
Spatchcocked Lemon Garlic Chicken
Cut used: Whole Bird chicken →
Prep
20 min
Cook
45 min
Total
1 hr 5 min
Spatchcocking, or removing the backbone and flattening the bird, is the single best trick for getting a whole chicken to cook faster and more evenly. With the chicken lying flat, the breast and thighs finish at roughly the same time, and the increased surface area means far more crispy skin per bite. A bright lemon-garlic marinade keeps things simple while still packing plenty of flavor.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
- 1 (4-5 lbs) Whole chicken
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 2 lemons Lemon zest and juice
- 6 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh oregano, chopped
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1.5 tbsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
How Do You Make Spatchcocked Lemon Garlic Chicken?
- 1
Remove the backbone
Using kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it; reserve it for stock. Flip the chicken over and press firmly on the breastbone until you hear it crack and the bird lies flat.
- 2
Make the marinade
Whisk together olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, oregano, parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Marinate
Rub the marinade all over the flattened chicken, including under the skin where possible. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours refrigerated.
- 4
Arrange for roasting
Place the chicken skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan, tucking the legs in slightly so it lies flat and cooks evenly.
- 5
Roast
Roast at 450°F for 40-45 minutes, until the skin is deeply golden and crisp all over.
- 6
Check temperature
Check the thickest part of the thigh for at least 165°F and the breast for around 160-165°F; spatchcocking helps both hit target temperature together.
- 7
Rest and carve
Rest the chicken for 10 minutes, then carve into portions and drizzle with any pan juices before serving.
What Are the Pro Tips for This Recipe?
- 💡 Spatchcocking cuts roasting time by roughly a third compared to a trussed whole bird.
- 💡 Save the backbone in the freezer along with other trimmings to make stock later.
- 💡 Pressing down firmly and evenly on the breastbone is key to getting the bird to lie fully flat.
- 💡 A cast-iron skillet works well in place of a baking sheet for extra bottom-crisping.






