Roast Christmas Chicken With Orange-Ginger Glaze Recipe
Prepare a memorable holiday dinner the whole family will love with this Christmas roast chicken with an orange-ginger glaze! After rubbing the whole bird with a medley of warm spices, we roast it to perfection to make the most tender, juicy roast chicken.
How to Make the Best Roast Christmas Chicken With Orange-Ginger Glaze
This roast Christmas chicken with orange-ginger glaze brings elegant sophistication to your holiday table while remaining surprisingly simple to prepare. The combination of warm spices—cinnamon, cloves, and allspice—creates a fragrant rub that infuses the juicy bird with complex, festive flavors. The fresh orange-ginger glaze adds a bright, zesty brightness that perfectly complements the rich, savory chicken.
What makes this recipe truly special is how little hands-on time it requires. With less than 30 minutes of prep work, you can deliver an impressive main course that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The key is starting with a whole chicken at room temperature and allowing it to roast until the skin is golden and the meat is tender and juicy.
Perfect for Christmas dinner or any special holiday occasion, this roast chicken is a show-stopper that your guests will be talking about long after the meal. Serve it with roasted vegetables and your favorite sides for a complete, memorable feast.
Roast Christmas Chicken With Orange-Ginger Glaze
Prepare a memorable holiday dinner the whole family will love with this Christmas roast chicken with an orange-ginger glaze! After rubbing the whole bird with a medley of warm spices, we roast it to perfection to make the most tender, juicy roast chicken.
Ingredients
Orange-Ginger Glaze
Roast Christmas Chicken
Instructions
Orange-Ginger Glaze
- Combine orange juice, maple syrup, grated garlic, fresh ginger, apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a small saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and a splash of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the glaze.
- Continue simmering for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly. Stir in fresh orange zest if desired. Set aside to cool.
Roast Christmas Chicken
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels and place it on a roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
- Rub the entire chicken with olive oil, then generously apply the spice mixture all over the bird, inside and out.
- Stuff the cavity of the chicken with orange wedges, onion wedges, and fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, and thyme).
- Roast the chicken uncovered at 400°F for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh.
- During the last 15 minutes of roasting, brush the chicken generously with the orange-ginger glaze. Return to the oven and finish cooking.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. Drizzle any remaining glaze over the carved chicken before serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through but remains juicy.
- This recipe requires less than 30 minutes of hands-on preparation time.
- The warm spices in the rub pair beautifully with the bright, citrusy glaze for a memorable holiday meal.