The Best Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken

Last Thanksgiving, I panicked. The turkey was still frozen solid at noon, and family was arriving at four. Oliver looked up at me with those big eyes and said, "Mom, can't we just make a really fancy chicken instead?" That's when this cranberry maple roast chicken was born out of pure desperation. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet maple syrup created this gorgeous glaze that had everyone asking why we'd ever bothered with turkey in the first place. Now it's become our go-to for every special occasion - and honestly, most Sundays too.

Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken with golden caramelized skin, fresh rosemary, and whole cranberries on a white serving platter.

Why You'll Love This Maple Cranberry Roast Chicken

This Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken delivers restaurant-quality results without the stress. The cranberry maple glazed chicken stays incredibly moist while the skin crisps up perfectly. Oliver loves helping brush on the maple glaze - he takes his job very seriously with that pastry brush. The cranberry maple sauce for chicken creates this beautiful color that makes your table look holiday-ready, and the whole house smells like a cozy fall day. Plus, this maple roasted chicken recipe gives you amazing leftovers for sandwiches and soup.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Maple Cranberry Roast Chicken
Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken Ingredients
How To Make Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken
Substitutions
Storing Your Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken
Equipment For Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken
Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken Variations
Top Tip
Mom's Hidden Shortcut That Actually Works
FAQ
Time to Make This Holiday Showstopper!
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Pairing
Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken

Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken Ingredients

For the Chicken:

1 whole chicken
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 lemon, halved
4 garlic cloves, smashed
Fresh rosemary sprigs

For the Cranberry Maple Glaze:

1 cup fresh cranberries
½ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Optional Add-ins:

Apple slices
Fresh sage leaves
Orange zest
Cranberry juice

How To Make Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken

Years of roasting chickens taught me this foolproof approach for Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken:

Prepare the Chicken:

Remove chicken from fridge 30 minutes before cooking
Pat completely dry with paper towels
Rub olive oil all over skin
Season inside and out with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme
Stuff cavity with lemon halves, garlic, and rosemary

Make the Cranberry Maple Glaze:

Combine cranberries, maple syrup, and orange juice in small saucepan
Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until cranberries burst
Stir in butter, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and salt
Mash some cranberries to thicken the cranberry maple sauce for chicken
Strain if you prefer smooth glaze, or leave chunky

Roast Until Golden:

Place chicken breast-side up on roasting rack
Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes to start crisping
Reduce heat to 375°F and continue roasting
Brush with cranberry maple glaze every 15 minutes
Total cooking time about 75 to 90 minutes

Finish to Perfection:

Check internal temperature reaches 165°F in thickest part of thigh
Brush with final layer of maple cranberry glaze
Let rest 15 minutes before carving
Serve with remaining cranberry maple sauce

Substitutions

Sweetener Options:

Maple syrup → Honey (changes flavor profile)
Pure maple → Brown sugar mixed with water
Regular → Sugar-free maple syrup
Standard → Agave nectar

Cranberry Choices:

Fresh → Frozen cranberries (thawed)
Whole → Dried cranberries rehydrated
Cranberries → Pomegranate arils
Regular → Cranberry juice concentrate

Citrus Swaps:

Orange juice → Apple cider
Fresh → Bottled juice
Orange → Lemon juice
Juice → Orange marmalade

Chicken Alternatives:

Whole chicken → Chicken pieces
Standard → Cornish game hens
Regular → Turkey breast
Bone-in → Boneless thighs

Storing Your Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken

Best Fresh:

Serve hot right after resting for juiciest results
The cranberry maple glazed chicken skin is crispiest when fresh
Meat is most tender when just cooked
Glaze has best texture when warm

Make Ahead Strategy:

Prepare cranberry maple sauce for chicken up to 3 days ahead
Season chicken night before and refrigerate
Bring to room temperature before roasting
Reheat glaze gently before serving

Refrigerator Storage (3-4 days):

Cool maple roasted chicken recipe completely
Remove meat from bones for easier storage
Store in airtight container
Keep extra cranberry maple glaze separate

Reheating Instructions:

Reheat gently in oven at 325°F covered with foil
Add splash of chicken broth to keep moist
Microwave individual portions 90 seconds on medium
Warm extra maple cranberry sauce separately

Equipment For Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken

Roasting pan with rack (allows air circulation)
Reliable meat thermometer (ensures perfect doneness)
Pastry brush (for glazing)
Small saucepan (for making cranberry maple sauce)
Sharp carving knife

Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken Variations

Apple Cranberry Version:

Add apple slices to roasting pan
Mix apple cider into glaze
Stuff cavity with apple quarters
Perfect apple and cranberry roasted chicken combo

Spiced Holiday Style:

Add ground cloves to cranberry maple glaze
Include star anise in cavity
Use warming spices
Makes festive roasted chicken recipe extra special

Citrus Herb Twist:

Double the orange zest
Add fresh thyme to glaze
Include lemon slices under skin
Bright flavors in maple glazed roast chicken

Savory Maple Version:

More sophisticated Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken with cranberries
Add rosemary to maple syrup chicken glaze
Include sage in cavity
Use less sweetener

Homemade cranberry maple roast chicken with caramelized skin, fresh rosemary, and whole cranberries on a serving platter.

