Coconut, Lime and Chilli Spatchcock Chicken
By OcadoLife
Published on 13 February 2025
Chef and cookbook author Seema Pankhania created this Coconut, Lime and Chilli Spatchcock Chicken – a whole bird roasted to perfection with fragrant spices on a bed of shallots and coconut milk, then served with a rich broth made from the juices. Time and servings
1 hr 25 minsTotal time
4Servings
30 minsPrep time
55 minsCooking time
Ingredients
- 1 medium chicken (approx. 1.5kg)
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 5 birdseye chillies, plus 1 extra, sliced, to garnish (optional)
- 6 garlic cloves
- 4cm piece ginger, peeled
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- 400g shallots, peeled and halved if large
- 1 (400ml) tin coconut milk
- 4 (approx.) limes, juiced, plus extra wedges
- 15g coriander sprigs, to garnish
- 15g thai basil leaves, to garnish
Method
Step 1
To spatchcock the chicken, remove the backbone using kitchen scissors and press down firmly to flatten it.Step 2
To make the marinade, combine the coriander, cumin and fennel seeds, black peppercorns, chilli powder, fish sauce, soy sauce, chillies, garlic, ginger, sugar and 1 tsp salt in a blender; blitz to a paste. Rub it generously over the chicken, front and back. Place in a large container, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hr or ideally overnight if time permits.Step 3
Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Arrange the shallots in a roasting tin and top with the chicken, skin-side up. Pour 200ml coconut milk into the tin, then roast for 50 mins or until the skin is blistered and the bird is cooked through.Step 4
Remove the chicken and shallots to a serving platter. Transfer the roasting tin with all its juices to the hob, add the remaining coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Stir in the lime juice; season.Step 5
Serve the chicken with the shallots and coconut-lime sauce, with a scattering of coriander and thai basil, plus extra chilli, if liked, and lime wedges.Step 6
Recipe Tip: Allow 1 hour or ideally overnight for the chicken to marinate.