Description
Succulent roast chicken with grapefruit delivers a zesty Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience. Juicy citrus notes complement tender meat, creating a light yet satisfying meal that delights palates and brings Mediterranean freshness to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (4–5 pounds / 1.8–2.3 kilograms)
- 2 grapefruits, segmented into suprêmes
- 4 slices bacon
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley sprigs
Liquid and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) cognac
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) half-and-half
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a rack inside a baking dish or cast-iron skillet for the roasting process.
- Carefully segment the grapefruit into suprêmes, collecting juice in a separate bowl and squeezing membranes to extract maximum liquid.
- Create a seasoning blend of salt and pepper, then gently massage this mixture under the chicken’s skin, inside the cavity, and across the exterior surface.
- Stuff the chicken cavity with half of the grapefruit segments and several parsley sprigs, ensuring even distribution of aromatics.
- Truss the chicken by securing legs with kitchen twine and tucking wing tips underneath the body to promote even cooking.
- Arrange bacon slices in an overlapping pattern across the chicken breast, drizzling with olive oil to enhance flavor and promote crispy skin.
- Roast the chicken for 40 minutes, then carefully pour collected grapefruit juice over the bird to maintain moisture and add citrus notes.
- Continue roasting for an additional 35-40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 170°F in the thickest parts of thigh and breast.
- Remove chicken from the oven, cover with foil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Prepare the sauce by heating cognac in a skillet, carefully igniting with a long match and letting it burn for approximately 1 minute.
- Add remaining grapefruit segments, chicken broth, and half-and-half to the pan, heating thoroughly and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Present the carved chicken on a platter, garnished with fresh grapefruit segments and parsley, then generously drizzle the warm sauce over the meat.
Notes
- Gently massage salt and spices under chicken skin for deeper flavor penetration and more even seasoning throughout the meat.
- Choose thick-cut bacon to create a protective crispy layer that prevents the breast from drying out while adding rich smoky notes.
- Use a meat thermometer to precisely check internal temperature, ensuring juicy chicken without overcooking and preventing potential foodborne illness.
- Substitute bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon for lower-fat versions, or use vegetarian chicken alternatives for plant-based diets while maintaining similar roasting techniques.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg