Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
2 cups apples, cored and quartered (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
1 medium onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the inside and outside of the chicken with salt and pepper.
Make the Filling:
In a large bowl, combine the quartered apples, cranberries, onion, and minced garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and honey, then sprinkle with thyme and rosemary. Toss to coat.
Stuff the Chicken:
Stuff the apple and cranberry mixture into the cavity of the chicken. If there are any leftover fruits, spread them around the chicken in the roasting pan.
Roast the Chicken:
Place the chicken in a roasting pan, breast side up. Drizzle a little more olive oil over the top and season with additional salt and pepper.
Roast in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the juices run clear. Baste the chicken with the pan juices halfway through cooking.
Serve:
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Serve with the roasted apple and cranberry mixture on the side, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Servings: 6-8
Enjoy this delicious Apple & Cranberry Roasted Chicken, a perfect centerpiece for your dinner table! 🍏🦃