Maple Almond Crusted Whole Chicken

Maple Almond Crusted Whole Chicken

December 27, 2018

Servings: 4

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 1 hr

Total: 1 hr 15 min

Print This

So deliciously tasty, this deceivingly simple Maple Almond Crusted Chicken is bound to become a family favorite. Tender meat, blow your mind crispy skin, and flavor that will knock your socks off!

By: A Wholesome New World

Ingredients

• 1 2-3 lb whole chicken
• Kosher Salt and Pepper for seasoning
• A handful of rosemary sprigs
• 1/4 cup butter (we substituted dairy free vegan butter)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed
• ½ cup finely chopped almonds

Directions

• Step 1 Preheat oven to 375°. Rinse and pat dry chicken thoroughly with paper towel. Season generously with kosher salt and ground pepper, inside the cavity as well. Place sprigs of rosemary in the cavity.
• Step 2 In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat and stir in 1/2 cup maple syrup until combined and smooth.
• Step 3 Place asparagus spears in a cast iron skillet and place chicken on top. Pour sauce over the chicken, rubbing all over the chicken, under the skin and inside the cavity.
• Step 4 Sprinkle almonds over the top of the chicken. Roast for 1 hour, basting with the pan drippings every 20 minutes. Remove chicken from the oven and before slicing, insert a thermometer into a meaty part of the leg (avoiding the bone) until it registers 165°. Let rest before carving.

This holiday season has been one for the records, the last few weeks have taken “busy” to a whole new level. I feel like I’m just holding on until January now when things will hopefully quiet down, but something tells me that might not be the case. I don’t think life with 2 under 2 ever quiets down! Whatever lies ahead, I do hope I’ll at least have more time to devote to the blog. It’s been so hard to find time to post, never mind cook anything these days. Thankfully Marc is pulling his weight and pitched in with this brand new drool-worthy recipe.

I’m working this week and Marc is actually off – what a role reversal right? Yesterday he was home with the kids all day, yet somehow he still found the time to experiment in the kitchen and dream up this amazing recipe. When I’m home with the kids all day, I can barely find the time to shower. He’s home for 1 day and he took them to the grocery store, put away all of the holiday presents, cleaned the kitchen, got them both down for 2+ hour naps, worked out AND cooked us dinner. Is he super dad or what? I’m lucky if I accomplish half of those things in one week…

As dumbfounded as I am by his perfect day, I am pretty darn impressed by this recipe. I honestly couldn’t stop picking at the chicken all night, it was PERFECTION. The flavor combination is to die for, the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I swear this is a dish you could see on a restaurant menu, it is that good. I hope you enjoy every bite!