Honey & Apple Cider Roast Chicken
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A cozy and new fall favorite: Apple Cider and Honey Roasted Chicken with a side of veggies caramelized in the pan-drippings of the chicken. This effortless fall chicken dinner is perfect for meal prepping or a special family meal to warm everyone up after a crisp fall day.
Honey-Roasted Chicken Recipe
I love the history of cooking, so when I found out that early American and English kitchens used apple cider vinegar not just as a flavor but also to tenderize meats, I thought it would be an interesting addition to a roast chicken tender.
Thanks to a quick marinate and basting with our apple cider vinegar and honey glaze, the meat gets wonderfully tender and succulent, while the glaze caramelizes into a glossy amber coating.
The acidity of the vinegar mostly cooks off, leaving a tangy-sweet chicken with a bit of herby earthiness.
The pan vegetables soften and absorb the drippings, creating a built‑in side dish. Add a side of bread and you have a rustic chicken dinner that practically cooked itself.
If you’re looking for an easy, fall-inspired roast chicken, this cozy apple cider and honey-roasted chicken dinner has you covered!
Honey Apple Cider Chicken Recipe Variations:
- Swap the thyme for Italian seasoning for more robust flavor.
- Add a sliced apple or pear to the roasting pan for natural sweetness.
- Replace half of the cider with white wine for a more delicate acidity.
- Brush a final glaze of warmed honey over the chicken before serving for extra shine.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes to the cider mix for gentle warmth.
Honey Apple Chicken FAQs
Can I make this with chicken pieces instead of a whole chicken? Yes, you can use bone-in thighs or drumsticks and reduce the cooking time to about 45 – 50 minutes.
Why do we have to marinate the chicken? Marinating is optional, but recommended, for deeper flavor. You can skip this step if you’re short on time.
Can I skip the apple cider vinegar? You can replace it with extra apple cider, but the vinegar helps balance the sweetness and tenderize the meat.
Can this be made ahead of time? Yes, the chicken reheats well at 350°F for 15 – 20 minutes, covered lightly with foil.
How to store leftover honey-roasted chicken: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or place in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 4 months. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)
Recipes Using Leftover Chicken:
This apple cider chicken recipe is delicious enjoying as-is, but if you want to use up leftovers in a new recipe check out the following recipes:
Ingredients for Honey and Apple Roast Chicken
- Whole Chicken
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Honey <– can use brown sugar
- Dried Thyme (use Fresh sprigs if available)
- Lemon
- Onions, chopped
- White Onion, chopped
- Carrots, chopped
- Small Potatoes, chopped
- Celery, chopped
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- Olive Oil
Tip: If using a rotisserie, opt to omit the white onions, potoes and carrots or place in a pan while chicken is roasting.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Roasting Pan
- Small Bowl
- Baster
- Measuring Spoons
- Sharp Kitchen Knife
- Cutting Board
How to Make Honey-Roasted Chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season it generously with salt and black pepper inside and out.
Slice the lemon in half, squeeze the juice over the chicken, and tuck both halves inside the cavity.
In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider, apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, and thyme. Pour or brush half of this mixture onto the chicken, reserving the other half for basting.
Place the chicken in the fridge for 1 – 2 hours or overnight to marinate.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Place chopped onions, carrots, potatoes and celery in a large roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
Nestle the chicken on top of the vegetables.
Roast the chicken and vegetables, uncovered, for 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting every 25 minutes with the remaining cider glaze, until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Let rest 10 – 15 minutes before carving. Spoon the roasted vegetables and pan sauce around the chicken to serve.
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Apple Cider Honey-Roasted Chicken
A cozy and new fall favorite: Apple Cider and Honey Roasted Chicken with a side of veggies caramelized in the pan-drippings of the chicken. This effortless fall chicken dinner is perfect for meal prepping or a special family meal to warm everyone up after a crisp fall day.
Ingredients
- 1 (1 ¼ Kg.) Whole Chicken
- ½ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme (use Fresh sprigs if available)
- 1 Medium Lemon
- 3 Red Onions, chopped
- 1 Large White Onion, chopped
- 2 Medium Carrots, chopped
- 10 to 15 Small Potatoes, chopped
- 2 Stalks Celery, chopped
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- Olive Oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season it generously with salt and black pepper inside and out.
- Slice the lemon in half, squeeze the juice over the chicken, and tuck both halves inside the cavity.
- In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider, apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, and thyme. Pour or brush half of this mixture onto the chicken, reserving the other half for basting.
- Place the chicken in the fridge for 1 - 2 hours or overnight to marinate.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place chopped onions, carrots, potatoes and celery in a large roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
- Nestle the chicken on top of the vegetables.
- Roast the chicken and vegetables, uncovered, for 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting every 25 minutes with the remaining cider glaze, until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest 10 - 15 minutes before carving. Spoon the roasted vegetables and pan sauce around the chicken to serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
7Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 52mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 8gSugar: 9gProtein: 10g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family loves this easy honey and apple roast chicken recipe as much as mine does!
For more ways to enjoy chicken, check out our full chicken recipe collection here:
