Swedish Roast Chicken with Spiced Apple Rice
Savor the comforting flavors of Scandinavia with this Swedish Roast Chicken with Spiced Apple Rice, a rustic dish that transforms your dinner table into a cozy autumn retreat. This recipe features juicy, golden-roasted chicken enhanced with a garlic-thyme herb butter that infuses the meat with aromatic richness. Paired with a fragrant spiced apple rice, this side dish combines tender grains with the warm sweetness of cinnamon, allspice, and sautéed apples, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Optional raisins add a soft, fruity touch, while fresh parsley provides a burst of color and brightness. With just 20 minutes of prep and a blend of simple yet sophisticated ingredients, this hearty, family-friendly meal is ideal for gatherings or a comforting midweek dinner. Serve it for a taste of Swedish-inspired warmth that’s both easy to prepare and unforgettable to enjoy.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 4-5 pounds Whole chicken
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Lemon, sliced in half
- 2 teaspoons Fresh thyme, minced
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 medium Apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground allspice
- 1.5 cups Rice (uncooked)
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely diced
- 0.5 cup Raisins (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and remove any giblets from the cavity.
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper to create a herb butter.
Gently lift the skin of the chicken breast and rub half of the herb butter underneath the skin. Rub the remaining butter all over the chicken skin.
Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the halved lemon and a few sprigs of fresh thyme if desired.
Place the chicken on a roasting rack in a roasting pan, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Baste the chicken with its juices every 30 minutes.
While the chicken is roasting, prepare the spiced apple rice. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and sauté the diced onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the diced apples, cinnamon, and allspice to the onions and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to toast slightly.
Pour in the chicken broth, stir, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
If using raisins, stir them into the rice during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
When the chicken is done roasting, let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Serve the Swedish roast chicken alongside the spiced apple rice and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 45.4 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.1 g | 45% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 136 mg | 45% | |
| Sodium | 6569 mg | 286% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 337.6 g | 123% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.8 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 60.7 g | ||
| Protein | 71.5 g | 143% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 326 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 11.7 mg | 65% | |
| Potassium | 2396 mg | 51% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
