ROAST CHICKEN WITH APRICOT STUFFING

Roast Chicken With Apricot Stuffing image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 4h30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram, plus sprigs for garnish
1 lemon, halved (half zested, both halves juiced)
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 5-to-6-pound chicken
1 small red onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
5 cups cubed day-old French bread
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon apricot preserves
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Steps:

Put 1/3 cup olive oil, the garlic, 1 tablespoon marjoram, the lemon zest and juice, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor and pulse to make a paste. Loosen the chicken skin with your fingers. Rub the paste under and over the skin and inside the cavity. Put the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight.
Make the stuffing: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red onion, celery and dried apricots and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the bread and parsley and cook, stirring, until combined, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Fill the chicken cavity with the stuffing, tie the legs together with twine and put breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan; tuck the wings underneath. Roast until the skin begins to brown, about 30 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue roasting until deep golden brown, about 1 more hour. (Cover loosely with foil if it's browning too quickly.)
Whisk the preserves and vinegar in a small bowl; brush on the chicken and continue roasting until the skin is crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 20 more minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before carving. Garnish with marjoram sprigs.