Start this early in the day or the night before. Chilling the chicken uncovered for several hours makes the skin crispy when roasted.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 4 to 6 servings (plus leftovers)
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Butterfly the chicken.
Step 2
Tuck wing tips behind shoulder. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet. Using fingertips, separate skin from chicken over breasts and thighs. Insert 1 thyme sprig between skin and flesh over each breast and each thigh. Repeat with second chicken. Mix 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt and 2 teaspoons paprika in small bowl. Sprinkle all over chickens.
Step 3
Transfer uncovered chickens, skin side up, to refrigerator; chill at least 8 hours or overnight.
Step 4
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place potatoes in 11x7x2-inch baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss. Drizzle chicken with 2 teaspoons oil. Place chicken and potatoes in oven; roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, about 1 hour. Let chickens rest 10 minutes.
Step 5
Meanwhile, toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon chopped thyme. Return to oven and roast until tender and skins wrinkle slightly, about 5 minutes. Coarsely smash. Cut chickens into breast, wing, thigh, and leg pieces. Transfer to platter. Drizzle some drippings over; serve.
