Description
This Lemon Garlic Spatchcock Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring a whole chicken flattened for even cooking, seasoned with zesty lemon, minced garlic, and fresh herbs. The result is a perfectly juicy and crispy chicken, ideal for a delicious main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4-5 pound whole chicken
- salt and pepper to taste
Butter Mixture
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- zest and juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- additional lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) to prepare for roasting the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, carefully spatchcock the chicken by removing the backbone and flattening it. Pat dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Mix until well incorporated.
- Apply Butter Mixture: Gently loosen the skin of the chicken breast and thighs without tearing. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly under the skin and also over the surface of the chicken.
- Roast Chicken: Place the chicken skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) and the skin is crispy and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with additional lemon slices before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is patted dry to promote crispy skin.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if necessary.
- Spatchcocking helps the chicken cook more evenly and quickly than roasting whole.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking allows the juices to redistribute for moist meat.
- Serve with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 0.04 g
- Sodium: 104 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 129 mg
