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Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken Recipe

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This Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken recipe combines the rich flavors of a perfectly roasted whole chicken with a sweet and tangy maple cranberry glaze. The chicken is seasoned under the skin with a delicious blend of butter, olive oil, and spices, then roasted with fresh garlic, onions, and lemons to infuse moisture and flavor. A homemade maple cranberry glaze adds a beautiful glossy finish and a hint of warmth from red pepper flakes, making this dish perfect for festive dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

  • 1 organic whole chicken (about 5–10 lbs)
  • ½ cup salted butter, softened (can use unsalted if preferred)
  • 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 (white, yellow, or red)
  • 2 lemons, halved and sliced
  • 1 cup organic chicken stock

Maple Cranberry Glaze:

  • 1 ½ 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

Optional Brine:

  • 2 cups water
  • Salt (amount per blog post or around ½ cup)
  • Brown sugar (amount per blog post or around ½ cup)
  • Additional cold water (about 8-10 cups to cool brine)

Instructions

  1. Optional Brining: Combine 2 cups water, salt, and brown sugar in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil for 5-6 minutes, then remove from heat and add cold water to cool the brine. Clean the chicken by removing neck, gizzards, and excess fat, rinse with lemon or lime juice water. Place chicken in a brining bag, cover fully with brine, seal, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Before cooking, remove chicken, pat dry, and air-dry for 30-60 minutes.
  2. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish, griddle pan, or a large Dutch oven and set aside.
  3. Make Seasoned Butter: In a bowl, mix softened butter, olive oil, smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme until smooth and well combined.
  4. Season Chicken: With dry chicken, use your fingers to carefully rub the seasoned butter directly under the skin and over the entire chicken, ensuring full coverage.
  5. Arrange Chicken and Aromatics: Place the chicken breast-side up in the prepared pan. Tie the feet together with twine if desired. Stuff the cavity and surround the chicken with crushed garlic, quartered onions, and halved and sliced lemons. Pour the chicken stock around the chicken to keep it moist during roasting.
  6. Roast the Chicken: Place the chicken in the oven and roast for about 1 hour. After this time, spoon any released juices over the chicken to keep it moist.
  7. Prepare Maple Cranberry Glaze: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine maple syrup, cranberries, cranberry juice, and red pepper flakes (optional). Stir and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for another 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  8. Glaze the Chicken: Halfway through the total roasting time (around the 45-minute mark), pour half of the maple cranberry glaze over the chicken and around the sides. Continue roasting for another 30 minutes or until the chicken is golden and the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  9. Final Glaze and Rest: In the last 10 minutes, brush the remaining glaze over the chicken for a shiny, sticky finish. When done, remove chicken from oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving and serving.
  10. Serve: Carve the chicken, spoon extra glaze as desired, and enjoy your festive, flavor-packed roast chicken.

Notes

  • The brining step is optional but helps ensure moist and flavorful meat.
  • Adjust the size of the chicken between 5-10 lbs depending on your serving needs.
  • You can add fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage to the cavity for extra flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness of 165°F (74°C) internally.
  • Butter under the skin ensures moisture and flavor infusion.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes in glaze for desired spice level.
  • Allow resting time for juices to redistribute and chicken to remain moist when carving.

Keywords: roast chicken, cranberry maple glaze, holiday chicken, roasted whole chicken, sweet and savory chicken, maple syrup chicken

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/cranberry-maple-roast-chicken-recipe/