Food & Cooking Cooking How-Tos & Techniques How to Spatchcock Chicken, a Step-by-Step Guide This revolutionary four-step technique will change how you roast a chicken. By Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years. Editorial Guidelines Published on August 25, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Though spatchcocking sometimes seems like a cook's secret, for anyone looking for the perfect way to roast a chicken, this is it. Also known as butterflying, the simple technique requires cutting out the backbone (often done with kitchen shears), opening the bird up, and flattening it. The result is a whole chicken that cooks more evenly when roasted than it otherwise would. Spatchcocked Chicken with Tomatoes Why Spatchcock? Not only does spatchcocking produce a roast chicken in at least 15 minutes less than the time required to prepare an intact roasted bird, but it also results in a more perfectly cooked dish. Who hasn't suffered the age-old issue of overcooked breast meat and undercooked thighs? Once you start spatchcocking chicken, those problems become distant memories. The third winning feature of spatchcocking is that it exposes more skin, which crisps up nicely at higher temperatures—and more crispy skin is definitely a win! The Method The basic method is easy, and if you follow just four simple steps, you'll be well on your way to dinner success. One important note: Be sure to season the chicken ahead of roasting in order to allow the salt to absorb, then customize your spatchcocked chicken with favorite seasonings and ingredients using one of our recipes. Cook your spatchcocked chicken on the grill and look forward to equally crisp and juicy results. How to Cut Up a Chicken How to Spatchcock a Chicken There are endless variations: Some cooks remove the backbone entirely (maybe they use it for stock?), while others only cut along one side to open up the bird but leave the backbone to roast. (It's a delicacy some like to gnaw on once roasted.) 1. Getting Started Place one whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds), breast side down, on a work surface. 2. Remove the Backbone Starting at thigh end, cut along one side of backbone with kitchen shears. 3. Continue to Remove the Backbone Turn chicken around; cut along other side. Discard or save backbone for stock. 4. Flatten the Chicken Flip chicken over and open it like a book. Press firmly on breastbone to flatten. The chicken is ready for seasoning and roasting. Spatchcocked Chicken Recipes Now you've got the technique down pat, try one of our spatchcocked chicken recipes. Roast Spatchcocked Lemon Chicken First up, this simply delicious Roast Spatchcocked Lemon Chicken. All you need is one 4-pound chicken, shallots, lemon, and olive oil. Get the Roast Spatchcocked Lemon Chicken Recipe Spatchcocked Chicken on Bread with Herbs and Lemon This recipe adds a delicious element to your roast spatchcocked chicken; a platform of bread to absorb the juices as it roasts. While it's still hot, scatter fresh herbs over it and squeeze on some lemon juice for a fresh sauce that basically makes itself. Get the Spatchcocked Chicken on Bread with Herbs and Lemon Recipe Grilled Spatchcock Chicken with Dijon and Rosemary Spatchcocking is not just a technique for oven roasting. It also works wonderfully on the grill, ensuring the bird grills evenly, absorbs subtle smokiness, and achieves a crispy, golden-brown sear. Try this easy recipe which has you slather on our Dijon-rosemary marinade before it hits the flames, and let the flavors soar. Get the Grilled Spatchcock Chicken with Dijon and Rosemary Recipe Spatchcocked Chicken with Potatoes One of the reasons we like spatchcocking is that it exposes more skin, which crisps up nicely at higher temperatures. Of course, it also yields a perfect roasted chicken, which we prepare here with plenty of gorgeous crispy potatoes. Get the Spatchcocked Chicken with Potatoes Recipe Roast Chicken with Artichokes This spatchcocked chicken is for artichoke fans, it uses four jars of oil-packed artichoke hearts for a unique accent to a roast chicken. Get the Roast Chicken with Artichokes Recipe Spatchcocked Saffron Chicken Saffron gives the chicken a golden glow in this spatchcocking recipe. Ghee replaces the usual butter and is mixed with mint and cilantro for a fragrant rub under the skin of the chicken prior to grilling or roasting. Get the Spatchcocked Saffron Chicken Recipe Spatchcocked Chicken with Chickpeas A can of chickpeas is added to the chicken after 15 minutes of cooking, then the dish is finished with lime juice and cilantro for a hearty yet fresh dish. Get the Spatchcocked Chicken with Chickpeas Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit