Upright Chicken in the Oven with Garlic and Cider
Elevate your roast chicken game with this irresistible recipe for Upright Chicken in the Oven with Garlic and Cider. This dish combines golden, perfectly crisp skin with tender, juicy meat infused with the sweet tang of apple cider, aromatic garlic, and fresh thyme. Using a vertical roaster or beer can chicken stand ensures even cooking, while a butter mixture laced with lemon zest and smoked paprika adds a layer of richness that takes this roast to the next level. The apple cider, paired with roasted garlic cloves in the pan, creates an aromatic base that doubles as a flavor-packed sauce to drizzle over the carved chicken. Ready in under two hours and perfect for any occasion, this easy yet impressive dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a hearty salad, and savor every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized (about 4-5 lbs) Whole chicken
- 1 cup Apple cider
- 8 Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 4 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 Lemon
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Ensure the oven rack is adjusted so the upright chicken will have adequate clearance.
Remove any giblets from the chicken cavity if present, and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Peel the garlic cloves and lightly crush them, keeping them intact.
In a small bowl, combine the butter, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Zest the lemon and mix the zest into the butter mixture.
Gently separate the skin of the chicken breast from the meat using your fingers, and spread half of the butter mixture under the skin. Rub the remaining butter mixture over the surface of the chicken.
Slice the lemon in half. Squeeze one half of the lemon into the chicken cavity and place the squeezed half inside the cavity along with the thyme sprigs and 4 garlic cloves.
Brush the exterior of the chicken with olive oil, and season with the remaining kosher salt and additional black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
Pour the apple cider into the bottom of a roasting pan large enough to accommodate a vertical roaster (or a beer can chicken stand). Add the remaining garlic cloves to the cider for extra flavor.
Position the chicken upright on the vertical roaster or beer can chicken stand, and place it in the roasting pan.
Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for approximately 90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured at the thickest part of the breast and 175°F (80°C) in the thigh.
Remove the chicken from the oven, tent it with foil, and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Serve the chicken with the pan drippings spooned over for extra flavor, and enjoy with your favorite side dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1001 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 79.6 g | 102% | |
| Saturated Fat | 29.7 g | 148% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 229 mg | 76% | |
| Sodium | 175 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.1 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.6 g | ||
| Protein | 38.0 g | 76% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 138 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 923 mg | 20% | |
*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.
