When you’re all turkey’d out and you have no clue what to make for your Christmas feast, this easy Christmas chicken with its aromatic flavors is the perfect recipe to cook. Another bonus? The buttery, fragrant pan sauce that forms while the chicken is roasting is the perfect replacement for gravy.
Ingredients Needed
Chicken. Using a free range/organic chicken makes a huge difference. Fresh oranges. Sage. Thyme. Other fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley and oregano will also be delicious. Garlic bulbs. Onion. Lemon. Softened butter. I used salted butter but unsalted butter works too. Olive oil. White wine. I used Sauvignon Blanc but any white wine will work. Salt & black pepper.
How to make Christmas chicken
How long to roast a chicken
It really depends on the size and the temperature you roast it at. A 1.5kg (3lb) chicken will take approximately 45-60 minutes to roast at 180ºC/350ºF. The time it takes for a chicken to roast also depends on the temperature of the chicken before it went into the oven. A fridge cold chicken will take much longer to cook through. That’s why it’s very important to allow your chicken to come to room temperature before roasting. A chicken is cooked when it reaches 72ºC/165ºF on a meat thermometer. I usually take my chicken out of the oven at approximately 65ºC/150ºF because during resting (I usually leave my chicken to rest for at least 20 minutes, covered) it will come up to temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, check if the chicken is done by slicing between the breast and drumstick. If the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked.
Can I make this ahead?
The chicken can be seasoned and place in the roasting dish then covered with foil and refrigerated for up to a day in advance. Remove from the fridge 45 minutes before cooking. The cooked chicken can be covered tightly with foil then covered with two tea towels and kept warm for at least an hour. This frees up oven space if you need to cook any other dishes for your meal. Leftover chicken can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
What to serve with Christmas chicken
This chicken is versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes. We love it with mashed potatoes, crispy brussels sprouts or classic bread stuffing for the ultimate Christmas feast.
Roast chicken recipes
