How Long to Cook Chicken on a Spit Roaster | Complete Time & Temp Guide

Cooking a whole chicken on a spit roaster is a time-honoured tradition that delivers juicy, flavourful results. 

We’re here to guide you through the process, helping you determine how long it takes to cook a chicken to perfection and offering tips to optimise your roasting experience.

Cooking Time: The 90-Minute Rule

When roasting a whole chicken on a spit, the general rule of thumb is to allow approximately 90 minutes for it to cook properly. This time frame ensures that the chicken is evenly cooked, with a golden, crispy exterior and juicy, tender meat inside. However, the exact cooking time can vary based on several factors, which we’ll explore below.

Factors Affecting Cooking Time

1. Size of the Chicken:

Larger chickens will naturally take longer to cook than smaller ones. If you’re cooking a particularly large bird, you may need to extend the cooking time beyond 90 minutes to ensure it’s fully cooked.

2. External Temperature:

The ambient temperature plays a significant role in cooking time. If it’s a hot day, your chicken may cook faster, while colder weather can slow down the process. To mitigate this, try to position your spit roaster in a location that is sheltered from the wind, as gusts can affect the consistency of the heat.

3. Prepping the Chicken:

One way to speed up the cooking process is to butterfly your chicken. By splitting the bird open and flattening it, you increase the surface area exposed to the heat, allowing it to cook more quickly. Placing a butterflied chicken in a rotisserie basket can cut your cooking time in half, reducing it to about 45 minutes.

Pro Tip: Preparing Your Chicken for the Spit

Before you even place your chicken on the spit, there’s a crucial step that many home cooks overlook: allowing the meat to come to room temperature. Taking your chicken out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking helps it cook more evenly, preventing the outside from burning before the inside is fully cooked.

Monitoring the Cook: Using an Instant-Read Thermometer

For the best results, we highly recommend investing in a good instant-read thermometer. This tool is essential for ensuring your chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 75°C (165°F). Simply pierce the thickest part of the meat—typically the breast or thigh—to check the temperature. This not only guarantees food safety but also helps you avoid overcooking, which can dry out the meat.

Conclusion: Achieving Spit Roasting Perfection

Cooking a whole chicken on a spit roaster is both an art and a science. By allowing approximately 90 minutes for a whole chicken, adjusting for factors like size and external temperature, and following our expert tips, you can achieve a perfectly roasted chicken every time. Whether you choose to roast your chicken whole or butterfly it for a quicker cook, the key is to monitor the process and make adjustments as needed.

For more expert advice and in-depth tutorials on spit roasting, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to leave a comment below—we’re here to help you master the art of spit roasting.

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 By Rhiannon Peterson