Cherry Roast Chicken with Sage Stuffing (Printer-friendly)

Succulent roast chicken with fragrant sage stuffing and rich cherry sauce, perfect for festive gatherings or special Sunday dinners.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper

→ For the Sage Stuffing

04 - 7 oz day-old bread, cubed
05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped (or 2 tsp dried sage)
09 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 5 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten
12 - ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp chicken stock
13 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ For the Cherry Sauce

14 - 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries
15 - ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp red wine
16 - 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
17 - 2 tbsp honey
18 - 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic; sauté until softened for about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in sage and parsley, then add bread cubes. Toss to coat evenly. Remove from heat, cool slightly, then stir in the beaten egg and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper.
04 - Stuff the chicken cavity with the sage stuffing, securing with kitchen twine if needed. Rub the chicken skin with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
05 - Place the chicken breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for about 1 hour 30 minutes, basting occasionally, until juices run clear and a thermometer in the thickest part reads 165°F.
06 - While the chicken roasts, combine cherries, red wine, balsamic vinegar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
07 - Stir in the cornstarch-water mixture and cook until the sauce thickens for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
08 - Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve with the cherry sauce and extra stuffing on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet and savory combination creates those restaurant quality flavors right in your home kitchen
  • The cherry sauce transforms simple roast chicken into something worthy of special occasions
  • Leftovers make incredible sandwiches the next day if there are any
02 -
  • Overfilling the chicken cavity prevents proper heat circulation so pack loosely or bake extra stuffing in a separate dish
  • The resting period is absolutely crucial for juicy meat so do not skip it even if everyone is hungry
  • Cherry sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated saving you time when serving
03 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before oiling for the crispiest skin
  • If using frozen cherries no need to thaw them first
  • Make extra cherry sauce and freeze it for quick weeknight meals

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