The Home Base
The Fundamentals
The Playbook
The Lineup
The Home Base
The Fundamentals
The Playbook
The Lineup
The Playbook
/
Proteins & Mains
/
Whole Chicken (Spatchcocked)
Whole Chicken (Spatchcocked)
Photo coming soon
How to Spatchcock
●
Grab a cheap pair of kitchen shears.
●
Flip the chicken breast-side down.
●
Cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it entirely.
●
Flip it over, press down hard on the breastbone until it cracks and the chicken lays flat.
●
That's it.
●
The whole thing takes about 90 seconds once you've done it a few times.
●
This is covered in detail in the Fundamentals section.
Seasoning
●
Dry the bird really well with paper towels — both sides.
●
Rub with extra virgin olive oil, then season generously.
●
The base five works great here, but for a whole chicken, add chili powder, cayenne, and cumin for a spicier version.
●
Get the seasoning everywhere — under the skin if you can, on the back side, on the legs.
●
More than you think.
How to Cook It
●
Place it skin-side up on a sheet pan or roasting pan.
●
Oven at 400-425°F for about an hour.
●
Use a thermometer — pull it at 158°F in the thickest part of the breast.
●
Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
●
Carryover cooking will bring it to 165°F.
●
The thighs will be even higher, which is perfect for dark meat.
The Meal Prep Shred
●
This is the real move.
●
Once it's rested, shred the entire bird — breast, thighs, drumstick meat, everything.
●
Mix it all together.
●
You get the lean, clean breast meat combined with the juicier, fattier dark meat.
●
The result is better macros than just thighs and more flavor and moisture than just breasts.
●
One chicken gives you 3-4 days of protein.
Quick Tips
●
Kitchen shears are the only special tool you need — buy a cheap pair
●
Save the backbone for stock if you're into that
●
Spatchcocking cuts cook time nearly in half compared to a whole roasted bird
●
Shred while warm — the meat pulls apart much easier
Featured In The Playbook
Roasted Broccoli
Roasted Potato Chunks
Simple Green Salad
Back to Proteins & Mains
Browse all in The Playbook
