Christmas special
Orange Chicken Roast
Prep time: 30 min / Cook time: 2 hr / Total Time: 2 hr 30 min
The perfect roast that brings everyone together for Christmas dinner. It’s refreshing and sooo fragrant that will create a welcoming aroma. It’s easy to make too!
Ingredients
Marinade
- zest of 2 oranges
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp salt
- 5 sage leaves (finely chopped)
- 2 springs tarragon (finely chopped)
- 2 tsp mustard
- 50 ml olive oil
Roast
- whole chicken
- 50 ml olive oil
- 100 ml orange juice (store-bought or squeezed from 2 large oranges)
- 2 oranges
- 2 fennel bulbs
- 2 shallots
Instructions:
1. Start with the marinade: grind the fennel seeds (in a mortar and pestle or blender). In a small bowl, zest the two oranges and add the salt and sugar. Rub everything together until the sugar becomes a bright orange colour and is very fragrant. Finely chop the sage and tarragon, add the fennel seeds, mustard and olive oil, then mix until it all becomes a paste.
2. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Wash and clean the chicken, then pat it dry with paper towels. Generously spread the marinade all over the it in an even layer. Optional: you can rub some of the marinade underneath the skin for more flavour. Set aside.
3. Cut the oranges, fennel bulbs and shallots in round slices (about 1 cm thick). Grab a roasting tray and add the olive oil and orange juice. Add the oranges in a single layer, then top with fennel and finish with shallots. Place the chicken on top of the layers, breast-side up.
4. Cover it all with a sheet of aluminium foil. This step will help the chicken cook evenly without burning the skin. Place the chicken in the oven at 170°C for 1 hour.
5. After the first hour, take the whole chicken out and remove the aluminium foil. Using a spoon or ladle, scoop out the juices from the pan and pour it all over the chicken. put the chicken back in the oven and bake for an additional 40-60 minutes, depending on how crispy you like the skin.
6. On a large platter, place the chicken in the middle and then surround it with the oranges, fennel and shallots. If you prefer, you can decorate the platter with fresh herbs too. That is it! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!