Lemon-Sumac Roasted Spatchcocked Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (About 4 pounds; backbone removed and chicken flattened (spatchcocked))
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (Softened)
• 2 tbsp za’atar
• 1 tbsp sumac (Ground)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (Finely grated; from about 1 lemon)
• kosher salt (To taste)
• black pepper (Ground, to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan.

2. 2

   Spatchcock the chicken: place it breast-side down and use kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the backbone, removing it. Turn the chicken breast-side up and press firmly on the breastbone until the bird lies flat, with the breasts and legs on roughly the same plane.

3. 3

   In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the za’atar, sumac, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.

4. 4

   Gently loosen the skin over the breasts and thighs with your fingers, taking care not to tear it. Spread roughly half of the seasoned butter directly beneath the skin, distributing it as evenly as possible over the breast and leg meat.

5. 5

   Rub the remaining seasoned butter over the outside of the chicken skin. Place the chicken skin-side up on the prepared rack, positioning the legs toward the hotter outer portions of the pan if possible.

6. 6

   Roast until the skin is deeply browned and crisp and the thickest part of the breast reaches 160°F (71°C) or the thickest part of the thigh reaches 175°F (80°C), about 55 to 65 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through roasting if the chicken is browning unevenly.

7. 7

   Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes so the juices can redistribute. Carve into serving pieces and serve warm. A slight pink tinge in the juices can come from the sumac and does not necessarily indicate undercooking; rely on the internal temperature instead.

Notes

The source notes that spreading the butter beneath the skin is essential for seasoning the chicken throughout. Sumac and za’atar are available at well-stocked supermarkets, spice shops, and Middle Eastern grocery stores. The exact ingredient quantities and original method were not visible because the source page requires membership; quantities and some procedural details are reconstructed estimates.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• roasted
• Middle Eastern
• chicken
• gluten-free
• high-protein
• holiday
• crispy-skin