FESTIVE ROAST CHICKEN

Festive Roast Chicken image

With rosemary, apples, cranberries and ginger, this is not your ordinary roasted chicken! It's a great alternative to turkey for a smaller holiday gathering.-Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 2h35m

Yield 6 servings (5 cups gravy).

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter, softened
5 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary, divided
1 roasting chicken (6 to 7 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 medium apples, peeled and cubed
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
3 tablespoons lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine butter and 3 teaspoons rosemary. Place chicken, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan; tie drumsticks together with kitchen string. Rub butter mixture over chicken; sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the apples, onion, cranberries, 3/4 cup broth, lemon juice, garlic, ginger and 1 teaspoon rosemary; place around chicken. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour. Pour apple juice over chicken. Bake 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours longer or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting every 30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if chicken browns too quickly. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes before carving chicken., Pour drippings and apple mixture into a blender; skim fat. Cover and process until blended. Transfer to a large saucepan. Stir in the vinegar, honey and remaining broth and rosemary; heat through. Serve with chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 731 calories, Fat 39g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 199mg cholesterol, Sodium 626mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (29g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 58g protein.