Top Tip

The Dry Skin Secret: Pat your chicken completely dry before seasoning - this is the single most important step for crispy skin on your cranberry maple roast chicken. Any moisture will steam the skin instead of crisping it. I even let mine air-dry in the fridge uncovered for a few hours when I have time. That extra step creates skin so crispy it crackles when you cut into it.

Glaze Timing Matters: Don't start brushing on your maple cranberry glaze too early or the sugar will burn before the chicken finishes cooking. Wait until the chicken has been roasting for at least 30 minutes before the first glaze application. Then brush every 15 minutes for the last hour. This creates beautiful layers of caramelized flavor without any burnt spots on your roasted Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken with cranberries.

Resting Is Not Optional: Let your Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken recipe rest for a full 15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. I know it's tempting to carve right away, but this resting time lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat. Cut too soon and all those delicious juices end up on your cutting board instead of in the chicken. Cover loosely with foil to keep it warm while it rests.

Mom's Hidden Shortcut That Actually Works

Want to cut your roasting time nearly in half? Remove the backbone and flatten the chicken before roasting. I learned this trick from my mom after watching her prep dozens of holiday birds. Just use kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the backbone, flip the chicken over, and press down firmly on the breastbone until it cracks and lies flat. Your cranberry maple roast chicken will cook in just 45-50 minutes instead of 90, and every bit of skin gets crispy since it's all exposed to the heat. The cranberry maple glaze caramelizes more evenly too, creating that gorgeous golden color across the entire bird.

Instead of olive oil, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise under and over the skin before seasoning your cranberry roasted chicken. Sounds strange, but mayo is just eggs and oil - it browns beautifully and keeps the meat incredibly juicy. The emulsified fat penetrates the meat better than plain oil, ensuring your maple cranberry roast chicken stays moist even if you accidentally overcook it slightly. My mom swore by this for every roast chicken, and now I understand why. Nobody will taste the mayo in your finished maple glazed roast chicken, but everyone will ask why your chicken is so tender while the skin stays perfectly crispy under that sticky cranberry maple sauce.

Homemade cranberry maple roast chicken with golden caramelized skin, fresh rosemary, and whole cranberries on a white serving platter.

FAQ

Can I substitute maple syrup with honey?

Yes, you can substitute honey for maple syrup in this cranberry roasted chicken, though it changes the flavor profile. Honey creates a sweeter, more floral glaze while maple syrup offers deeper, more complex caramel notes. Use the same amount of honey as maple syrup called for in the recipe. The honey will caramelize faster, so watch carefully during the last glazing sessions to prevent burning.

What kind of chicken works best?

A 4 to 5 pound whole chicken works best for this maple cranberry roast chicken recipe. Look for organic or free-range birds for better flavor and texture. The chicken should be fresh, not previously frozen if possible. You can also use this cranberry maple glaze on chicken pieces, Cornish game hens, or even a turkey breast - just adjust cooking times accordingly based on the size.

Do I need to brine the chicken?

Brining isn't necessary for this cranberry maple glazed chicken, but it does help ensure extra juicy meat. If you have time, a simple 4-hour brine in salt water adds moisture and flavor. However, the maple cranberry sauce for chicken keeps the meat moist during roasting, and proper temperature monitoring prevents overcooking. Dry brining (salting overnight) is a good middle-ground option for this maple roasted chicken recipe.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone - it should read 165°F for safely cooked chicken. The juices should run clear when pierced, and the legs should wiggle easily in their sockets. For this roasted chicken with cranberries, the skin should be deeply golden and crispy. Let rest 15 minutes before carving for juiciest results.

Time to Make This Holiday Showstopper!

Now you have everything needed for perfect cranberry maple roast chicken - from creating that gorgeous glaze to Oliver's inside-out cranberry trick. This maple glazed roast chicken proves that special occasion meals don't have to be complicated or stressful.

Craving more holiday-worthy mains? Try our Easy Salisbury Steak Meatballs Recipe that pairs beautifully with this cranberry maple sauce. Need another impressive but simple dish? Our Easy Chicken Pillows Recipe ready in 30 minutes makes weeknight dinners special. For a lighter option, check out our Healthy Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe that's perfect alongside this festive roasted chicken recipe!

Share your cranberry maple roast chicken success! Tag @SarahAndOliverKitchen and #HolidayChicken. We love seeing your special dinners!

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Why You'll Love This Maple Cranberry Roast Chicken

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