Low Iodine Rosemary & Garlic Spatchcock Roast Chicken
Few things hit harder than a perfectly roasted chicken with crackling golden skin, and this herb-rubbed bird delivers exactly that. Spatchcocking — removing the backbone so the chicken lies flat — is the move that makes it all work, giving you even heat distribution and beautifully crisp skin from edge to edge. The paste of coconut oil, fresh rosemary, thyme, garlic, turmeric, and lemon zest gets pushed directly under the skin, so every bite is deeply seasoned and fragrant all the way through. For anyone managing iodine intake, roast chicken can feel like a minefield thanks to brined birds, seasoned butters, and store-bought spice blends that sneak in iodized salt. This recipe sidesteps all of that by using fine sea salt and whole, fresh ingredients you can verify yourself. The apple cider vinegar adds a subtle brightness that balances the richness of the coconut oil, while the roasted lemon squeezed over at the end ties everything together with a pop of acidity. It's the kind of dinner that looks impressive enough for company but is genuinely straightforward to pull off on a weeknight.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 whole chicken (3.5–4 lb), giblets removed
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
Chef's tipFine sea salt and table salt measure the same - no conversion needed. - 1 lemon, zested and halved
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425°F (220°C). Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet.
- 2
Place the chicken breast-side down on a cutting board. Using kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone from tail to neck and remove it entirely. Flip the chicken breast-side up, open it flat, and press firmly down on the breastbone with the heel of your hand until you hear a crack and the bird lies flat.
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