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Today’s Apple Cider Roast Chicken is both rustic and elegant, offering a deeply aromatic and fun fall twist on a classic Sunday roast. The chicken is rubbed generously with butter, salt, pepper and garlic powder before cooking over a bed of apples, onions and apple cider so the skin crisps and bronzes beautifully as it roasts while being infused with rich apple flavor.

Apple Dutch Oven Chicken Recipe

Whether it’s a force of habit or just a flat-out addiction to fresh apple cider, it seems like every time I pop into the grocery store, I come home with a fresh jug of apple cider.

And while when it comes to apple cider, you really can’t have too much of a good thing, if I didn’t come up with a few creative uses for our ever-growing collection of apple cider, we would soon need to buy a new fridge for how many jugs I absent-mindedly end up bringing home.

So, whether you’re looking for an excuse to buy some apple cider or in need of a recipe to use up a bottomless collection of your own, today’s apple cider roasted chicken recipe fits the bill perfectly.

The result is a buttery, roasted chicken that’s juicy, tender and subtly perfumed with apple, with pan juices you’ll want to spoon over everything from mashed potatoes to roasted vegetables. It’s cozy and comforting, whether you’re meal-prepping for the week ahead or making a show-stopping fall supper.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider? Yes, though cider adds more depth and acidity. If using juice, reduce the sugar in any glaze or sauce.

How do I know when the chicken is done? The best method to determine if the chicken is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the thigh should register 165°F. If not using a meat thermometer, the juices of the chicken should run clear when the chicken is cut into.

Can I make this without a Dutch oven? Yes, a roasting pan covered with foil works well, but a Dutch oven helps lock in steam for juicier results.

Apple Cider Roast Chicken Ingredients

• Whole chicken, giblets removed
• Butter, softened
• Salt 
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion, thickly sliced
• Apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and sliced
• Apple cider
• Fresh thyme or rosemary, optional

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, which hold their shape well during roasting.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Dutch Oven
• Meat Thermometer <– This is the meat thermometer I have been using for the past 6 years – I’ve never had to change a battery and it’s super sturdy and reliable. It was a bit pricey, but unlike the $15 models that you can buy, this one isn’t going to need replacement. It is waterproof and comes with a two-year warranty.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Sharp Kitchen Knife
• Cutting Board

How to Make Apple Cider Roast Chicken

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the skin all over with softened butter, then season generously with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

In a large Dutch oven, scatter onions and apple slices across the bottom. Pour in the apple cider.

Place the chicken on top of the onions and apples. If using herbs, tuck them into the cavity of the chicken.

Cover with the Dutch oven lid and roast for 45 minutes. Remove the lid and continue roasting 30–40 minutes, until the skin is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165°F.

Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes before carving.

Spoon the pan juices over the chicken when serving, along with the roasted apples and onions.

Pin this Easy Apple Cider Roast Chicken for a juicy chicken recipe that bursts with fall flavors:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our apple cider roast chicken recipe:

I hope your family loves this easy apple cider roasted chicken recipe as much as mine did!

For more ways to enjoy chicken, check out our full chicken recipe collection here: