Spatchcock Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

Cast iron is a beautiful thing—the evenness of the temperature, the telltale char. Spatchcock chicken is almost as lovable as cast-iron cooking, because by laying the bird out, you get consistent surface contact and that GBD (golden, brown, delicious) skin in fewer than 20 minutes. You might even like spatchcock chicken more than fried chicken—less work, fewer carbs and fats, and all goodness.

source	Lodge
categories	main dish, poultry
yield	Serves 4
prep time	20 mins
total time	40 mins

INGREDIENTS

1 5 to 7 lb whole chicken

2 Tbsp sea salt

1 Tbsp salt free vegetable pepper seasoning blend

2 sprigs rosemary, leaves removed from stem and roughly chopped

2 sprigs sage, leaves removed from stem and roughly chopped

2 sprigs oregano, leaves removed from stem and roughly chopped

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 lbs sweet potatoes, skin on, Lrg diced

½ lb brussels sprouts, cut in half from the stem end

1 Lrg sweet onion, Med diced

2 Tbsp minced garlic

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

2. Wipe a 10-to-12-inch cast iron skillet with olive oil.

3. Wash and pat dry the whole chicken inside and out.

4. Place the chicken on a cutting board breast side down with the neck area facing away from you.

5. Using a sharp and strong pair of kitchen shears, cut from the tail to the neck on one side of the backbone then repeat on the other side until the backbone is easy to remove.

6. Lay the chicken out flat and rub the salt and vegetable-pepper seasoning blend generously on the inside of the chicken, then scatter half of the rosemary, sage, and oregano over the inside.

7. Flip over the chicken, breast side up, and rub the skin with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Follow with the remaining salt, pepper, and herbs.

8. In a large bowl, toss together the sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, onion, and garlic with the remaining olive oil.

9. Place the vegetables in a single layer in the cast iron skillet, then set the flattened chicken evenly across the top of the vegetables.

10. Place the chicken in the oven and roast for 20 minutes or until the thick portion of the chicken registers 165°F and the vegetables are fork-tender.

11. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the juices to redistribute before serving.