Please understand that I have nothing against turkey. I just wanted to make a Thanksgiving Roast Chicken for people who do. Or for people who are having a small family Thanksgiving, a cozy party for two, or even 20 people who need an extra protein. Plus, with turkey shortages this year, there will be fewer options for the big bird and higher prices. Chicken it is!.
This Thanksgiving chicken recipe was based on Bon Appetit’s (now several years old) YouTube show Making Perfect, which has a spiced and glazed turkey. I didn’t change the flavors or the way that BA’s professional test kitchen editors perfected the recipe was cooked, but I did change the main ingredient and make a few small changes to the amounts used. What if you could make chicken taste like turkey? It turns out that the best Thanksgiving turkey can also be the best Thanksgiving chicken.
Turkey has long been the centerpiece of the traditional Thanksgiving feast, but cooking a whole bird is a tedious process. Many find turkeys to be dry and disappointing This year, make perfectly juicy and flavorful roast chicken your new Thanksgiving main event instead!
The Case Against Turkey
While turkey may seem synonymous with Thanksgiving, it has some significant drawbacks:
- Large whole turkeys are expensive, often $40-60 for a 15 pound bird.
- They require lots of oven space for 2-3 hours.
- The white meat dries out easily if overcooked.
- The dark meat is often underdone and bloody unless cooked to 165F.
- Even with brining, it can end up dry.
- The skin doesn’t get crispy.
- Carving a whole turkey is tricky.
- You’re stuck eating leftovers for a week.
Preparing a big turkey is a labor of love Is it worth the effort for a subpar meal?
Why Succulent Roast Chicken is Better
Chicken boasts many advantages over turkey for your small Thanksgiving gathering:
- Whole chickens cost just $10-15 for a 5-7 pound bird.
- They roast in only 1-2 hours with less oven space.
- The white and dark meat cook evenly to 165F.
- Chicken stays incredibly moist and tender.
- The skin gets crispy and delicious.
- Carving a chicken is much easier than a turkey.
- Leftovers are more manageable for smaller groups.
Step-by-Step Roast Chicken Recipe
This easy one-pan roast chicken with veggies is sure to impress your Thanksgiving guests!
Ingredients:
- 1 whole roasting chicken (5-7 lbs)
- Herb rub with sage, thyme, rosemary
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 1 lb sweet potatoes
- 1 onion
- 4 tbsp butter
- Chicken stock
Instructions:
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Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Apply herb rub under the skin and all over.
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Toss chopped veggies with 2 tbsp melted butter and herbs. Spread in roasting pan.
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Place chicken over veggies and brush with remaining butter.
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Roast at 400F for 1-2 hours until 165F in thighs.
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Rest 15 minutes before carving.
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Make pan sauce from juices and stock.
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Serve chicken over veggies and enjoy!
Benefits:
- Infused with classic Thanksgiving herb flavors
- Vegetables cook in tasty drippings
- Easy one-pan meal
- Moist, juicy meat with crispy skin
- Perfect portion size for small gatherings
- Saves oven space and cooks quickly
- Easier carving than whole turkey
Additional Tips
- Brine the chicken for extra moisture and flavor
- Stuff the cavity with herbs, lemon, and garlic
- Use any leftover turkey gravy or stock
- Works great with other root veggies like parsnips, carrots
- Add cubed bread for stuffing flavor
- Baste with turkey or chicken stock during roasting
- Use broth to make a delicious gravy
Stop slaving over dry turkey this Thanksgiving. Impress your guests with juicy roast chicken and vegetables instead! The aromatic herbs will make your home smell like the holidays too.
Let’s make Thanksgiving Roast Chicken
First, cut the chicken into five pieces. This is just like carving the bird, but it hasn’t been cooked yet. A friendly butcher will do this for you, or you can buy a bird already broken into parts (Farmer Focus makes one). Roasting the chicken in parts, rather than whole, allows it to cook more evenly. Plus, it means the whole carving part is already done before the bird is even cooked and the chicken cooks in under an hour. Imagine Thanksgiving dinner done and on the table in roughly 60 minutes?
Once the chicken is ready, cover it with the dry brine. This is a mixture of salt and spices that flavors the whole chicken when spread over it and left to sit overnight. Seasoning chicken just before cooking will flavor the skin, but not the meat underneath. Pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and light brown sugar are mixed together to make the brine. It is spicy, slightly smoky, and ever-so-sweet. Total flavor bomb!.
Finally, drizzling the dry-brined chicken with oil instead of butter creates the shiniest, crackliest, crispiest skin. Unlike oil, butter contains moisture that can prevent browning. Also, oil has a higher smoke point than butter, so you can turn up the heat (important for getting crispy skin) without burning the bird.
The turkey in Bon Appetit might be perfect, but a chicken that cooks in less than an hour and can feed a small family or a lot of people? That’s something to be thankful for.
Chicken replaces turkey for Thanksgiving
FAQ
Can I eat chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving?
Can you substitute chicken for turkey?
What can I cook instead of turkey for Thanksgiving?
Do people eat chicken on Thanksgiving?
Are there alternatives to Thanksgiving turkey?
From glazed ham to braised short ribs to hearty vegetarian pot pie, here are 20 alternatives to Thanksgiving turkey that make for a totally special holiday dinner. Thanks to ample hands-off cook time and a totally luxurious result, this braised chicken is the ultimate dinner party main.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Should you roast a chicken instead of a Turkey?
If you’re having a cozy Thanksgiving dinner this year, you may want to roast a large chicken instead of a turkey. Chef Eric Ripert, owner of New York City’s famed Le Bernardin and author of “Avec Eric: A Culinary Journey,” shares a delicious recipe inspired by his grandmother. Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Remove the wings and reserve.
Can you roast a chicken on Thanksgiving?
Absolutely anyone can roast a chicken, and it’s arguably more delicious than the classic Thanksgiving bird. Cranberry chicken is a festive holiday dish that you can absolutely make again all year round. Whether you’re vegetarian or not, this stuffed pumpkin is guaranteed to be the star of the table.
Can you eat chicken & gravy on Thanksgiving?
PLEASE SEE MY FULL DISCLAIMER POLICY FOR DETAILS. Thanksgiving Chicken & Gravy is the perfect alternative to Thanksgiving turkey! (Who says you must have turkey on Thanksgiving, anyway?!) Season a whole chicken with herb butter, baste it with savory oil, then roast it over potatoes until juicy, beautifully golden brown, & seriously crispy.
Is Turkey stock a good choice for Thanksgiving?
All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. It’s often assumed that turkey will be sitting front and center as the main course on Thanksgiving. Sure, it’s traditional, and the homemade turkey stock that follows cannot be beat, but it’s just one of so many great holiday options.