Description
This show-stopping Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken perfectly balances rustic comfort with festive flair. It features a juicy, whole-roasted chicken infused with the deep, earthy sweetness of pure maple syrup and the vibrant, tart pop of fresh cranberries. Ideal for holiday feasts or a cozy Sunday dinner, this recipe delivers golden-brown, succulent results with a beautiful aroma that fills your entire kitchen. It is a healthy, simple, and impressive poultry dish that makes entertaining effortless.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (approx. 4 lbs)
2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 medium orange, zested and juiced
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, olive oil, orange juice, orange zest, and minced rosemary.
Place the chicken in a roasting pan.
Stuff the chicken cavity with the smashed garlic cloves and a handful of cranberries.
Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body.
Pour half of the maple-cranberry mixture over the chicken and scatter the remaining cranberries around the bottom of the pan.
Roast for 70-80 minutes, basting with the pan juices every 20 minutes.
Check for doneness with a meat thermometer until it registers 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce often tastes better the next day. For extra crispy skin, turn on the broiler for the final 2-3 minutes of cooking, but watch closely to prevent the maple syrup from burning.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 75
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 165mg