Christmas Roast Chicken with Orange Butter

Christmas Roast Chicken on a white platter with halved oranges and fresh herbs.

Christmas Roast Chicken with Orange Butter

This Christmas roast chicken recipe has crispy skin dusted with holiday spices, and juicy, tender meat. It's the perfect festive main dish for Christmas day!

5 from 67 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 1 10

Servings: people

Calories: 578kcal

Equipment

Roasting Pan or Large Sheet Tray
Kitchen Knife
Meat Thermometer
Carving Knife

Ingredients

Orange Butter

1 orange zest of
2 tablespoons butter softened, unsalted

Roast Chicken

olive oil or butter for greasing the pan
1 (4-pound) whole chicken
2 to 3 sprigs fresh sage
2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 to 3 springs fresh thyme
2 oranges halved

Spice Mixture

½ teaspoon chipotle powder
½ tablespoon garlic powder
½ tablespoon kosher salt
½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ tablespoon ground cloves
½ tablespoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

Orange Butter

Mix the zest of one orange with 2 tablespoons of softened butter.

Spice Blend

Mix the chipotle powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and brown sugar together.

Roast Chicken

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the chicken come to room temperature, about 30 minutes to an hour. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Spread the orange zest butter under the skin of the chicken using a spatula or your fingers.
Sprinkle the top of the chicken with the spice blend.
Stuff the chicken cavity with fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Truss the bird, add some olive oil or butter to the roasting pan or a large sheet tray, and place the chicken in breast side up.
Cook for the chicken uncovered for 30 minutes, then remove from the oven and check for doneness. Baste with pan juices.
Cook for another 15 to 30 minutes. The chicken is fully cooked when a meat thermometer inserted into the thicket part of the thigh has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the juices run clear.
Taste a small piece of the bird for seasoning, adding salt if needed. Allow the chicken to rest for about 15 minutes. Carve the chicken and serve.

Notes

General

If you are sensitive to spice, you can replace the chipotle powder with chili powder or paprika, or omit entirely.

Storage

Fridge Store leftover roast chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer In order to freeze, remove the chicken skin and remove the cooked chicken from the bone. Shred the chicken or leave in small whole pieces. Place in a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 4 months.
Reheating from fridge: You can reheat whole chicken parts (thighs, drumsticks) in a 400 degree-Fahrenheit oven for about 15 minutes. You can also reheat shredded chicken or smaller pieces in the microwave.
From the freezer: You can reheat shredded frozen chicken on a covered plate with a bit of water in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through.

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