Spatchcock Chicken

PREP: Place the chicken on a clean surface and pat the chicken dry using paper towels. Flip the chicken breast side down. Use sharpened kitchen shears, with the neck side towards you, find the spine and cut on both sides of the spine, making sure you don’t remove excess meat. Remove the spine and save it to make stock later! Flip the bird over so it’s breast side up and use your palms to press down the sternum (breast bone) with force so it cracks and the breast and legs lay flat on the surface. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt on both sides. Place the chicken breast side up on a wire rack (placed on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment.) let the chicken hang out for at least 35-45 minutes at room temperature if time permits, this will undoubtedly yield better results. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 425ºF. HERB BUTTER: Combine the softened butter with the garlic, thyme, lemon juice/zest, ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of parsley. Smash with a fork until well mixed. Lay the spatchcocked chicken on a flat surface and gently raise the skin and dot about ½ of the prepared herb butter. Spread the remaining butter all over the chicken. BAKE: the chicken uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers at 156-158ºF in the thickest part of the chicken breast. The temperature will continue to rise as the chicken rests (anywhere between 7-10ºF) so you want to make sure you don’t leave the chicken in the oven too long. Allow the chicken to rest for 10-12 minutes, uncovered before slicing. BAKE: the chicken uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers at 156-158ºF in the thickest part of the chicken breast. The temperature will continue to rise as the chicken rests (anywhere between 7-10ºF) so you want to make sure you don’t leave the chicken in the oven too long. Allow the chicken to rest for 10-12 minutes, uncovered before slicing.