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Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken

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Perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory featuring juicy whole chicken roasted to perfection with sweet tart maple syrup sauce, fresh cranberries, and fragrant herbs. Ideal for holidays or special dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 organic whole chicken (5 to 10 lbs)
  • ½ cup salted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 2 lemons, halved and sliced
  • 1 cup organic chicken stock
  • 1½ cups pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup organic cranberry juice
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease large baking dish, griddle pan, or dutch oven.
  2. Mix softened butter, olive oil, smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme in bowl.
  3. Dress chicken with seasoned butter under and over the skin.
  4. Place chicken in prepared pan breast side up with feet tied. Add crushed garlic, quartered onions, and lemons around and inside chicken.
  5. Pour chicken stock around chicken.
  6. Roast for 1 hour, then check and baste with pan liquids.
  7. Combine maple syrup, cranberries, cranberry juice, and red pepper flakes in saucepan over medium high heat. Season with salt and black pepper. Boil for 1 to 2 minutes, then simmer on low for another 1 to 2 minutes.
  8. After 1 hour of roasting, pour half the glaze over chicken.
  9. Continue roasting for 30 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  10. In last 10 minutes, brush on remaining glaze.
  11. Remove from oven and rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

  • Cook 20 to 25 minutes per pound for accurate timing.
  • Can spatchcock larger chickens for better, more even cooking.
  • Brining is optional but highly recommended for extra juiciness.
  • Make ahead: Can brine up to 24 hours ahead, prepare glaze 2 to 3 days ahead.

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