The Ultimate Orange Honey Glazed Roast Chicken: A Juicy & Flavorful Holiday Centerpiece
Prepare to elevate your culinary experience with this exquisite **Orange Honey Glazed Roast Chicken**. This isn’t just any roast chicken; it’s a masterpiece of flavors, boasting a delectably juicy and tender interior, enveloped in a golden-brown, crispy skin. Infused with a vibrant spice rub and aromatic fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme, this chicken promises an unforgettable meal.
What truly sets this recipe apart is its luscious orange honey glaze. This sweet-citrus coating caramelizes beautifully in the oven, imparting a sensational tang and sweetness that perfectly complements the savory chicken. Every bite delivers a harmonious explosion of flavors – a true culinary delight that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to impress your family and friends; you absolutely need to make this!
Honey and Orange Glazed Roast Chicken: A Festive Favorite
There’s something inherently comforting and satisfying about a perfectly roasted chicken straight from the oven. The ideal roast chicken boasts a gloriously crispy skin, sealing in all the moisture to ensure a wonderfully juicy and tender meat. This is the gold standard we always strive for, and this recipe absolutely delivers.
While I often enjoy whipping up a simple one-pan meal, perhaps adding delicious potatoes to the roasted chicken for an easy weeknight dinner, or even making a whole chicken in the slow cooker for a hands-off approach, some occasions call for something a bit more special. With the holidays just around the corner, I found myself craving a dish that felt both festive and manageable. A grand turkey is undeniably an American classic for Christmas and Thanksgiving, but for smaller gatherings, or when you simply prefer a different bird, a whole roasted chicken makes a magnificent centerpiece without the overwhelming size.
That’s precisely why I decided to focus on chicken this time. It offers the same celebratory feel as a turkey but is often more practical for smaller families or intimate holiday dinners. The goal was to create a dish that tasted incredibly indulgent yet was surprisingly straightforward to prepare, allowing more time to enjoy the company of loved ones. This Orange Honey Glazed Roast Chicken fits that bill perfectly, bringing warmth, aroma, and exquisite flavor to any festive table.
Crafting the Perfect Glazed Roast Chicken: Secrets to Success
This recipe is all about layering incredible flavors to achieve that “perfect” glazed roast chicken experience. We start by deeply seasoning the chicken, both inside and out. The secret begins by filling the chicken’s cavity with vibrant orange segments and an aromatic blend of fresh herbs – rosemary, sage, and thyme. As the chicken roasts, these ingredients release their essences, infusing the meat from within with a subtle, fragrant perfume. This internal flavoring technique ensures every part of the chicken is bursting with taste.
Externally, the chicken is generously coated with a savory and slightly spicy herb rub. This rub forms the foundational flavor, creating a delightful crust as it bakes. Once the chicken is nearly cooked through, that’s when the magic of the honey orange glaze comes into play. Brushing this sweet and tangy glaze onto the hot chicken allows it to caramelize beautifully, forming a glistening, irresistible skin. The final stage of baking helps to deepen this caramelization, locking in moisture and intensifying the citrus-sweet notes. This two-step approach ensures a dynamic flavor profile and a texture that’s both wonderfully crispy on the outside and incredibly soft and tender on the inside.
The result is a chicken that’s truly exceptional – wonderfully crispy, irresistibly tender, and bursting with a complex yet balanced flavor. It’s the kind of dish that garners rave reviews and becomes an instant classic. This is definitely going to be gracing my table this Thanksgiving or Christmas, and I’m thrilled to share this show-stopping recipe with you so you can enjoy it too!
Why You’ll Love This Orange Honey Glazed Roast Chicken
- Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of a robust spice rub, fresh herbs, citrus, and sweet honey creates a symphony of flavors that is truly gourmet.
- Perfect Texture: Expect crispy, golden-brown skin and incredibly juicy, tender meat every single time.
- Holiday Worthy: Elegant enough for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas, yet simple enough for a flavorful Sunday supper.
- Aromatic Experience: Your kitchen will be filled with the most enticing aromas as this chicken roasts, making the anticipation even sweeter.
- Versatile Side Pairing: This chicken pairs beautifully with a wide array of side dishes, from roasted vegetables to creamy gratins.
