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–+ servings
Pan with whole air fried spatchcock chicken

Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken

Andrea
Air Fryer Spatchcock chicken is a an easy way to cook whole chicken while taking out the backbone and placing it in a butterfly position. This recipe will leave you with a crispy outside and perfectly moist and tender meat!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories/serving 298 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or fresh squeezed lemon

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees.
  • Place the whole chicken on a baking sheet. If your chicken has them, remove any giblets in the cavity of the bird.
  • With sharp cooking shears, remove the back bone of the chicken. Cut about ½ an inch from the backbone on either side. See photos above for a visual on how to do this.
    The backbone of a whole chicken removed
  • Flip the chicken over so it lays flat, in a butterfly looking position.
    whole chicken spatchcock cut in butterfly position
  • Pat dry with a paper towel. Squeeze lemon juice over the whole chicken. Rub the chicken with olive oil and then rub your spice mixture all over the chicken including under the skin.
    spatchcock chicken with spice rub being applied
  • Place the chicken in your air fryer basket in the same butterfly position and place the basket in the preheated air fryer.
    whole chicken in spatchcock cut with rub and ready to go in the air fryer
  • Cook the chicken for 45-50 minutes. Depending on the size of the bird, you may need to cook it for more or less time. At about 35 minutes, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and adjust time as necessary. Cook the whole chicken until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
    Pan with whole air fried spatchcock chicken
  • Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
    air fryer spatchcock chicken cut to show moist tender meat and crispy outside

Notes

  1. Make sure to cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. The outside will look done early on but the center may not be!
  2. Rub the spices under the skin to increase the flavor.
  3. The olive oil and lemon juice will help give moisture to the chicken.
  4. Cook in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. Instead of putting in an air fryer basket place on a sheet pan. Cook for 40-50 minutes in the oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 24gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 283mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 348IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
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