Description
This Festive Orange and Cranberry Roast Chicken features a juicy whole chicken roasted in a sweet-tart glaze of fresh orange juice, cranberries, and honey. Infused with garlic and herbs, it’s the perfect balance of savory and citrus, ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (4 to 5 pounds)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix orange juice, zest, honey, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Reserve half for basting.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Place chicken in a roasting pan. Pat dry. Pour chicken broth around it and scatter cranberries.
- Assemble the Dish: Rub glaze all over the chicken, including under the skin. Tuck rosemary inside the cavity.
- Cook to Perfection: Roast uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes or until the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C). Baste with reserved glaze halfway through.
- Finishing Touches: Optional: broil for 2 to 3 minutes for caramelization. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Carve and serve with roasted cranberries and pan juices.
Notes
- Let chicken sit at room temperature 20 minutes before roasting for even cooking.
- Use fresh citrus and herbs for boldest flavor.
- Leftovers work great in sandwiches or salads.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 6 oz chicken)
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: orange cranberry roast chicken, festive roast chicken, holiday chicken recipe, orange glaze chicken, cranberry chicken dinner