To spatchcock a chicken is exactly the same thing as butterflying a chicken, but with a name that is way more fun to say! Either way, this simply means to cutting out the chicken’s backbone and pressing the bird flat so that it cooks in a single layer.
Why Spatchcock a Chicken?
There are a major advantages to spatchcocking a chicken that, for me, put this method head and shoulders above all others.
Even cooking: Spatchcocking means that the breast meat and the thigh meat are on the same horizontal plane, so both cook at pretty much the same rate. This means no more waiting around for the thighs to finish cooking while the chicken breasts dry out. Which in turn means that the white meat and the dark meat lovers in your family will all be very happy.Perfectly seasoned: I always get frustrated by the amount of seasoning I lose when I’m trying to season the underside of the thighs and drumsticks on a regular chicken. But since the entire surface of the chicken faces upwards once butterflied, seasoning is a cinch.Lots and lots of crispy skin: Since the vast majority of the skin is exposed and facing upward, you don’t wind up with those flabby, sad areas on the undersides of the thighs and drumsticks with a butterfly chicken. All crispy, all the time.Easier to serve: No trussing. No complicated carving. The chicken is easy to lift onto a cutting board and is ready to serve with just a few extra slices.
Step by Step: How to Spatchcock a Chicken
Most butchers will spatchcock a chicken for you at no charge, but truthfully, it’s really easy to do at home. It will make you feel like a boss, and all you need is a strong pair of kitchen shears (I love my OXO shears). And now you have a perfectly spatchcocked or butterflied chicken!
How to Cook a Spatchcock Chicken
You can either roast it or grill it. I’ve included some very basic roasting instructions below, which you can certainly gussy up as much as you like.
See for Yourself With These Recipes!
Spatchcocked Grilled Chicken with Orange and Ginger Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Grilled Cornish Game Hens Grilled Chicken Under a Brick
Video: How to Spatchcock and Roast a Chicken
Still a bit nervous? Just watch the video on how to Spatchcock a chicken below! If it feels very difficult to cut through the bones, try repositioning your scissors slightly further away from the backbone. Cut all the way up one side of the backbone and then all the way up the other. Remove the backbone and set it aside. The aim is to flatten the chicken so the breast meat and the thighs are at roughly the same level. You will likely hear some crunching (though it’s ok if you don’t). You can also pick up the chicken and use your hands if that feels more comfortable.
