Description
A juicy and flavorful Lemon Garlic Spatchcock Chicken featuring a zesty blend of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. This recipe delivers a crispy-skinned, tender chicken that's perfect for an impressive and delicious main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4-5 pound whole chicken
- salt and pepper to taste
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest and juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Additional lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Spatchcock the chicken by removing the backbone with kitchen shears, then press down to flatten the bird evenly.
- Season the Chicken: Generously season both sides of the flattened chicken with salt and pepper.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, and chopped fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, thyme) until well combined.
- Apply Butter Mixture: Spread the garlic herb butter evenly all over the chicken, making sure to get under the skin where possible for maximum flavor.
- Roast the Chicken: Place the chicken skin-side up on a baking sheet or roasting pan, then roast in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes to redistribute the juices before slicing.
- Serve: Garnish with additional lemon slices and serve warm.
Notes
- Spatchcocking the chicken helps it cook evenly and reduces cooking time.
- If fresh herbs aren't available, dried herbs can be used but reduce the quantity by half for best flavor.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking ensures juicy meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken is fully cooked for safety and best results.
- For a crispier skin, pat the chicken dry before applying the butter mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 0.04 g
- Sodium: 104 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 129 mg
