If you’ve followed us for a while, you won’t be at all surprised to hear that our Heroine Chicken is one of the most-loved Whole30 recipes we have! And maybe you even already know it got its name because you’re a hero every time you make it. That’s because our roasted spatchcock chicken with a zesty lemon marinade is beyond delicious, and it’s one of my all-time favorite recipes. Ready to make it? Let’s go!!

I was delighted to discover, during my first Whole 30, that this Spatchcock chicken recipe happens to be naturally compatible. This is also a recipe that is compliant if you’re looking for recipes that are Keto or Paleo.

Beyond that, it is quite frankly, the best Spatchcock chicken recipe ever! People worldwide love this dish that I’ve been making for my family for more than 25 years. If you want to develop a “signature dish,” this one would be an excellent choice.

What’s unique about my Spatchcock Heroine Chicken recipe?

This recipe is perfect for meal prep because if you’re lucky enough to have a grocery store with a butcher, you can have the butcher Spatchcock the chicken, then prepare the marinade on Sunday, place the marinating chicken into the fridge, and after work on Tuesday just pop it into the oven. And you can certainly get a pair of shears and Spatchcock it yourself. It’s a great life skill to learn!

What does it mean to ‘Spatchcock’ a chicken?

Spatchcock, also known as “butterflied,” is a culinary technique used to prepare poultry, most commonly chicken, for faster and more even cooking.

To spatchcock a chicken, the backbone is removed, allowing the chicken to be flattened out before being cooked. This not only reduces the cooking time significantly but also ensures that the breast and thighs cook evenly. The technique results in a beautifully browned and crispy skin while the meat remains tender and juicy, making spatchcocking a popular method among home cooks and professional chefs alike.

Marinating your chicken 48 hours in a few simple ingredients is key!

Marinating the chicken for 48 hours in a few simple ingredients creates a certain alchemy that amplifies the flavors so that 2+2 equals an unequivocal 10. I often add extra wings and drumsticks to the marinade, because who doesn’t love delicious leftovers? It’s also a fantastic dish to take to a new mother!

Baste like your Spatchcock chicken depends on it, because it does!

Another key to this recipe: baste, baste, baste! I begin to baste when the skin starts to become brown, and I baste again every 15 minutes. Basting the chicken in its own juices and fat is the difference between good and spectacular. It’s worth every second you spend basting, because you will absolutely taste the difference!

What to make with leftover Heroine Chicken.

Clearly, I think this recipe for Heroine Chicken is delicious just as it is, but it makes spectacular leftovers too!!! Below are some of my favorite ways to dish up any leftovers I have on hand.

If you try this fabulous Spatchcock Heroine Chicken recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below. I love to know how it turned out! Plus, always follow along on Instagram and Pinterest.

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Whole30 Spatchcock Heroine Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 18 reviews
  • Author: nocrumbsleft
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Marinating Time: Overnight
  • Cook Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
  • Yield: 4-6 servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Whole30
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This roasted spatchcock chicken has a zesty lemon marinade that will have your taste buds dancing with every bite.

Ingredients

  •   1 chicken, prepared spatchcock or butterflied
  •   2 tbsp kosher salt
  •   Juice of 1 lemon
  •   2 tbsp peppercorns, crushed into good-sized pieces
  •   1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  •   6 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
  •   A couple of handfuls of chopped flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

  1.  Butterfly the chicken or have the butcher do it for you. Salt the chicken well with kosher salt — make sure every crevice is covered.
  2.  In a bowl mix lemon, peppercorn, olive oil and garlic. (Important: make sure the peppercorns are crushed into large pieces.)
  3.  Place the chicken in a 24-40 cup container with lid. Make sure that the container is deep enough (I use a 16? ish x 10? ish x 5?ish deep) This recipe is all about the marinade so it’s important that the container fits the chicken or you will lose marinade.
  4.  Pour half of the marinade evenly over the bird. Sprinkle with half of the parsley, about a handful. Flip the chicken over and evenly cover the other side of the chicken with the rest of the marinade. Then sprinkle the remaining parsley. Marinate overnight or up to 48 hours.
  5.  When the chicken is done marinating, wipe off the excess marinade and parsley.  Then, roast the chicken skin side up in a 375°F oven for about 45 minutes. As quickly as you can, baste with the chicken fat, close the oven and bake for another 15 minutes.
  6. If the chicken is not brown enough, baste again, turn up to 425° and bake for 5 more minutes. If the wing tips are getting too brown, cover them up with foil.

Notes

I recommend making some extra wings and thighs for leftover lunch to-go tomorrow.  If you want to do more than 4 wings and thighs, just double the marinade. Make sure that you put them in a large enough container so that everything is covered with the marinade.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 168
  • Sugar: 1.2 g
  • Sodium: 1264.5 mg
  • Fat: 14.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.9 g
  • Protein: 6.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 17.5 mg

Side dishes to serve with my viral recipe for Heroine Chicken.

Chances are, if you are making this recipe for my Whole30 Heroine Chicken, you are also looking for a few fabulous side dishes too. Below are a few of my favorite recipes that complement this chicken recipe perfectly.