Golden Roasted Chicken with Maple Butter and Rosemary

If you ask me, roasted chicken with maple butter is one of those dishes that makes your house smell like home.

This simple weeknight dinner combines tender roasted chicken with a sweet and savory maple butter that melts right into the meat. Fresh rosemary adds an earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the maple.

The chicken gets crispy skin on the outside while staying juicy inside, thanks to the butter mixture that keeps everything moist. A sprinkle of salt and pepper is really all you need to round out the flavors.

It’s a cozy meal that feels fancy but comes together easily, perfect for when you want something special without too much fuss.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

For this recipe, you’ll want to use a whole chicken that’s around 3 to 4 pounds – this size cooks evenly and feeds about 4 people nicely. You can go with either a fresh or frozen chicken, just make sure to thaw it completely if using frozen (this usually takes about 24 hours in the fridge). Free-range or organic chickens tend to have better flavor, but a regular grocery store bird will work just fine too. The most important thing is to make sure your chicken is completely dry before seasoning – pat it down with paper towels inside and out, as this helps you get that crispy skin we’re all after.

Options for Substitutions

This simple roasted chicken recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

• Whole chicken: If you prefer, you can use chicken pieces instead – just adjust the cooking time to about 45-60 minutes depending on the size. Bone-in, skin-on pieces work best for this recipe.
• Fresh rosemary: Don’t have fresh rosemary? You can use dried rosemary, but cut the amount in half (about 1 1/4 teaspoons chopped). Fresh thyme or sage also work nicely as alternatives.
• Maple syrup: Honey makes a great substitute for maple syrup in equal amounts. You could also try brown sugar mixed with a little water, but start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.
• Unsalted butter: Salted butter works fine – just reduce the added salt in your seasoning. For a dairy-free option, use olive oil or melted coconut oil, though you’ll miss some of that rich butter flavor.
• Kosher salt: Regular table salt works too, but use about 25% less since it’s finer and more concentrated than kosher salt.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when roasting chicken is not letting it come to room temperature before cooking, which leads to uneven cooking with overcooked edges and undercooked centers – pull your chicken out of the fridge 30-45 minutes before roasting.

Another common error is placing the maple butter mixture under the skin too early, as the sugars can burn during the long cooking time, so it’s better to baste with it during the last 15-20 minutes of roasting instead.

Don’t forget to use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F, and always let your chicken rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

For extra crispy skin, pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before seasoning, and consider starting at a higher temperature (450°F) for the first 20 minutes before reducing to 375°F.

What to Serve With Roasted Chicken?

This maple butter roasted chicken pairs beautifully with roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes that can cook right alongside the chicken in the same pan. The sweet maple glaze and earthy rosemary make it a perfect match for creamy mashed potatoes or wild rice pilaf that can soak up all those delicious pan juices. A simple green salad with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the maple butter, while roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans add a nice pop of color and freshness to your plate. Don’t forget some crusty bread to mop up every bit of that maple-rosemary goodness!

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Your roasted chicken will keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil. I like to carve it up and store the pieces separately so it’s easier to grab for quick meals throughout the week. The maple butter glaze actually helps keep the meat moist even after a few days!

Freeze: This chicken freezes really well for up to 3 months. I recommend slicing or shredding the meat first, then storing it in freezer bags with some of the pan juices to prevent freezer burn. You can even freeze the whole bird if you prefer, just make sure it’s completely cooled first.

Warm Up: To bring your leftover chicken back to life, gently warm it in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 15-20 minutes. If you’re heating up pieces, the microwave works too – just use medium power and cover with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out. The maple glaze might caramelize a bit more, which is actually pretty delicious!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	55-60 minutes
Total Time	70-80 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2500
• Protein: 170-200 g
• Fat: 150-170 g
• Carbohydrates: 20-28 g

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1 whole chicken (3 1/2 lb)
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, as needed
• 2 to 3 sprigs rosemary

For the maple-rosemary glaze:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 1/2 tsp rosemary, finely chopped

Step 1: Season and Stuff the Chicken

• 1 whole chicken (3 1/2 lb)
• kosher salt, to taste
• black pepper, as needed
• 2 to 3 sprigs rosemary

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels and season generously with kosher salt and black pepper, making sure to coat both the outside and the inside of the cavity.

Place the chicken, breast-side up, in a 10-inch cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet.

Stuff the cavity with the whole rosemary sprigs.

Step 2: Prepare the Rosemary-Maple Butter

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 1/2 tsp rosemary, finely chopped

Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.

Add the finely chopped rosemary and the maple syrup.

Cook the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring gently, until the rosemary is fragrant and the mixture has thickened slightly.

This creates a flavorful glaze for the chicken.

Step 3: Glaze the Chicken

• rosemary-maple butter from Step 2
• seasoned chicken from Step 1

Spoon the rosemary-maple butter (from Step 2) all over the seasoned chicken, making sure to cover it evenly.

It’s fine if some of the glaze collects in the bottom of the skillet—it will become part of the flavorful pan juices.

Step 4: Roast and Baste the Chicken

Roast the glazed chicken in the preheated oven, basting it with the pan juices every 15 to 20 minutes.

Continue roasting until the chicken is glossy, golden brown, and the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 55 to 60 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the oven and, if desired, baste one more time with the juices for extra flavor.

Personally, I let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving to keep it juicy.

Step 5: Carve and Serve

After the chicken has rested, carve it into pieces.

Whisk the remaining pan juices in the skillet and serve them alongside the carved chicken for drizzling at the table.