Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (4 to 5 pound) whole roasting chicken
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large orange, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create a rub. Generously rub the butter mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin of the breast.
- Step 2: Place the chicken in a large roasting pan or on a rack set in a sheet pan. Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the two halves of the orange. Roast the chicken for 15 minutes at 425°F.
- Step 3: While the chicken roasts, combine the maple syrup and cranberries in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 3 minutes until the syrup slightly thickens and some cranberries begin to soften, then remove from heat.
- Step 4: Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Brush the chicken evenly with half of the maple cranberry glaze mixture. Continue roasting for another 45-60 minutes, basting with the remaining glaze every 15 minutes until the skin is deeply browned and glossy.
- Step 5: The chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving with the cooked cranberries from the pan.
Notes
- Store leftover carved chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days; the cranberry glaze may become firm in the fridge, but will soften when reheated.
- To gently reheat, wrap individual servings in foil with a splash of chicken stock and warm them in a 300°F oven until just heated through to prevent dryness.
- Instead of traditional gravy, spoon the warm pan juices and softened cranberries directly over mashed sweet potatoes or wild rice pilaf for a perfect holiday side.
- Wait until you reduce the oven temperature to 375°F before applying the first layer of maple glaze; applying sugary glazes too early during the 425°F blast can cause the skin to burn before the chicken is cooked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American