Spatchcock ?

TheDirtyBurger

The grocery store has whole fryer chickens on sale. Is this the preferred chicken to spatchcock or should I use a roaster? I have not spatchcocked before so I am kind of nervous, but the naked whiz's recipe should help me. Any pointers would be awesome
thanks
tim

Hoss

I buy the fryers on sale and use them.i like em.

Florida Grillin Girl

The fryer is fine, especially for your first time. Good luck.

Faith
Tampa, FL

Morro Bay Rich

Fryer = pre-teen chicken
Roaster = voting age chicken

Fryer is best.

Spatchcock = easy

You will never look back once you have done it.

350 deg, raised grid, 55 min = done

Rascal

OK, someone please expand my learning curve.. I've always thought that "roasters" were mature, heftier birds, while "fryers" were the youngsters of the roost. Any input from "barnyard" keepers? TIA 8 - )~~

Morro Bay Rich

Just look at the weight.

Roasters = a heavy bird (5-7 lbs)
Fryer = a tender young bird (3-4 lbs)

Fryers are getting harder to find as that is what all the supermarkets are cooking on their rotisseries. Now what you find most is "Young Chicken" which is in the 4-6 lb range.

I equate "roaster" to an old hen who has stopped laying eggs.

Grandpas Grub

I like the texture and taste of fryers better, whole or spatchcocked.

GG

McEggin

Hey Dirty,

I spatchcocked my fryer last night and its sitting in the fridge uncovered right now. I plan on egging it in a few hours. Follow the Naked Whiz's recipe and you'll be fine. Hope it turns out good for you.

TheDirtyBurger

I do not have a raised grid, will it still be ok? Should I do anything different? I was just going to use a salt and pepper mix for seasoning.
Thanks
tim

Morro Bay Rich

Go for it. I think you will do just fine on the regular grid. And, the seasoning you fine best is the best for you. Salt and pepper is great.

Gunnar

Same line of thought. I like roasters for a low & slow cook like Chicken & Dumplings.

NibbleMeThis

Dirty,

I just did a post on spatchcock chicken this week on my blog: http://nibblemethis.blogspot.com/2009/04/spatchcock-chicken.html

I like using the fryers, perfect IMO. If you don't have a grid extender, I have done them indirect on the main grid at about a 350 temp and they came out fine.

DryFly

Don't be nervous. May be the simplest thing you'll cook on the Egg.