How Long to Cook a Spatchcock Chicken – A Detailed Guide

Spatchcock chicken, also called butterfly chicken, is a way to cook a whole chicken by cutting out the backbone and making the chicken flat. Because of this, the chicken roasts faster and more evenly than a whole chicken. However, how long does it take to cook a spatchcock chicken? Keep reading for everything you need to know about this.

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:

• It cooks faster—a spatchcock chicken takes about half as long to roast as a whole chicken. It only takes 40 to 50 minutes to cook a 4-5 lb spatchcock chicken all the way through.

• Cooks evenly – With the chicken flattened out, all areas including the breast and thighs get exposed to heat evenly, preventing uneven cooking.

• Crispy skin – With maximum skin exposure, a spatchcock chicken develops deliciously crispy and browned skin all over.

• It’s easier to carve a cooked spatchcock chicken because the backbone has been taken out.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Tuck the wing tips underneath and your spatchcock chicken is ready for seasoning and cooking.

Spatchcock Chicken

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:

1. Weight of the Chicken – Heavier chickens naturally take longer to cook than smaller ones.

2. 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

Cooking times for spatchcock chicken based on weight and oven temperature

When cooking at 375°F, spatchcock chicken takes about 15 to 20 minutes per pound as a general rule.

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

• Low Temp (250°F) – Cooks slower resulting in a very tender and juicy chicken. However, skin may not crisp up fully.

• Moderate Temp (325°F – 375°F) – Provides a good balance between cooking time and moisture retention. Ideal oven temp for most cases.

• 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:

• Use a meat thermometer – Insert into the thickest part of the breast and thigh. It should read 165°F.

• Check meat color – The chicken should no longer be pink and the juices should run clear.

• Prick with a fork – The meat should feel firm and shred easily with a fork.

• Loose thigh joint – The leg and thigh joint should wiggle freely when the chicken is done.

• 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:

• Grilling – Imparts a delicious smoky barbecue flavor. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 mins per side.

• Smoking – Infuses the chicken with deep smoky flavor. Maintain temperature at 225-250°F.

• Air Fryer – Cooks faster than oven with crispy skin. At 380°F, cook 20-25 mins per lb.

• Slow Cooker – Cook on low for 7-8 hours until tender. Great for homemade chicken stock too.

• 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.

A spatchcocked (or butterflied) chicken typically takes 45-60 minutes to cook in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C).