CIDER-ROASTED CHICKEN

Cider-Roasted Chicken image

I'VE never shared this recipe before, even with members of my own family. I use it only for special occasions such as Christmas. I found the recipe in the first real good cookbook I owned, and my six children love it. I've also been inspired to enter cooking contests and have won several times. -Mary Dunphy, Stephenville, Newfoundland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 4h

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 whole roasting chicken (5 to 7 pounds)
1/4 cup butter
2-1/2 cups apple cider
6 to 8 small unpeeled red potatoes, quartered
6 to 8 small onions, peeled and quartered
1 to 2 medium green peppers, cut into strips
6 to 8 bacon strips
2 to 4 small tomatoes, quartered

Steps:

Place chicken, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan; dot with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325°; bake for 2 hours. , Pour cider over chicken. Add the potatoes, onions and peppers to the pan; place bacon over chicken breast. Bake 1 hour longer, basting often. , Add tomatoes to the pan. Bake 30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180°. Cover and let stand 10 minutes before carving. Thicken the pan juices for gravy if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 724 calories, Fat 44g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 182mg cholesterol, Sodium 386mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 50g protein.