Fall brings that crisp, cool weather that’s perfect enough to throw on your favorite sweater and create that coziness that the air conditioner just simply can’t replicate. Whether the weather has caught up to your longings or not, Cozy Apple Butter Chicken will take you there. Your autumn cravings will begin to be satisfied at first smell: whole tender chicken, coated in a garlicky spice mixture and smothered in a sweet and tangy apple butter barbecue sauce. If that isn’t enough, the apple juices flowing from the beautifully golden-brown bird will fulfill all your coziest dreams; it’ll basically feel like a mini-Thanksgiving! So, if you need a taste of that glorious, leaf-falling season at any time of the year, Cozy Apple Butter Chicken is what you should turn to when it’s time for dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 (6-7-pound) roasting chicken
- 1 (11.5-ounce) can unsweetened apple juice
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the grill to medium heat and prepare the grill for indirect heat using a drip pan.
Step 2 –In a small bowl, combine the salt, the garlic powder, the pepper, and the cayenne.
Step 3 –Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken.
Step 4 –Open the can of apple juice with a can punch or a church key, and pour out 1/2 of the juice into another container and save for another use. Leave the remaining juice in the can.
Step 5 –Use the can punch to poke additional small holes in the top of the apple juice can.
Step 6 –Holding the chicken with the legs pointed down, lower the chicken over the apple juice can so it fills the body cavity.
Step 7 –Place the chicken on a grill rack over the drip pan.
Step 8 –Grill, covered, over indirect heat until an instant thermometer reads 180 degrees F, about 1 hour and 30 minutes-2 hours.
Step 9 –In a bowl, combine the apple butter and the barbecue sauce.
Step 10 –Baste the chicken with the apple butter mixture occasionally during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Step 11 –Transfer the chicken from the grill, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes.
Step 12 –Discard the can from the chicken and carve.
Step 13 –Serve.
