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A hearty holiday chicken bake dinner fresh from the oven, ready for serving.

Classic Holiday Chicken Bake Dinner

This classic holiday chicken bake dinner features tender, juicy chicken and caramelized root vegetables, all roasted together on one pan for an easy and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2-3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces thighs and drumsticks recommended
  • 2 lbs mixed root vegetables small red potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 large onion roughly chopped
  • 4-6 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • fresh rosemary sprigs A few
  • fresh thyme sprigs A few
Marinade & Seasoning
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
  • Fresh parsley or cranberries for garnish

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Whisk olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme in a large bowl.
  2. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated; marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2-4 hours in the refrigerator.
Baking
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and spread vegetables, onion, and garlic on a baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Arrange marinated chicken among the vegetables on the baking sheet, pour remaining marinade and chicken broth over them.
  3. Bake for 45-60 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C) and golden brown, and vegetables are tender and caramelized.
Serving
  1. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley or cranberries and serve.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider brining the chicken for a few hours before marinating. You can also add other herbs like sage or oregano to the marinade. If you don't have root vegetables, broccoli florets or bell peppers work well too. To ensure even cooking, try to cut all vegetables to a similar size.