Go Back
Meal of chicken, salad and potatoes in serving bowls.
Print Pin
5 from 9 votes

Spatchcock Chicken

Spatchcock chicken makes the ideal summer meal with its delicious spice rub, and is so easy to prepare yourself at home.
Course Main Course
Cuisine British
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 13 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 316kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 large chicken 1.8 kg
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 tbsp chilli puree
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp fresh basil leaves torn
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

To prepare the chicken:

  • Preheat the oven to 180 C.
  • Spatchcock your chicken as follows.
    1 large chicken
  • Turn the chicken breast side down, with the legs towards you.
  • Using a sharp knife or a strong pair of kitchen scissors, from the bottom upwards, make a cut to the side of the backbone which you can feel running down the centre of the chicken. Cut all the way to the top, through the bones.
  • Repeat on the other side, cutting to the side of the backbone all the way to the top.
  • Remove the backbone completely, cutting through any remaining skin or meat holding it in place, and place it to the side.
  • Turn the chicken back over and press down to make it even flatter. With the backbone removed the whole chicken will cook through a lot faster.

Make the rub:

  • Mix the rub ingredients (olive oil and herbs and spices) in a small bowl.
    2 tbsp olive oil, 0.5 tbsp chilli puree, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Dot it over the chicken then rub into the meat, covering all of the surface.
  • Tear the basil leaves and sprinkle over the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    1 tsp fresh basil, salt and pepper
  • Add a small drizzle more olive oil.
  • Roast in the oven at 180℃ / 350℉ for 1 hour.

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1.3mg