Ingredients
1 4-pound chicken
Salt
About 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch wedges/half moons
1 large or 2 medium red onions, root attached, peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges
1 large or 2 medium firm, tart apples, such as Northern Spy apples, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch wedges and dressed with juice of 1/2 lemon
EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
2 tablespoons thyme, chopped, divided
Black pepper
1/4 cup puréed chipotle in adobo
2 rounded tablespoons Acacia honey or maple syrup
4 slices meaty smoky bacon, chopped
1/2 cup apple cider
1/2 cup amber beer
Directions
Salt chicken inside and out, tie legs together and trim wing tips. Refrigerate several hours or overnight uncovered or on the counter for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
In a large mixing bowl, toss squash, onions and apples with EVOO to coat lightly, half the thyme, salt and pepper.
Combine chipotle and honey or maple syrup and a drizzle of oil. Slather bird with sauce and season with pepper and thyme.
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook to render fat. Remove pan from heat, add vegetables to the pan and set chicken on top. Transfer skillet to oven and roast 1 hour to an internal temperature of 160°F on thermometer.
Let chicken rest 15-20 minutes.
Remove vegetables to platter and place pan on heat, whisk in cider and beer, and cook to reduce pan drippings by half.
Carve chicken into 8 pieces and serve with squash, apples and onions and cider-beer jus.