This Spatchcock Roast Chicken is everything you love about juicy, roast chicken without the effort!   This is an easy one pot dinner that the entire family will love, and it cooks up in about an hour!

Roasted spatchcock chicken in skillet with potatoes, fennel and carrots

It’s been icy cold and rainy here, so I’ve been all about the comfort food lately.  Comfort food comes in so many forms, but it really doesn’t get much better than a roast chicken dinner does it?

I prepare my sheet pan chicken thighs often during the week because provides all of the comfort of a leisurely Sunday dinner and it’s done in a fraction of the time.

This easy Spatchcock Roast Chicken goes even further as it includes an entire butterflied chicken that cooks up crisp and juicy over a bed of potatoes and vegetables in about one hour. If you’re lucky, you’ll even have leftovers.

Winner winner, chicken dinner! 🙂

Spatchcocking isn’t just for chicken! Be sure to try my spatchcock turkey next Thanksgiving. It cooks up to juicy, golden brown perfection every single time in about an hour and a half!

Overhead of roasted spatchcock chicken in skillet with potatoes, fennel and carrots

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Spatchcock roast chicken is perfectly golden brown and crispy with tender, caramelized potatoes and root vegetables that cooks up in one pot in about one hour!
  • There’s minimal prep involved, and most of it may be done in advance.
  • It’s a family friendly dinner that’s also elegant enough for entertaining.
  • This meal is naturally gluten free.
Roasted spatchcock chicken in skillet with potatoes, fennel and carrots

Recipe ingredients

This spatchcock roast chicken recipe includes simple ingredients which can be customized with what you already have on hand.

  • Chicken. Use a whole 3.5- 4 lb. whole chicken for this recipe. Pro tip: save yourself a step and ask your butcher to spatchcock your chicken for you!
  • Smoked paprika. The chicken is simply seasoned with smoked paprika, salt and pepper. You can certainly substitute it with your favorite seasoning or dry rub.
  • Root vegetables. Be sure to use nice, hardy vegetables that won’t cook up too quickly in this recipe. I used a combination of baby potatoes, carrots, parsnips and fennel, but feel free to substitute with your favorite. See my roasted root vegetables recipe for a complete list of viable options.
  • Thyme. Substitute the thyme with your favorite herbs such as rosemary, oregano or herbs de provence.

How to make this recipe

This spatchcock roast chicken recipe is completely easy to make, and most of the prep may be done in advance.

Start by spatchcocking the recipeSee my post on How to Spatchcock a Chicken for step by step instructions. Pro tip: You can do this step 1-2 days in advance, or ask your butcher to do it for you!

Pro tip: The carrots, parsnips and fennel may be prepped in advance. Use small baby potatoes as they’re the perfect size — just add them to the vegetables and toss with the oil and herbs.

spatchcock chicken prep collage
  • Spatchcock the chicken, then loosen the skin over the breast meat. Combine the smoked paprika, salt, pepper and olive oil, and rub it under the skin over the breast meat, then all over the chicken.  Place the spatchcock chicken in the cast iron skillet (a rimmed sheet works perfectly too), and allow to sit out at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
  • Toss the vegetables with olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper, and place in the skillet around the chicken. Roast for 45 minutes to one hour at 400 degrees, depending on the weight of your chicken, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers at 165 degrees.

FAQs

How do you cook a spatchcock chicken?

The best way to cook a spatchcock chicken is at a high temperature of 400 degrees in a large rimmed baking sheet or cast iron skillet. The low sides of these pans ensures maximum exposure of the entire chicken, which results in evenly golden brown, crispy skin. Cook for 45 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers at 165 degrees.

How much quicker does a spatchcock chicken cook?

Spatchcock chicken cooks up to 25% faster because it cooks evenly at a higher temperature of 400 degrees. You can expect a 3 1/2 – 4 lb. chicken to be done in about 45 minutes!

Do you flip spatchcock chicken?

There is no need to flip spatchcock chicken during the cooking time as this method results in perfect, evenly cooked chicken.

How do you know when spatchcock chicken is done?

Roast spatchcock chicken is done when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast or thigh registers at 165 degrees.

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: Spatchcock your chicken in advance or ask your butcher to do it for you!
  • A 3-4 lb. chicken works perfectly for this spatchcock roast chicken recipe. Cooking time depends on the weight of your chicken and your oven temperature (they all vary). Check the temperature after 45 minutes of cooking time and baste the vegetables with the chicken juices if necessary to keep from burning.
  • If the chicken browns too quickly, cover with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
  • Change up this recipe using your favorite potatoes or vegetables, or try different spice rubs, herbs, garlic and citrus! Pro tip: Use baby potatoes as they’re the perfect size!
Spatchcock chicken in skillet with vegetables

More chicken recipes you’ll love:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Spatchcock roast chicken in skillet with potatoes, fennel and carrots

Easy Spatchcock Roast Chicken

Easy Spatchcock Roast Chicken is juicy, golden brown chicken over caramelized potatoes, carrots, parsnips and fennel. It's an easy one pot dinner that's ready in one hour!
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Ingredients

  • 3.5 pounds whole chicken
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. baby potatoes halved if on the large side
  • 2 medium carrots chopped into 1/2″ chunks
  • 2 medium parsnips chopped into 1/2″ chunks
  • 1 fennel bulb halved and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons dried

Instructions 

  • Spatchcock the chicken or ask your butcher to do it for you. This may be done 1-2 days in advance. Access full instructions on how to spatchcock a chicken by clicking the link to my post in the Notes section below.
  • Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil with the paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Rub all over the chicken and underneath the skin onto the breast meat. Allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chicken in a large cast iron skillet (I use this one) or a rimmed baking sheet. Toss the potatoes, carrots, parsnips and fennel with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper to taste, then place the them in the skillet around the chicken.
  • Roast the chicken for 45 minutes to one hour or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers at 165 degrees. Remove from the oven and cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. In my experience, the chicken is so tender it comes right off without a knife like a rotisserie chicken! Carve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Pro tip: See my step by step instructions on How to Spatchcock a Chicken or have your butcher do it for you!
  • A 3-4 lb. chicken works perfectly for this spatchcock roast chicken recipe. Cooking time depends on the weight of your chicken and your oven temperature (they all vary). Check the temperature after 45 minutes of cooking time and baste the vegetables with the chicken juices if necessary to keep from burning.
  • If the chicken browns too quickly, cover with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
  • Change up this recipe using your favorite potatoes or vegetables, or try different spice rubs, herbs, garlic and citrus!  Pro tip:  Use baby potatoes as they’re the perfect size!

Nutrition

Calories: 600kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 56g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 175mg, Sodium: 448mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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