Christmas Honey-Glazed Roast Chicken

This festive roast features a succulent chicken basted in a sweet and savory glaze of local honey, soy, and a touch of orange juice. The glaze caramelizes in the oven, creating a beautiful golden-brown finish and a deeply flavorful skin that balances salt and sweetness. It is a stunning and approachable holiday main dish that is sure to be a favorite for both kids and adults.

240 minHigh ProteinLow CarbGluten Free

This festive roast features a succulent chicken basted in a sweet and savory glaze of local honey, soy, and a touch of orange juice. The glaze caramelizes in the oven, creating a beautiful golden-brown finish and a deeply flavorful skin that balances salt and sweetness. It is a stunning and approachable holiday main dish that is sure to be a favorite for both kids and adults.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Whole chicken
  • 30 tbsp Olive oil
  • 5 tbsp Garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp Dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tsp Sea salt
  • 120 g Fresh cranberries
  • 3 tsp Fresh rosemary
  • 30 tbsp Honey
  • 15 cups Orange juice
  • 5 tbsp Melted butter

Instructions

  1. If the chicken is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator a day in advance. Place the chicken on a plate while thawing to prevent juices from contaminating other foods.
  2. Preheat the oven to moderate-high heat.
  3. If there are giblets inside the cavity, remove them and set aside or discard.
  4. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels, inside and out.
  5. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, dried rosemary, black pepper, and sea salt.
  6. Rub the mixture evenly over the whole chicken, including inside the cavity, and gently massage.
  7. Refrigerate to marinate for at least a short while, preferably overnight.
  8. Stuff the cavity with all of the orange, all of the lemon, fresh cranberries, and rosemary.
  9. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
  10. Place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan.
  11. Roast until the thickest part of the thigh reaches a safe internal temperature.
  12. Near the end of roasting, mix honey, orange juice (or chicken stock), and butter into a glaze.
  13. Brush the glaze over the chicken and continue roasting until golden on the surface.
  14. Remove the roasted chicken, loosely tent with foil, and rest briefly.
  15. Remove the twine, carve, and serve.