Roast chicken is an everyday pleasurea good fit for both special occasions and midnight snacks.
Theres a better way to roast your chicken for more even cooking: spatchcocking.
It’s not overly difficult, and it’s absolutely worth the extra effort involved.
Why you should spatchcock your roast chicken
you’re free to spatchcock any bird.
You might also hear it called butterflying, but the method is the same.
(Not to be confused withbutterflying chicken breast.)
Imagine the paper core of a roll of toilet paper.
Spatchcocking is like that, but the steps involved are a bit more macabre.
The parts that are juiciest (i.e.
Spatchcocked chicken is my favorite way to roast because all that uneven cooking is taken out of the equation.
The chickens spine is removed during preparation, allowing the carcass to be flattened.
But the most important reason spatchcocking is my favorite roasting method is the crispy skin.
I dislike the soggy skin that results from the thighs cooking while tucked under the body.
The skin on a spatchcocked chicken is crispy throughout, and that’s reason enough for me.
How to spatchcock a chicken
1.
Prepare the chicken
Place the chicken on a large cutting board or sheet tray, breast-side facing down.
The wee little tail flap should be closest to you.
Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and set nearby.
you’re free to discard it or, better yet, freeze it to use in stock later.
Youll be able to feel the blade go through the bones.
Stop the pressure before cutting through to the breast.
Repeat on the other side of the backbone.
Flatten the bird
Flip the chicken over so the opening is facing down and the breasts are facing up.
Press down firmly on the breastplate.
(Youll likely hear it crack.)
Place the chicken on the wire rack over the baking sheet.
Roast your chicken at 425F for 35 to 45 minutes, depending on its size.
The carry-over temperature will continue cooking the meat for the next few minutes even out of the oven.
After letting your chicken rest for about 15 minutes, you cancarve it into sections.
Now, go enjoy your perfectly roasted chicken, and tell all your friends about the joys of spatchcocking.
