Greek-Style Butterflied Chicken Recipe

Here's a practical tip from the most proficient chefs and backyard grill masters: in order to cook birds quickly and efficiently, leaving all of the delicious flavors in and leaving no question or doubt as to "is it done yet?", you will have to learn to butterfly your whole chicken - or ask your butcher to do it for you.

It may not seem like a big thing, but in reality, it makes all the difference in the world. It is a fail-proof way to grill (or bake) chicken, even your Thanksgiving turkey! so that the end result is pure yum.

It is quite a simple process to butterfly, or spatchcock a chicken, yet as with all things in life, it will take some time to master the movements completely. Practice makes perfect, just gather some courage, take some inspiration from Julia Child and dig right in.

To start, you'll remove the backbone of the bird with a sharp knife and a pair of kitchen shears so that it can lay flat on the grill; next, you will cut out the soft breast bone, and before you know it, the work is done.

Not only will the bird cook faster, about half the time as a whole bird, but it also makes for a beautiful presentation on a platter where all hands around the table can dig in at the most opportune moment.

Serve this Greek-spiced bird with raw, seasonal vegetables and cauliflower hummus for a special treat.

Greek-Style Butterflied Chicken Recipe

Serves: 4 Prep: 10 min + 2 h Cook: 45 min

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, butterflied
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. dried parsley flakes
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tbsp. paprika powder
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Rub the chicken with olive oil and lemon juice.
2. In a bowl, combine all the dried herbs and spices; season generously.
3. Rub the chicken with the spice mixture, making sure it is well covered.
4. Marinate for 2 to 12 hours in the fridge.
5. Preheat grill to medium.
6. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator, and season it to taste again.
7. Place the chicken on the grill, skin side down, and slowly grill until the fat renders and the skin becomes golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes.
8. Turn the chicken over, close the cover and continue grilling until cooked through and no longer pink, about 25 minutes.
9. Remove from grill and let rest for about 5 minutes before carving.

📖 Recipe

Greek-Style Butterflied Chicken Recipe

Did you know that a butterflied chicken cooks in just half the time as a whole bird? Now is the time to try it, with Greek spices, of course.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Servings 4 people

Calories 599 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 whole chicken butterflied
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. dried parsley flakes
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tbsp. paprika powder
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

 

• Rub the chicken with olive oil and lemon juice.
  1 whole chicken, ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• In a bowl, combine all the dried herbs and spices; season generously.
  1 tbsp. dried oregano, 1 tbsp. onion powder, 1 tbsp. garlic powder, 2 tsp. dried parsley flakes, 1 tsp. dried thyme, 1 tbsp. paprika powder, 1 tbsp. garlic powder, ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Rub the chicken with the spice mixture, making sure it is well covered.
• Marinate for 2 to 12 hours in the fridge.
• Preheat grill to medium.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator, and season it to taste again.
• Place the chicken on the grill, skin side down, and slowly grill until the fat renders and the skin becomes golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Turn the chicken over, close the cover and continue grilling until cooked through and no longer pink, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from grill and let rest for about 5 minutes before carving.

Nutrition

Calories: 599kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 39gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 156mgPotassium: 701mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2245IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 163mgIron: 7mg

Keyword butterfield chicken, greek-style, paleo, recipe

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