This homemade Roast Chicken will look so fantastic on your Christmas table. If you are not keen on turkey for Christmas make this buttery chicken, roasted within the aromas of Christmas spices and fresh oranges. It makes a fabulous main for the big event and it will please the palates of your guests…guaranteed.
Serves: 4-5
Hands on: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 80 minutes
Ingredients
1 chicken (2kg / 4,4 lb. / 70,5 oz.)
2 orange pieces cut in ¼
1 ½ tablespoon salt
25 g (0,88 oz.) butter
Juice from half an orange
zest from 1 orange
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons honey
100 g (3,5 oz.) water
How to do it
Preheat the oven to 180°C (356° F) set to fan.
Place the chicken on a baking pan with the chicken breast facing down.
Put inside the chicken some of the salt and two of the 1/4 orange pieces.
In a pan, melt the butter over low heat, add all the remaining ingredients inside (salt, orange juice, orange zest, honey and the spices) and mix well. Do not add the water.
Brush the outside well with some the butter mix.
Cover it with aluminum foil and roast it for 20 minutes.
Remove the baking pan from the oven, and flip the chicken over (to do it use a carving fork).
Time to add the water to the baking pan.
Brush the chicken again with the butter mix, and roast for one more hour.
Every 15 minutes brush again with the butter mix.
When ready take the baking pan out of the oven, cover it again with aluminum foil, and let the chicken rest for 20 minutes.
Serve with pomegranate seeds, thyme and rosemary.