Roast Chicken with Dried Fruit and Almonds

A luxurious roasted chicken dish featuring a bed of caramelized onions and tender dried fruits, seasoned with warm spices and topped with toasted almonds. The combination of sweet fruits and savory chicken creates a perfect balance of flavors.

8 servings
2 hr 25 min

Ingredients

  • 7 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3 pounds onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 pound pitted prunes, halved
  • 12 ounces pitted dates, halved
  • 10 ounces dried apricot halves
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 whole chickens
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • cups water
  • ½ cup blanched slivered almonds
  • toasted

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 6 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until deep golden brown, about 30 minutes; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer onions to large bowl; mix in prunes, dates, apricots, sugar, and cinnamon. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

    30 min

  2. 2.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread fruit mixture over bottom of large roasting pan. Tuck chicken wing tips under. Rub each chicken with 1/2 tablespoon remaining olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric. Sprinkle each with salt and pepper; place chickens, side by side, atop fruit mixture. Pour 11/2 cups water around chickens. Roast chickens 1 hour. Turn pan around; add more water to fruit mixture by 1/4 cupfuls if beginning to dry. Continue to roast chickens until brown and juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 45 minutes.

    105 min

  3. 3.

    Transfer chickens to carving board; let stand 10 minutes. Spoon fruit onto platter; top with chickens and any accumulated juices. Sprinkle with almonds and serve.

    10 min