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Spatchcock Lemon Herb Chicken
Since we live such busy lives, it’s hard to eat healthy as often as we should. While I know how important making the right food choices is, sometimes it feels more convenient to grab and go, even if it’s an unhealthy grab. Prior to the other day, I had never heard of Spatchcock Chicken. Spatchcock is the process of splitting a chicken open and cooking it (think butterflying a shrimp). Since the chicken is normally grilled or roasted, it can add to a pretty healthy meal.
Last night my husband cooked Spatchcock Lemon Herb Chicken. The chicken was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Paired with mashed (and roasted) cauliflower and green beans, everything tasted like heaven. One of the best things about it was there was plenty left over for us to eat for lunch today. (Double win) Although the name sounds funny, cooking chicken this way is a time-saver because the chicken cooks much faster than normal without sacrificing any tenderness or moisture.
Ingredients
- Whole chicken
- 4 lemons
- Salt and Pepper
- Half of a stick of butter cut down into smaller slices
- Fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation
- Cut the backbone from the chicken (by going through the ribs) and flatten the breastbone. This ensures that the chicken will cook evenly.
- Create a marinade of olive oil, lemon juice (from 2 squeezed lemons), salt and pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Let the chicken marinade overnight.
- Insert a few slices of butter under the chicken’s skin at the breast and the thighs.
- Place 2 slices of lemon under the skin at each breast and 1 under the skin at each thigh.
- Put fresh thyme under the skin at each breast and under the skin at each thigh.
- Melt remaining butter and coat the chicken in it.
- Sprinkle the outside of the chicken with remaining salt and pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Place chicken in oven roasting pan for 45 minutes on 400 degrees (or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees).
- Rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Enjoy!
My husband is always cooking up something new and healthy. If you liked this recipe you can find more on our food page.
Pretty good. The recipe was easy to try. Lovely pictures too.
Looks really good!
Yum!! Definitely going to have to try this!
I love simple healthy recipes I can make with my boyfriend.
I’ve never heard of this method of chicken cooking before. Thanks for the new idea!
Sounds yummy!! Thanks for the recipe!!
That recipe actually looks yummy! My mom was looking for new chicken recipes just a few days ago, too!
My mouth started watering as I read it. Sounds delicious. And what a good idea to take the back out and roast it flat!
Looks yummy! I’ve never tried cooking a chicken that way but will have to give it a try.
Looks delicious! Always looking for a new way to cook my chicken.
Love this recipe..Pinned it! <3
That looks like one of our favorite dinners, but I have never heard it called Spatchcock chicken before! Learn something new everyday.
That looks delicious! Definitely adding it to my week!
Oh this looks really yummy and sounds pretty easy! Ill definitely have to try this soon 🙂
This looks amazing! I will have my husband cook it because I am not good at cooking at all 😉
Wow, this looks great. The marinade sounds amazing! Nice!
Yum!!! I was just looking for new recipes today and I am saving this for sure! 🙂
Never heard of Spatchcock Chicken, sounds fantastic.
Yum! I bet the lemon and herb combo was delicious!
This looks so simple and delicious! Going to have to try this one out.
I love the combo of lemon and thyme. It’s so rich and flavorful. Great recipe!
This looks so yummy. I will have to try this.
That looks delicious! I eat a lot of chicken, so I’ll definitely have to try out this recipe!
I was not familiar with cooking a chicken this way but it looked pretty simple and delicious… Definitely have to try!