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📖 Recipe
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Andréa
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Ingredients
Spice rub
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon allspice ground
Roasted Chicken with Stuffing
- 1 Whole chicken, all organs and neck removed
- ½ orange, cut into segments
- ½ onion, cut into wedges
- 1 sprig fresh sage
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Orange Honey Glaze
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- ½ teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
Spice Rub Preparation
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In a small bowl, combine all the listed spice rub ingredients. Stir thoroughly until all spices are well mixed.1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon allspice ground
Roasted Chicken Preparation
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Preheat your oven to 395 °F (200°C) or 355°F (180°C) if using a convection oven.
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Place the whole chicken on a clean surface or cutting board. Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken dry, both inside and out. This helps achieve a crispier skin.1 Whole chicken
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Carefully fill the cavity of the chicken with the orange segments, onion wedges, fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme sprigs. This infuses aromatic flavors as it cooks.½ orange, ½ onion, 1 sprig fresh sage, 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, 3 sprigs fresh thyme
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Gently create an opening between the skin and the breast meat by carefully loosening it with your fingers. This is usually easier at the top and bottom of the breast area, avoiding the legs. Spread approximately half of the prepared spice rub evenly under the skin over the breast meat.
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Brush the entire exterior of the chicken skin with vegetable oil. Then, evenly spread the remaining spice rub over the entire chicken, ensuring it’s well coated for maximum flavor and crispiness.2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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Place the seasoned chicken on a wire rack set within an oven-safe roasting dish. Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 75 minutes, or until an internal meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (without touching bone) registers 140 °F (60°C). This is the stage before glazing.
Orange Honey Glaze Preparation
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While the chicken is roasting, prepare the orange honey glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, honey, minced garlic, white wine vinegar, and ground cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.½ cup orange juice, ¼ cup honey, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon white wine vinegar, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
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In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until a smooth paste forms (this is called a slurry). Gradually pour this slurry into the simmering orange honey sauce, whisking continuously. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from heat and allow the glaze to cool slightly before brushing onto the chicken.2 teaspoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water
Finishing and Serving the Whole Chicken
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Carefully remove the chicken from the oven. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the entire exterior of the chicken with the prepared orange honey glaze. Return the chicken to the oven and continue baking until the internal meat thermometer registers a safe and delicious 167 °F (75 °C) in the thickest part of the thigh. The glaze should appear beautifully caramelized and sticky.
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Once the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven and give it one final brush with any remaining glaze. Tent the chicken loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for a full ten minutes before carving. This crucial resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in an even more tender and succulent chicken.
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Carve the chicken and serve immediately, perhaps garnished with extra fresh orange slices and herbs for presentation. Enjoy!
Notes
2. The Importance of a Meat Thermometer: Using a reliable meat thermometer is highly recommended for roasting poultry. It’s the only way to ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked, neither underdone nor overcooked and dry. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh, being careful not to touch any bone, as bone conducts heat differently and can give a false reading. The target internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C), but for this recipe, we glaze it until it reaches 167°F (75°C), allowing for carryover cooking during resting to hit that perfect 165°F.
3. Delicious Side Dish Pairings: This Orange Honey Glazed Roast Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. For a classic and comforting meal, consider serving it with creamy potato gratin or hearty fried potatoes with bacon and onion. To balance the richness, I often include fresh vegetable dishes such as slow cooker red cabbage, vibrant stir-fry Brussels sprouts with orange, or a simple green salad.
4. Storing Leftovers:
To store leftover roast chicken, ensure it cools down quickly to prevent bacterial growth. Promptly remove all meat from the bones once it’s cool enough to handle.
- **Refrigerator:** Store the cooked chicken meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- **Freezer:** For longer storage, place the cooked meat in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- **Repurposing Leftovers:** Leftover roast chicken is incredibly versatile! Shredded chicken can be used in nasi goreng, quick stir-fries with potatoes, hearty chicken soup, flavorful noodle dishes, sandwiches, or even chicken salad.
- **Bones for Stock:** Don’t discard the bones! They are perfect for making a rich, homemade chicken stock. Simply simmer the bones with aromatics like onion, carrots, and celery for a few hours. This makes an excellent base for future soups and sauces, such as a slow cooker chicken stock.
Nutrition
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Explore More Delicious Chicken Recipes
If you loved this Orange Honey Glazed Roast Chicken, you’re in for a treat! Chicken is an incredibly versatile protein that can be prepared in countless delicious ways. Here are a few more fantastic chicken recipes you might enjoy, perfect for any day of the week or special occasion.
- Soy Sauce Chicken Recipe
- Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Baked Honey Ginger Chicken