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Spatchcock

dmirish1
dmirish1 Posts: 115
in Poultry
Why or how do one cook a spatchcock chicken? What is the fascination with splitting the bird open to grill? I've had some absolutely awesome birds off the egg either whole or to pull.

Winchester, Virginia LBGE, MiniMax

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Comments

  • TexanOfTheNorth
    TexanOfTheNorth Posts: 3,951
    It's just so darn fun to say "spatchcock!"
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well, "spa-Peggy" is kind of like spaghetti. I'm not sure what Peggy does different, if anything. But it's the one dish she's kind of made her own.
    ____________________
    Aurora, Ontario, Canada
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  • jbjet45
    jbjet45 Posts: 52
    I think they cook a hair faster.....I did a turkey spatchcock on the grill for Thanksgiving last year and absolutely loved it.
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    You also get all the skin on one side. This allows for getting a nice crisp on all the skin by either direct cooking or radiant heat from the dome. Harder to do this with a whole bird left intact.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • Darby_Crenshaw
    Darby_Crenshaw Posts: 2,657
    cooks a whole bird faster, being direct instead of roasting a whole bird indirect.




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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Also can give you an easier time carving etc. I agree though I have had great verticle roasted or otherwise. It is easier and faster to get them done when splayed out though. 
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  • KiterTodd
    KiterTodd Posts: 2,466
    There is a great step by step guide on the naked whiz site.  Do a google search on "naked whiz spatch" and you'll get it. 
    LBGE/Maryland
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  • Meeeshigan22
    Meeeshigan22 Posts: 306
    Is it just me or do you folks think that spatchcock comes out more flavorful and juicy than beer can chicken? Love beer can but spatchcock has been better for me.
    Highland, MI

    L BGE, Primo, and a KJ Jr
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  • smbishop
    smbishop Posts: 3,058
    Making one for dinner.  The other plus is that you can rotate the thighs underneath so that the thighs at 185ish and breasts at 165ish finish together..
    Southlake, TX and Cowhouse Creek - King, TX.  2 Large, 1 Small and a lot of Eggcessories.
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    @Meeeshigan22    It is easier to get an evenly cooked chicken with spatchcock compared to beer can. That usually translates to a more juicy bird. 
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • Chauncy
    Chauncy Posts: 47
    Spatchcock cooks a bird much much faster, I say it cuts the cooking time down by 50%. It also levels the meat onto an even plane so it cooks much more evenly. The downside is that you can't present it in the traditional roast bird way, which isn't really a downside. 
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