Best Low Country Spatchcocked Chicken Recipes

ROASTED SPATCHCOCKED CHICKEN WITH POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease the top and bottom of a broiler pan with cooking spray.
• Layer sweet potatoes, potatoes, and onion slices in the bottom of the broiler pan.
• Place chicken, breast side down, on a work surface. Cut along both sides of the backbone with kitchen shears from top to bottom; remove backbone. Flip chicken and splay it open. Press firmly onto breasts with your hands to break the breast-bone.
• Brush olive oil over chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Place on the broiler pan top.
• Roast in the preheated oven until juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 1 hour.
• Let cool before slicing, about 10 minutes. Serve with potato and onion mixture.

SPATCHCOCK ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Lay the chicken on a cutting board breast-side down, with the legs closest to you. Use kitchen shears to cut out the backbone. Open the chicken like a book to reveal the ribs and sternum. Use a chef's knife to score the sternum vertically down the center, then use your hands and body weight to crack the sternum and flatten the breasts and rib cage. Season the chicken all over with 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of pepper.
• Lay the thyme sprigs in the center of a rimmed baking sheet and place the chicken on top, skin-side up. Roast the chicken until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 40 minutes.
• Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving.

SPATCHCOCKED ROASTED CHICKEN WITH MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Butterfly the chicken: Remove any innards from the chicken. Put the whole chicken breast-side down on a flat surface. (I like to put a kitchen towel underneath the bird to prevent the chicken from sliding around as I work.) Find the backbone running down the center. Use a pair of sharp poultry shears or scissors to cut up along the backbone on one side and then cut along the other side. Remove the backbone and save it to add to chicken stock. Flip the bird over, breast-side up. Gently press down on the breast meat to open the chicken up and flatten it. The breastbone will break as you press. The chicken should now sit almost flat.
• Cook the chicken: Season the chicken on all sides with salt. Put the chicken skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a rack, put the pan in the center of the hot oven and cook undisturbed for 20 minutes. Then lower the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and cook for an additional 30 to 35 minutes. The chicken is ready when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the bird registers 155 degrees F to 160 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the mustard vinaigrette: Whisk the dijon and grainy mustards with the vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the canola oil and 1 tablespoon cold water. Taste for seasoning.
• Serve the chicken: Transfer it to a cutting board for carving. Serve with the mustard vinaigrette.