Spatchcock Your Turkey
and chicken
The time has come: We’re revisiting the roast chicken deep dive, this time with two different methods. If you’re hosting a vegetarian feast instead, find your fave recipes over here.
Making chicken or turkey can—and probably does—sound very intimidating, especially if you’re hosting for the first time. It doesn’t have to be!!
When birds are this big, you can’t do much more than season it and get it in the oven. You can’t go wrong once you know the basics. And if you aren’t hosting a big crowd for Thanksgiving…consider making chicken instead. Everyone prefers chicken, right? Start dropping hints now. (I’m already trying to convince my parents to go to Chinese.)
Here’s everything you’ll learn in today’s deep dive:
What tools you need to cook poultry
My favorite chicken recipes
My kid’s favorite turkey recipe (it won’t drive you crazy on Thanksgiving)
What to make with leftovers
My Favorite Kitchen Tools for Cooking Poultry
Gloves - Sometimes I use gloves, sometimes I just use my hands. If you’re poultry-averse, use gloves.
Sharp Shears - Must-have for spatchcocking! I also love these.
Cutting Boards - These are dishwasher-safe, perfect for cleaning off all the germs.
Dutch oven - You’ll need a big one for slow-roasting (and making stock).
Baking sheet - Perfect for spatchcocked chickens (and turkeys, if it’s big enough)
Thermometer - Absolutely worth it, especially for spatchcocking. It makes things so much easier.
Carving Knife - Unless you slow cook it.
Serving Platter - Ok, I don’t use this. I did once to serve a salad then I broke it. But if you want to serve your Thanksgiving protein on something other than the baking sheet or roasting pan you cooked it on, this is a great one.
My Favorite Chicken Recipes
Quick Chicken Dinner (Spatchcock Chicken)
With chicken, my strategy is high heat in less time because my family loves it so much. It’s constantly on our weekly rotation. Spatchcocking cuts the cook time, so you can easily get a three-ingredient dinner on the table in less than an hour. (I timed it, it takes 8 minutes to prep.) And it will make your family feel like you were slaving in the kitchen all day like my mom used to. Who has the time?!
Low & Slow for Winter
You have to sear the bird first before slow-cooking it. That’s what gets the outside super flavorful and crispy. I sear it in the same pan I’m slow-cooking it in (linked above!), then fill the pot with liquid to keep it super hydrated at a low temperature for a long time.
What About Turkey??
I truly don’t like turkey. (Do you?) My kids love it. It’s so bizarre. You can use the spatchcock method with turkeys, too, especially if you’re low on time. I’d rather eat chicken any day, so if you’re cooking for a smaller crowd, scroll back up.
Finally, a Thanksgiving dinner that won’t make you lose your mind:
Spatchcock Turkey
The average turkey is between 15-25 pounds, which can take 4 to 5 hours to cook. We don’t have time for that. Before my daughter left for camp in June, we asked her what she wanted for her last meal. She chose turkey. (I know, I don’t get it either. Where do you even get a turkey in June?!) Because it was just the four of us, I wasn’t about to spend all day in the kitchen cooking an early Thanksgiving feast, so I scaled my chicken recipe to fit a bigger bird. It’s a great hack for your Thanksgiving table, too, and I hope you love it as much as she did.
What to Make with Leftovers
I hope by now, if I’ve taught you nothing else, you know to save the bones for stock. Roasted chicken and turkey bones are the perfect base for rich, homemade broth. And it will make your home smell incredible as it simmers.
With leftover meat, I pack it in my kids’ lunches, make chicken salad, throw shredded chicken into a pot of soup, or add it to a bowl. All make the leftovers taste new, which is exactly what you’ll crave on November 28.
Thanks for the shoutout! ☺️