APPLE-GLAZED ROAST CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• GLAZE:
• In a 1-1/2- to 2-quart saucepan stir together vinegar and jelly.
• Heat; stir over medium heat.
• Bring to boiling.
• Boil glaze gently, uncovered, for 20 minutes until syrupy and reduced to about 1 cup, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in apple pie spice.
• Divide glaze in half; set aside. (Glaze will thicken as it stands; stir before brushing over chicken and apples.)
• CHICKEN:.
• Preheat oven to 325°F
• Skewer neck skin of chicken to back; tie legs to tail.
• Twist wing tips under back.
• Place chicken, breast side up, on a rack in roasting pan.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Roast, uncovered, 1-1/4 hours.
• Cut string.
• Place apples around chicken.
• RICE:.
• Meanwhile, in 1-qt. casserole combine rice and seasoning mix, water, and butter; cover. Set aside.
• Brush chicken and apples with some of one portion of glaze.
• Sprinkle with pepper.
• Roast chicken and rice together in oven for 1 to 1-1/4 hours more or until instant-read thermometer registers 180F when inserted into thickest part of the thigh and juices run clear, brushing with remainder of the glaze portion twice.
• Stir green onion into rice.
• Transfer rice to platter; top with chicken and apples.
• Cover with foil.
• SAUCE:
• Skim fat from juices in roasting pan; discard.
• Pour remaining glaze portion into the roasting pan.
• Using wooden spoon, scrape up any brown bits stuck to bottom of pan (place pan on stove top over medium heat, if necessary, to heat glaze).
• Strain; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer to gravy boat.
• Garnish with sage. Makes 6 servings.