Spatchcock chicken, also known as butterfly chicken is a method of preparing a whole chicken by removing the backbone and flattening it out. This results in a chicken that roasts quicker and more evenly than a regular whole chicken. But how long does it take to cook a spatchcock chicken? Read on for a detailed guide on spatchcock chicken cooking times.
What is Spatchcock Chicken?
Spatchcocking is a technique that originated in Ireland and later became popular in the United States It involves removing the backbone of a whole chicken and flattening it out, This allows the chicken to lie flat in a roasting pan or on the grill
The benefits of spatchcocking a chicken include:
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Cooks faster – A spatchcock chicken roasts in about half the time of a regular whole chicken. A 4-5 lb spatchcock chicken takes only 40-50 minutes to cook through.
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Cooks evenly – With the chicken flattened out, all areas including the breast and thighs get exposed to heat evenly, preventing uneven cooking.
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Crispy skin – With maximum skin exposure, a spatchcock chicken develops deliciously crispy and browned skin all over.
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Easier to carve – With the backbone removed, carving a cooked spatchcock chicken is much simpler.
How to Spatchcock a Chicken
Spatchcocking a chicken is easy to do at home with just a pair of kitchen shears. Here are the simple steps:
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Place the whole chicken breast side down on a cutting board. Using sturdy kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone to remove it.
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Flip the chicken over and press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten it out completely. You can crack the breastbone to make it lie fully flat.
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Tuck the wing tips underneath and your spatchcock chicken is ready for seasoning and cooking.
Spatchcocking a chicken involves removing the backbone and flattening it,
How Long to Cook a Spatchcock Chicken
The cooking time for a spatchcock chicken depends on two key factors:
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Weight of the Chicken – Heavier chickens naturally take longer to cook than smaller ones.
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Oven Temperature – Higher oven temperatures shorten the cooking time.
Here is a detailed cooking time chart based on the weight and oven temp:
Spatchcock Chicken Cooking Times
Weight | Oven Temp | Time |
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2 lbs | 400°F | 30-35 mins |
3 lbs | 400°F | 40-45 mins |
4 lbs | 400°F | 50-60 mins |
5 lbs | 400°F | 60-75 mins |
2 lbs | 350°F | 35-40 mins |
3 lbs | 350°F | 45-50 mins |
4 lbs | 350°F | 60-70 mins |
5 lbs | 350°F | 70-85 mins |
Cooking times for spatchcock chicken based on weight and oven temperature
As a general rule of thumb, spatchcock chicken cooks for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound at an oven temp of 375°F.
So for a 4 lb spatchcock chicken, the cooking time would be:
- 4 lbs chicken
- 375°F oven
- 15-20 mins per lb
- Total Time: 60-80 minutes
Let’s look at how oven temperature impacts the cooking time.
Effect of Oven Temperature
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Low Temp (250°F) – Cooks slower resulting in a very tender and juicy chicken. However, skin may not crisp up fully.
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Moderate Temp (325°F – 375°F) – Provides a good balance between cooking time and moisture retention. Ideal oven temp for most cases.
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High Temp (400°F+) – Leads to faster cooking with crispier skin but can cause dryness.
For food safety, it is essential to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. The safe minimum temperature is 165°F.
How to Tell When Spatchcock Chicken is Done
Here are easy ways to determine doneness of your spatchcock chicken:
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Use a meat thermometer – Insert into the thickest part of the breast and thigh. It should read 165°F.
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Check meat color – The chicken should no longer be pink and the juices should run clear.
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Prick with a fork – The meat should feel firm and shred easily with a fork.
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Loose thigh joint – The leg and thigh joint should wiggle freely when the chicken is done.
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Total cooking time – Rely on the total calculated time based on weight and oven temp.
Allow the cooked chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Cooking Methods for Spatchcock Chicken
While roasting in the oven is most common, a spatchcock chicken can be cooked using several methods:
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Grilling – Imparts a delicious smoky barbecue flavor. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 mins per side.
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Smoking – Infuses the chicken with deep smoky flavor. Maintain temperature at 225-250°F.
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Air Fryer – Cooks faster than oven with crispy skin. At 380°F, cook 20-25 mins per lb.
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Slow Cooker – Cook on low for 7-8 hours until tender. Great for homemade chicken stock too.
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Sous Vide – Cooking in a water bath at precise temps results in very juicy meat. Cook at 150°F for 2-4 hours.
Cooking times for spatchcock chicken can vary based on the size of the bird and oven temperature. For best results, calculate 15-20 minutes per pound at 375°F. Rely on a meat thermometer to check for doneness and allow the chicken to rest before serving. While the oven is most popular, you can also grill, smoke, air fry or sous vide a spatchcock chicken. Master this technique for deliciously quick and flavorful roast chickens every time.
What is Spatchcock Chicken?
To spatchcock or butterfly chicken means to split a whole chicken by removing its backbone so that it is flattened. You can ask your butcher to do this for you, but it really is easy enough to butterfly a chicken yourself.
How do you know when a spatchcock chicken is done?
Using a meat thermometer, inserted in the thickest part, you should be able to determine the chicken is ready when its internal temperature registers 165 degrees F.
How to spatchcock a chicken
FAQ
How long do you cook a spatchcock chicken for?
A spatchcocked (or butterflied) chicken typically takes 45-60 minutes to cook in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C).
Is it better to roast chicken at 350 or 400?
How long to cook flattened chicken in the oven at 400 degrees?
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). …
- Rub olive oil on both sides of chicken and generously season with salt and black pepper. …
- Roast in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 45 to 55 minutes.
How long to cook spatchcock chicken at 475?
- Step 1: Spatchcock the chicken. Preheat your oven to 475°F/246°C. …
- Step 2: Season the chicken. Now, it’s time to season the chicken. …
- Step 3: Roast the chicken. Roast your chicken for 40-50 minutes. …
- Step 4: Make the green sauce. …
- Step 5: Carve the chicken & serve.