Thanksgiving has been my favorite holiday since I was a little girl.
It’s such an exciting day filled with amazing food and fun activities.
One of those things that I always look forward to on this special occasion is cooking up some turkey.
And what better way to celebrate than by serving it along side all of the other wonderful dishes that we have at our feasts!
Today we’re going to go over one of my absolute favorites: Thanksgivings Turkey Recipe.
This easy-to-make dish will surely impress everyone who eats it because it tastes so good.
Plus, it’s incredibly simple to put together and even easier to clean up after you’ve finished!
Let’s take a closer look at how to get started with this delectable Thanksgiving turkey recipe today.
What Are The Ingredients In Your Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe?
The first step in creating any great meal or dish is making sure that you use quality ingredients.
For example, if you were to make something like mashed potatoes, you’d want to make them from scratch using only whole milk and butter as opposed to buying store bought ones made with low fat heavy cream and margarine.
So why not apply that same logic to your Thanksgiving chicken recipe?
You’ll need to start out by picking some fresh herbs and spices.
Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, thyme, paprika, and parsley are just a few examples of items that you can choose from depending on which flavors you prefer.
Then there’s also the matter of choosing what type of poultry you plan on using for your thanksgiving dinner.
A lot of people usually opt for turkey but there are plenty of alternatives like Cornish hens, Cornish game hens, and even duck.
If you choose to go with a different species of poultry, you’ll likely need to adjust the seasonings accordingly.
As far as meats go, there are many different options available.
Some folks prefer white meat while others lean towards dark meat.
Of course, there are also vegetarian variations of these recipes.
In fact, most of us tend to eat more vegetables during the holidays due to being surrounded by hearty foods.
But don’t worry if you aren’t too fond of veggies – you can still enjoy a healthy Thanksgiving dinner without having to give up anything!
Just keep reading below to find out exactly how to create your own tasty turkey recipe.
How Do You Prepare The Chicken For Your Thanksgiving Feast?
Now that you know everything about the ingredients necessary for your Thanksgiving chicken recipe, let’s move onto the next important part: preparing your birds.
First off, you’ll want to remove the giblets (the organs inside) from each chicken before they go into the oven.
Next, wash both sides of the chickens thoroughly under running water.
Once they’re dry, pat them down gently with paper towels and pop them back in their original packaging. Now it’s time to add the seasoning mix.
Take the baggie containing the dried herbs and spices and pour half of it directly into the cavity of each bird.
Repeat this process with the remaining baggie.
Finally, place the birds in a shallow pan large enough to hold them completely submerged in the liquid.
Pour 1 cup of soy sauce into the bottom of the pan and cover the entire surface area with 2 cups of apple cider vinegar.
Place the pan in the refrigerator overnight.
When you come home from work tomorrow, simply bring the birds out of the fridge and turn the oven on.
What Is The Cook Time For Your Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe?
Once the chicken has had time to soak in its brine, the next step is to roast it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
To determine whether or not your birds are done, insert a thermometer into the thickest portion of the breast.
Depending on the size of the birds you purchased, this could mean inserting the probe straight through the skin or taking a peek underneath the skin.
Either method works well.
However, if you decide to stick the thermometer right into the flesh, be careful not to puncture the skin because you may end up losing some juice.
As soon as you see that the chicken has reached the proper temperature, pull it out of the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before carving.
Afterward, serve the bird alongside the stuffing, gravy, and sweet potatoes.
What Temperature Should The Chicken Be Cooked To For Your Thanksgiving Feast?
We recommend that you set your oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
That means that the center of the bird needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Farenheit.
Again, we suggest inserting a thermometer into the thickest portion of the breast.
If you feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, you can purchase a digital instant read thermometer online.
Also, remember to check the temperature every 15 minutes or so throughout the roasting process.
Remember, cooking times vary according to the size of your birds so please refer to the package directions that came with the product.
What Is Your Favorite Thing About Your Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe?
I absolutely love this particular recipe because the flavor combination is incredible.
There are so many different elements packed into this tasty concoction that I’m sure anyone who tries it will agree.
From the sweet and savory taste of the stuffing to the slightly spicy notes coming from the sage, rosemary, and thyme, the chicken itself takes on a delightful sweetness that perfectly complements the other flavors.
Even though the recipe calls for two different types of herbs, it really doesn’t require much effort beyond mixing them together.
They blend seamlessly into each other.
Also, adding the dried fruits to the recipe adds another layer of complexity that helps to round out the overall experience.
What’s nice about this recipe is that you can tweak it as needed to make whatever changes you wish.
What Makes Your Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe Unique?
One thing that sets mine apart from other versions of this dish is the addition of cranberry sauce.
While I’ve seen recipes that call for it, I’ve never actually used it myself.
However, I’m glad that I gave it a try now because it truly does compliment the flavor profile of the turkey nicely.
Plus, I love the idea of pairing the tartness of the fruit with the milder sweetness of the dressing.
Another element that sets this recipe apart is the addition of the sweet potato cubes.
Although I’ve found recipes that include them, I haven’t ever tried them myself.
But I am definitely curious to see how they compare to traditional mashed sweet potatoes.
What Is The Secret To Your Delicious Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe?
There isn’t really any trick here. All you have to do is follow the instructions included in the box.
Everything comes together beautifully.
How Often Do You Make Your Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe?
My mom and I typically make this dish once per week, although we sometimes break tradition and serve it earlier in November rather than waiting until the last weekend of the month.
We’ve found that the later we wait, the tastier the turkey becomes.
What Would You Say Is The Biggest Challenge When Making Your Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe?
It’s quite difficult to mess up the stuffing.
It turns out pretty consistently every single time unless you’re dealing with an extremely large amount of bread crumbs.
What do your friends and family think of your Thanksgiving chicken recipe?
They absolutely rave about it!
Everyone loves the flavor combo and the ease with which it goes together.
My dad especially raves about the simplicity of the preparation.
He says that it reminds him of his childhood thanksgiving dinners where everything had to be prepared ahead of time.
For me personally, it feels very fulfilling to cook a meal that brings warmth and happiness to someone else’s life.
Not only is it satisfying to watch something that you spent hours upon hours working on come together flawlessly, but it gives you a sense of accomplishment knowing that you created something that nourishes another person.
So whether you’re looking to impress guests or host a family gathering of your own, this recipe will help to ensure that you leave no stone unturned when it comes to putting on a show.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 4-5 lb whole chicken
- 1 slice lemon
Instructions
- Combine kosher salt, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Place aside.
- Take the chicken and any giblets out of the packing. Utilize paper towels to pat the chicken dry.
- Use the dry rub mixture to season the chicken’s outside and underneath the skin. Additionally season the cavity.
- Place in a baking dish or roasting pan, cover, and chill for 8 to 24 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using stuffing, do so now with the chicken. If not, stuff the cavity with herbs and lemon slices. Now is the time to truss the chicken.
- A thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit after the chicken has baked in the oven for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or 20 minutes per pound, once it has been preheated. If the chicken is packed, add another 10-15 minutes.
- Before carving, take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.