Lately, I have been wanting to find a part of the chicken that is easy to cook but still has the right taste and crispness. I frequent a butcher shop whenever possible and I noticed one type of cut for chicken that needs a little more recognition. One very common cut for poultry supermarket and the butcher shop is a spatchcocked poultry, and I found this is ideal for my next Paleo diet recipe.
I always try to find the best ways to have poultry meat, cooking it fast without compromising its taste and the heavenly crisp you can possibly get. And through this research, I also found about spatchcock poultry, ideal for cooking poultry meat faster but it helps to keep all the taste and crispness of the skin intact. All types of poultry can be spatchcocked – turkey, chicken, Cornish hens, you name it. Spatchcock or spatch cock means the poultry is split on the backbone and pressed flat, sometimes you may find that the backbone is completely removed in order to have a flatter poultry. For some, it is also known as butterflying the whole poultry.
Spatchcocked poultry is best for using in Paleo diet recipes where grilling, roasting, and even baking are involved. So when I get the chance of buying chicken from my favorite butcher shop, I ask to have my chicken spatchcocked. The butcher gladly obliges and I get to whip up this amazing chicken dish. The chicken is roasted to perfection and the veggies I use with it complement this chicken Paleo recipe perfectly. It’s a dish that you can serve on those nights that your kids and/or partner want something new for their chicken or those special occasions that need a special dish.
- 4 Lbs (1.82 kg.) Chicken – Spatchcocked
- 1-2 Onions – Chopped
- 3-4 Sweet Potatoes – Cleaned And Chopped
- 1 Lemon
- 2 Tablespoons (30 g) Butter
- Salt
- • Have your oven ready by preheating it to 500° F (260° C). You will also need a roasting pan big enough to hold your chicken and vegetables.
- • Lay the chicken flat on the roasting pan. Scatter your vegetables around the chicken. Cut the vegetables smaller so they can cook faster.
- • Salt the vegetables and chicken.
- • Cut the lemon into thin slices and place across the chicken (this will give out a lovely aroma and taste for your meal!).
- • Roast the chicken and vegetables under high temperature until internal temp of chicken reaches 165° F (74° C).
- • Remove from the oven and serve while hot!
If you want to make a gravy, especially when kids demand some, you can use the drippings from the roasted chicken and you’ll get one of the best gravies ever. But we didn’t think we needed it since the roasted chicken and veggies (all of which are on any Paleo diet food list) are perfect as they are! But this recipe works best when you get the chicken fresh and cut by your favorite butcher when possible. Though getting one from the poultry section of the supermarket is convenient, the quality of the chicken, or any meat, may not be as much as its worth. Remember that the Paleo guidelines give special credit for fresh ingredients especially in meat.
While other prefer convenience on frozen and already cut meat in grocery stores, nothing beats meat from butcher stores. In some countries, you get to find wet markets where you get to choose the meat and cut just the way you want it. If you are one of those who get wobbly feet and back out just when you’re about to enter a butcher shop, then you need to know these benefits of getting meat from a local butcher (the last one is a bonus!).
You Get To Choose The Meat
Isn’t it frustrating when you go to the supermarket to buy a certain cut of meat and find out it’s not available? Or that, you can’t seem to find the right meat that goes well along with the type of meals you have planned for the day or the week. In a butcher’s shop, you get to choose the exact type of meat you’ll need without checking one package from another. You don’t have to worry about having the wrong meat since butchers and store assistants will help you and even give you an advice or two about the meat you are about to buy.
You Are Assured Of The Quality
Butcher stores often, if not always, only get fresh meat mostly from local farmers. This is to make sure they have the best and freshest meat of different kinds to offer to their patrons. They are also keen to what their new, current and future customers will say about the quality of meat they present because they need to keep their customer satisfied. If it’s the reputation for quality is what you are after, then you might want to start checking the local butcher shop around your area. You’ll be amazed at the quality and variety of meat you’ll get from these stores.
You Can Get Just Enough Of the Paleo Diet Meat That You Need
Ever had that moment when the packaged meat in the supermarket is too much or less than the meat you’ll need for the meal? I’ve been through it before and I know how it feels to rummage for the right amount of meat through the heap of packages, or how to instruct the supermarket staff on how much meat you need but to no avail. In a butcher’s shop, it is a lot easier. You just need to ask for the type of meat you’ll need and how much. You get no less than what you’ll need and you can even ask for the exact cut that you want for your meat.
You Are Helping Local Producers And Farmers
Most butchers prefer local farmers in order to have the freshest meat in their stores. Although frozen meat is convenient, you cannot deny the fact that the taste, texture, and nutrients from fresh meat is still superb. There are also some local farmers and producers that are getting involved in organic farming, which is a big plus for people who are practicing the Paleo diet. You are also minimizing costs because it is cheaper to buy meat in a butcher’s shop. At the same time, you are helping to maximize the profit of both the butcher shops and local farmers. The steady amount of profit keeps their businesses going and helps them continue their practice to deliver quality products. All of which are then classed as being an approved Paleo food.
Butchers Are Friendly!
If you’ve ever been intimidated by butchers, that’s fine, you’re not the only one. Many people think twice in getting meat from local butchers because they can be a bit intimidating (with a knife in their hands, even scary). But butchers are quite friendly and you really don’t have to think twice about the cut you want for your meat. As long as they can do it, they will be more than happy to oblige on your request. They are the friendliest bunch of fellows who can give you top notch service and the best meat in town.
Whether you need tons of meat for a party or just a few pounds for today’s meal, drop by a butcher shop and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to get quality meat. Having fresh chicken for this meal will also give you a better outcome and get your family’s tummies and taste buds satisfied. So man up and get past that butcher shop’s door to get the best meat!