Easy Crispy Middle Eastern Spatchcock Chicken

When it comes to preparing a whole chicken, nothing beats the efficiency and flavor of my Middle Eastern Spatchcock Chicken Recipe. 

This Middle Eastern-inspired dish is perfect for those who love juicy chicken with crispy skin infused with a delightful spice blend. The combination of flavors from a homemade za’atar spice and extra virgin olive oil is all you need to make the most delicious roast chicken. 

I love making chicken dinners that are easy to make yet incredibly flavorful and pair with just about anything. Like my Oven Roasted Greek Yogurt Chicken With Lemon or Pumpkin-Glazed Chicken, this is another roast chicken recipe, but a little different in that I’m spatchcocking a whole chicken. 

And I promise, if you follow my tips, it’s one of the simplest things you’ll ever make, yet it gives you a juicy chicken with perfectly crispy skin, every time. 

It’s one of the most requested and highly praised recipes amongst my meal prep clients, and I can’t wait to share this delicious recipe with you! 

Do you need some help with meal prepping for the week and coming up with recipe ideas perfect for you and your family or want affordable done-for-you homemade meal prep services in my area, contact [email protected] to learn more! I’m ready to help!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Versatile Meal: This roast spatchcock chicken is great for a holiday meal, family dinner, or meal prep.
• Amazingly Flavored: The za’atar spice blend melts with olive oil and chicken drippings to give you the juiciest flavors.
• Kid-Friendly: The flavors are rich and aromatic and not spicy, just flavorful.
• Easy-To-Make: Spatchcocking a chicken is a simple technique that reduces cooking time significantly and browns the meat evenly.

Ingredients And Notes

Here’s what you need to make this easy Middle Eastern spatchcock chicken:

• Whole Chicken: Choose a whole bird that is 3-5 pounds for best results and a juicy interior.
• Za’atar Spice: You can find za’atar in grocery stores or make your spice mix at home.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: It helps achieve that crispy, golden-brown skin with amazing Mediterranean flavors.

How to Make Middle Eastern Spatchcock Chicken

I promise you, spatchcocking a chicken is so much easier than it sounds, and because it cooks more evenly and faster than roasting a whole bird, you’re going to fall in love with cooking your chicken this way. 

It’s truly a shortcut to making an impressive-looking and tasty meal. Let’s have a look:

Step 1: Spatchcock the Chicken: Rub chicken dry with paper towels. Place the chicken on a large chopping board, breast side down. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut along each side of the backbone of the chicken and remove it. Flip the chicken breast side up and flatten it with the palm of your hand.

Step 2: Season the Chicken: Place the chicken in a roasting pan, or prepared baking sheet or dish. Generously season the chicken on all sides with the spice mixture. Drizzle with olive oil and massage it in thoroughly. 

Step 3: Bake the Chicken: Place the spatchcocked chicken in a preheated oven for 25 minutes, then rotate the pan. Continue cooking for another 20 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F at the thickest part of the chicken breast meat.

Variations of. Middle Eastern Spatchcock Chicken

• Lemon and Herbs: For an extra burst of flavor, add slices of lemon and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary under the chicken. Lemon adds a fresh, tangy flavor that complements the spice mix beautifully.
• Spicy Twist: For those who like a little heat, add a little bit of red pepper flakes to the spice rub.

Top Tips

Oven settings: When using the convection settings on your oven, some ovens will reduce the heat by 25 degrees automatically. If this is your oven, be sure to set it at 425 degrees in the oven and then it should change to 400 degrees.

• Don’t skimp on the olive oil: It is the secret ingredient to golden brown, crispy chicken skin. 
• Whole chicken: Use a whole chicken that is 3-5 pounds to get the best results. 
• Use a meat thermometer: To ensure perfectly cooked meat, always check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
• Let the Chicken Rest: After roasting and before carving, allow the chicken to rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature to let the chicken juices redistribute and settle back into the meat. Don’t worry, it will still be plenty warm when serving.

Serving suggestions for Crispy Middle Eastern Spatchcocked Chicken

The options are endless, but here are a few suggestions and simple sides that will make this Middle Eastern spatchcock chicken the perfect Sunday roast or festive meal:

• Serve with lemon wedges for a fresh squeeze of lemon juice.
• Pair with amazingly flavored Cumin Sweet Potatoes for a hearty and sweet addition.
• Try this Dairy-Free Root Vegetable Mash, especially if you’re thinking of making this Middle Eastern spatchcock chicken for the Holidays.
• Another winner is my Rosemary Carrots to complete a chicken dinner. They are perfectly seasoned and simply delicious.
• For rice lovers, Garlic And Turmeric Rice is a flavorful, complementing side dish that’s also super easy to make.

Recipe FAQs

What is spatchcocking, and why is it used?
Spatchcocking is a method of preparing chicken that involves removing the backbone so the bird can be spread flat. This technique allows the chicken to cook more evenly and quickly, resulting in juicy chicken with a deliciously crispy skin. 

Can I use a smaller chicken for this recipe?
I recommend a 3 to 5-pound chicken. But if you use a smaller chicken, make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. A smaller bird will cook faster, so keep an eye on the internal temperature.

How to store leftovers?
Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To maintain its crispy skin, reheat in a hot pan or the oven.

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