Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
Whole chicken seasoned with lemon zest, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, then flattened and cooked breast-side up in the air fryer for golden, crispy skin 🍗.
Servings: 8 pieces
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil I used chili-infused olive oil
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast-side down with the backbone facing up.
- Using kitchen shears, cut along one side of the backbone, from the tail toward the neck.
- Repeat on the other side of the backbone, cutting all the way through until you can remove it completely.
- Flip the chicken breast-side up, turn the legs outward, and press firmly on the center of the breast with both hands until you hear a crack and the chicken lies flat.
- Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and rub evenly it all over.
- In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the chicken.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer, breast-side up. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken and your air fryer.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Cooking Time: Every air fryer is a little different, so cooking times may vary. I cooked mine at 375°F for 35 to 40 minutes, but always use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the breast and the innermost thigh and wing reach 165°F (74°C).
Save the Backbone: Don't throw away that chicken backbone! Pop it into a freezer-safe bag and freeze it for up to 3 months to make a delicious homemade chicken broth later.
Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer until warmed all the way through to 165°F (74°C). Keep an eye on the chicken so it doesn't dry out.
Serving Suggestions: I love serving this chicken with my Greek Feta Salad 🥗 or Healthy Potato Salad 🥔 for a delicious, complete meal!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 piece | Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 358mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 319IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
