Up-yer-bum Chicken

Chicken:

• 1 whole chicken

• 1 can Saro Cider (we’ve used Saro Botanical, Saro Dry Citrus, or Saro Original)

• 2 tablespoons dry seasoning rub (any desired premixed or homemade blend will do – we use fresh rosemary and thyme and supplement it with a store bought rub like McCormick’s)

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Saro Cider Mustard Cream Sauce

• 2 Tbsp Butter

• 1 Tbsp Flour (ok to substitute with gluten free flour, if desired)

• 5 ounces chicken stock

• 5 ounces Saro Cider

• 5 ounces heavy cream

• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar

• 4 Tbsp Dijon Mustard

For Chicken:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. R rinse, and pat dry the chicken. Carefully remove the label from the Saro Cider can by making a nick at the top and/or bottom of label and peel from can. Open the can of Saro Cider and drink ½ of the can (if you drink too much of it, which is understandable, go back to the fridge and get another). Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of seasoning into can and 1 teaspoon into cavity of chicken. Brush outside of chicken with oil and rub with remaining seasoning. Place Saro Cider can on ungreased baking dish, roasting pan, or cast iron skillet (just need something with sides so that juices don’t run all over your oven). Hold the chicken upright and lower it firmly over the can. Use the chicken’s legs to make a tripod for stability. Place in oven on lower rack and bake upright until instant read thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted near the thigh bone, about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. While chicken is cooking, prepare Saro Cider Mustard Cream Sauce (below). Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then lift off of the can. Place chicken on platter or carving board and let rest for another 10 minutes before carving. Discard cider in can. Serve with Saro Cider Mustard Cream Sauce.

For Cream Sauce:  Melt 2 Tbsp butter in small sauce pan over medium low heat.  Add flour, whisk until dissolved. Pour in chicken stock and stir until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, raise heat, and bring to boil while stirring. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Serve warm or chilled.