How Long to Roast Half Chicken

How long to cook half chicken in oven at 400 degrees makes your roasted bird moist with crispy skin too. Faster than baking a Whole Chicken at 350 with the same fork tender protein inside.

Roasted Half Chicken

We don’t always want to cook a whole bird right? If there are only a few of us at home I will usually cut it up into pieces like we do with our Baked Chicken Leg Quarters often, half is a bit more for every person though. If you still want to serve the whole thing you can, but sliced in 1/2 will make it cook fast and crispier too.

We have talked in length about How Long to Cook Chicken at 400 but I wanted to focus on this size with vegetables on a sheet pan at the same time. You can add them or cook just the meat, either way it is quite delicious and a healthy meal that is family friendly.

How Long to Cook Half Chicken in Oven at 400

I use a similar rub as I do with our Chicken Drumsticks at 400. I like a lot, well coated so each bite has a lot of flavors. This oven temperature is just about perfect for the inside texture and to get crispy chicken skin too. Sliced this way you are looking at about 50 minutes though larger sizes will take a while longer.

I am very particular when it comes to poultry. I like cage free organic which are in fact a bit smaller in size but far less fat and better texture. Honestly if you compare the two after being cooked and trimming you basically get the same amount of meat, and it is better for you. Just my opinion on that…..

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken cut in half, or just cook half at a time
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• 1 lemon sliced is a nice touch with a splash of lemon juice when served
• Use an instant read thermometer to check the temp
• Sharp kitchen shears will be needed to cut in half

If you do choose to add veggies you need those that bake at the same rate. Large bite size chunks of different potatoes and carrots work the best for this one. If you wanted something that doesn’t take long like Roast Zucchini in Oven you will want to bake that when the meat is resting.

Baked Half Chicken and Potatoes

The timing is most similar to Spatchcock Chicken really, except that one has the breast bone still in tact and connected. If you have never worked with a whole bird this way let’s go over some basics. You can add quartered potatoes or other vegetables as explained below to cook together at the same time.

How to cut a chicken in half with a knife

1. Start by rinsing under cold water and patting it dry with paper towels. Place the chicken breast side up on the cutting board.
2. You’ll need a sharp chef’s knife or a boning knife, as well as a cutting board. Make sure your knife is large enough to handle the whole thing all the way across and sharp enough to cut through bone.
3. Position the chicken so the neck is facing towards you. Use your knife, cut along one side of the backbone from end to end.
4. Use pressure to cut through the ribs and back bone. Do the same thing on the other side to completely remove the middle bone holding both sides together.
5. With the backbone removed, open the chicken up like a book, exposing the cavity. Use your hands to press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten. This will help break the breastbone and make it easier to cut the chicken in half.
6. Use your knife to cut through the center into two halves. Apply even pressure and use a rocking motion with your knife to cut through the bone. You may need to use some force to cut through the breastbone.

Then you can trim away any excess fat or skin if desired. This step is optional but can help reduce excess grease and improve the appearance of the chicken halves.

How to Cook Half of a Chicken

As opposed to making Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters, you can add assorted root vegetables peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks, for roasting too if you like (pictured we used 2 carrots, 2 sweet potatoes, 4 small russet potatoes). Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a small bowl, mix together dry rub with paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt and black pepper. Rub olive oil over the chicken.
• Then, add half of the seasoning mixture all over the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly, both on the skin and under the skin. If you can, lift the skin gently and rub some seasoning directly onto the meat.
• Put the seasoned chicken halves on a sheet pan.
• Tuck lemon slices underneath the chicken for added flavor. In a medium bowl, toss the root vegetables in the remaining olive oil.
• Toss the vegetables in the remaining seasoning blend.
• Arrange the vegetables around the chicken halves.
• Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
• Cooking times may vary based on your oven and the size of the chicken, so it’s essential to use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.

How to Cook Half Chicken in Oven

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let chicken rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist. Slice and serve. If you have some left, allow to cool for 30 minutes and keep in the fridge in a sealed container and make our Leftover Chicken Enchiladas Recipe the next day. Jump to and print recipe to get started.