Learn how to spatchcock chicken or butterfly chicken in simple steps. Using this method to cook your chicken proves to be one of the best ways to achieving perfectly grilled, air fried or roasted chicken.
What is spatchcock chicken
In case you are wondering, spatchcocking also means butterfly(ing) and it is a simple process of removing the backbone of a bird and flattening it by breaking its breastbone to form a butterfly.
With a good sharp knife or kitchen shear. This process can be achieved in about 20 mins
The urge of having a whole chicken or even turkey on your dinner or thanksgiving table can be appealing but think about the time it takes to roast them. Spatchcocked chicken would cook half the time a whole chicken would with an evenly cooked bird.
I mostly use this technique when time is of the essence and when I want the bird to be fully infused with the flavours from the marinade used. While an average whole chicken would cook for about an hour and half, spatchcocked chicken would cook within 45 minutes to an hour depending on the size. The heat from the grill or oven would cover the chicken more evenly and the chicken would be perfectly cooked.
Also, with butterflied chicken, you won’t need to brine the chicken except you absolutely want to.
What you will need
A whole bird e.g chicken, turkey, duck etc
A sharp knife or
Kitchen shear (scissors)
How to spatchcock a chicken in easy steps
Remove any giblet from the chicken and pat it dry with a kitchen towel.
Place the chicken breast down with the back of the chicken would be facing up to you
Run your fingers along the neckline of the chicken, this would guide you when cutting it. Using kitchen shears, carefully cut along the side of the neckline of the chicken. Then repeat the same on the other side to remove the backbone.
Discard or save the bone to make chicken broth or add to your soup recipes for flavour.
Break the breastbone. Turn the chicken breast to face you and press down the two ends of the chicken to break the middle (breast region) to flatten the chicken.
Season and marinate the chicken accordingly. Bake, grill or air fry and enjoy.
Other chicken recipes
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How To Spatchcock A Chicken
Equipment
- A sharp knife or
- Kitchen shear (scissors)
Ingredients
- A whole bird e.g chicken turkey, duck etc
Instructions
- Remove any giblet from the chicken and pat it dry with a kitchen towel.
- Place the chicken breast down with the back of the chicken would be facing up to you
- Run your fingers along the neckline of the chicken, this would guide you when cutting it. Using kitchen shears, carefully cut along the side of the neckline of the chicken. Then repeat the same on the other side to remove the backbone.
- Break the breastbone. Turn the chicken breast to face you and press down the two ends of the chicken to break the middle (breast region) to flatten the chicken.
- Season and marinate the chicken accordingly. Bake, grill or air fry and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
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