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.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner it’s time to start planning your holiday menu. The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving dinners is a big roasted turkey but turkey doesn’t have to be the only option. Chicken makes for a delicious, easy and budget-friendly alternative to turkey that can help mix up your Thanksgiving traditions.
Why Choose Chicken Over Turkey for Thanksgiving?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to swap chicken for turkey this Thanksgiving:
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Smaller Portions: A 12-15 pound turkey feeds a huge crowd, way more than most families need. Roasting a whole chicken or just chicken pieces is better for a smaller gathering.
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Faster Cooking Time: A whole turkey needs 3-4 hours to cook, while a whole chicken roasts in just 1-1.5 hours. Parts take even less time. This frees up oven space and leaves you more time to focus on side dishes.
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Easier Preparation Prepping and carving a whole raw turkey can be intimidating, Chicken parts are easier to handle and make carving simple,
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More Affordable: chickens cost significantly less than turkeys. Roasting chicken pieces instead of a whole bird saves even more.
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More Flavor Options Turkey can dry out easily but chicken stays juicy and allows for more creativity with bold seasonings and flavors.
So if a classic Thanksgiving turkey sounds like overkill for your gathering, read on for tips on how to make chicken the star of your holiday table.
Flavoring and Cooking Methods for Thanksgiving Chicken
Chicken may seem boring compared to turkey, but that chicken breast you threw in the oven on a busy weeknight is a far cry from a beautifully bronzed whole roasted chicken or savory chicken pie with a flaky crust worthy of Thanksgiving dinner.
With the right cooking methods and flavors, chicken can shine just as much as turkey on your holiday table. Here are some delicious ways to prepare chicken for Thanksgiving:
Roast a Whole Chicken
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Flavor it: coat the chicken with an herb butter or paste under and over the skin. Stuff aromatics like lemon and garlic inside the cavity.
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Dry Brine It: salt the chicken all over and let it air dry in the fridge overnight. This seasons the meat and ensures crispy skin.
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Roast over veggies: place chopped root veggies like potatoes, parsnips and carrots in a baking dish. Nestle the chicken right on top and let the juices baste the veggies.
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Make gravy: use the flavorful pan drippings to make a simple yet delicious gravy for serving.
Roast Chicken Pieces
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Spatchcocking: remove backbone and flatten chicken for quick, even roasting.
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Break down chicken: separate into breasts, legs, thighs, wings. Roast on a sheet pan and cook to perfect doneness.
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Brine and sauce: soak chicken in a flavorful brine before roasting. Glaze with sauce frequently for extra flavor.
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High heat = crispy skin: Preheat oven hot, at least 425°F. Roast at high temp for beautifully crisped skin.
Cook Boneless Skinless Breasts
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Get creative with flavors: rub with spices, coat in flavorful sauces or stuff with herbs, cheese, etc.
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Keep it moist: roast gently at 350°F and cook just until done to prevent drying out. Wrap in bacon.
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Fancy it up: turn boneless breasts into elegant roulades stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and cheese.
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Shred it: poach or simmer chicken in broth. Shred and use in casseroles, pot pies, sandwiches and more.
Delicious and Easy Thanksgiving Chicken Recipes
To explore just how delicious chicken can be for your Thanksgiving meal, here are a few must-try Thanksgiving chicken recipes:
Thanksgiving Roast Chicken with Gravy
Thanksgiving Roast Chicken from American Home Cook
Cutting the chicken into parts before roasting allows it to cook fast and even. A savory dry brine guarantees a flavorful, well-seasoned bird. Basting with a glaze while roasting keeps it extra moist. An easy homemade gravy brings everything together.
Herb-Butter Roasted Thanksgiving Chicken
Thanksgiving Chicken from Plays Well with Butter
Slathering a whole chicken with an herbed butter paste before roasting infuses tons of flavor. A savory herb oil marinade adds another layer of taste. Roast it right over potatoes to catch the juices for the most schmaltzy spuds ever.
Thanksgiving Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie
Thanksgiving Pot Pie from Food Network
Chicken simmered in thyme-infused broth is shredded and combined with veggies in a creamy sauce. Spoon it all into a baking dish, top with flaky biscuits and bake until bubbly for a new spin on chicken pot pie.
Make This Your Best Thanksgiving Chicken Ever
Thanksgiving is all about comfort and tradition. Don’t be afraid to try chicken if your family is stuck in a turkey rut. With delicious seasoning, the right cooking techniques and some creativity, chicken can be just as special as turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Focus on nailing the flavors and spending time with loved ones. No one will miss the bird when they are busy enjoying your amazingly delicious, stress-free Thanksgiving chicken!
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.