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Start a new holiday tradition with this delicious Christmas chicken recipe. Loaded with citrusy oranges, rosemary, and garlic flavors, it is a beautiful and flavorful holiday dinner for your table!
“Whether you are hosting a small family dinner, or you want a pre-holiday feast before your Christmas Ham, this chicken is perfect. It’s easy to make, and budget friendly too.”
-Becky
After roasting, this Christmas feast has a perfect balance of sweet and savory, making every bite melt in your mouth! So skip the turkey and try a new dish that your friends and family will love.
If you’re planning a holiday spread and want to add a traditional Roasted Turkey with this chicken, be sure to include favorites like this Baked Brie for starter. Then add Homemade Dinner Rolls, Homemade Stuffing, Roasted Potatoes and Cranberry Orange Sauce for classic side dishes. And don’t forget to finish off with Grinch Fudge or Homemade Apple Pie for dessert!
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Will Need
- whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds): A fresh or thawed whole chicken.
- oranges, sliced (plus extra slices for garnish): Juicy citrus slices add flavor and color to the chicken.
- sprigs fresh rosemary: fresh herbs enhance the overall flavor.
- garlic cloves, smashed: Adds extra flavor to the chicken.
- olive oil or softened butter: Adds moisture and helps create a crispy, golden skin.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Classic seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
- chicken broth or stock: Basting with broth will help keep the chicken moist while roasting. Make your own with this simple Homemade Chicken Stock Recipe.
- Optional: 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds or cranberries for garnish: Bright and festive simple touches to make the chicken a beautiful Christmas dinner.
Variations
- Change the Seasonings: Rub the chicken with butter, mixed with garlic and dried parsley flakes, over and under the skin for a delicious garlic and herb chicken.
- Add Orange Juice: For an extra citrus touch, add 1/4 cup of orange juice to the recipe.
How to Make Christmas Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with foil or use a roasting bag for easier cleanup. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Then season it generously with salt and pepper, inside and out.
- Stuff the chicken cavity with the orange slices, rosemary sprigs, and the smashed garlic cloves. Truss the chicken with twine if necessary. Evenly brush or rub olive oil or softened butter over the chicken skin.
- Place the chicken, breast side up, in the prepared roasting pan. Then pour the chicken broth over the chicken and around the base of the pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, basting occasionally, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. (Use an instant read meat thermometer like this one.)
- Once done, let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, sugared cranberries, or extra orange slices for a festive touch.
Expert Tips
- Dry Thoroughly: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This will help the skin to become crispy.
- Baste Regularly: Spoon pan juices over the chicken every 20-30 minutes to keep it moist and enhance flavor.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 165°F in the thickest part of the breast. Overcooking can cause the chicken to be dry.
- Let it Rest: Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to settle into the chicken, making it tender and moist.
- Serve with Seasonal Sides: Don’t forget to add amazing sides like this orange cranberry sauce or serve with this festive homemade Sangria. You can also add make festive desserts like these Christmas Tree Cupcakes or these simple Meringue Christmas Trees.
Christmas Chicken FAQ’s
Absolutely! Chicken breast or chicken thighs will work. However, you will need to adjust the cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
Don’t skip basting! Also, let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to lock in the juices.
This chicken is perfect to make ahead of time! You can stuff it and let it sit in the broth and seasonings overnight, then roast just before serving.
More Holiday Recipes
Holidays
Holiday Sliders
Desserts
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Breakfast
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Meals
Spiral Ham
If you have tried this recipe or any others from Celebrating Simply, I’d love it if you would leave a ⭐ star rating and share your thoughts in the ✍️ comments below. Your feedback means a lot!
Christmas Chicken
Equipment
- Roasting Pan
- Baster
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, about 4-5 pounds
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 4 sprigs rosemary
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup olive oil, or melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional Garnish: 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds, cranberries, or extra orange slices.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with foil or use a roasting bag for easier cleanup.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season it generously with salt and pepper, inside and out.
- Stuff the chicken cavity with the orange slices, rosemary sprigs, and the smashed garlic cloves. Truss the chicken with twine if necessary.
- Evenly rub olive oil or softened butter over the chicken skin.
- Place the chicken, breast side up, in the prepared roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and around the base of the pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, basting occasionally, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Let the chicken to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this holiday meal!