Holiday Maple Herb Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables (Ninja Crispi Friendly)

There is something magical about December dinners—a kind of warmth that goes deeper than simple comfort food and becomes an experience, a memory, a moment where the season feels like it settles right into your kitchen. This Holiday Maple Herb Roast Chicken captures that feeling perfectly. It's a dish that fills your entire home with aromas of rosemary, thyme, warm maple glaze, and roasted winter vegetables. It’s the kind of meal that makes even an ordinary weeknight feel festive. This recipe was created for the December season: cold nights, twinkling lights, soft blankets, and meals that bring everyone closer to the table.

What makes this dish special is the combination of simplicity and elegance. You don’t need complicated ingredients, lengthy marinating times, or a long list of specialty items. Everything here is accessible, familiar, and comforting—yet the end result tastes like something you’d proudly serve at a holiday gathering. The maple glaze brings just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the savory herbs. The vegetables soften, caramelize, and soak up all the drippings from the chicken. And the fresh herbs make the kitchen smell like a winter lodge tucked away in the mountains.

This dinner is also intentionally flexible. You can cook it in a traditional oven or use your Ninja Crispi for quicker cooking and beautifully roasted results. December is often a busy month—shopping, decorating, baking, planning, and trying to keep up with everyday responsibilities—so I wanted to create a recipe that feels impressive without overwhelming you.

One of the most beautiful parts of this dinner is how deeply seasonal it is. Root vegetables are at their peak in December, making them sweet, earthy, and perfect for roasting. Carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and onions transform into golden, caramelized bites that pair perfectly with the chicken's savory juices. A touch of maple evokes holiday flavors without feeling like a dessert, and fresh herbs add a traditional winter aroma. This isn’t just a meal—it’s a December mood.

The story behind this recipe comes from winter gatherings where food becomes a part of the memory itself. The kind of nights where the air outside bites with cold, you come inside with flushed cheeks, and the warmth of the kitchen hits you instantly. I wanted to make something that feels like that moment—steaming pans, soft lighting, the sound of family or friends talking in the background, and the comfort of a simple but deeply satisfying dinner.

In many homes, December dinners have a rhythm. Some nights are dedicated to holiday cookies, others to festive appetizers, and some to takeout because you’re exhausted. But then there are the dinners that feel like a reset—a grounding meal where you sit down, breathe a little slower, and enjoy something hearty and homemade. This chicken dinner is meant for those nights.

What’s also wonderful is how customizable this recipe is. Don’t like parsnips? Add sweet potatoes. Want more seasoning? Increase the rosemary or add sage. Want a crispier texture? Use the Ninja Crispi’s roast or air roast settings. Want something more classic? Use the oven and let it roast slowly. This recipe works with your lifestyle instead of against it.

Cooking during December often becomes tied to tradition—even unintentionally. You make certain dishes because they feel right for the season. This roast chicken is one of those meals that can become its own little tradition, something you bring back year after year because of how cozy and nostalgic it feels. It’s hearty enough for a holiday meal, simple enough for a weekday dinner, and festive enough to serve to guests.

And beyond the flavor, there’s something grounding about making a meal like this. December can feel fast, chaotic, emotional, exciting, and exhausting all at once. Cooking a warm, comforting dinner can pull you right back into the present. Chopping vegetables, mixing herbs, brushing the glaze onto the chicken—each step slows you down just enough. You get to create something beautiful, something nurturing, something that fills your home with comfort.

So whether you’re planning a December dinner for your family, your partner, your friends, or just for yourself, this meal is made to be part of your season—not just a recipe, but a whole warm moment wrapped in food. This is your cozy holiday plate: rustic, comforting, festive, and full of soul-warming flavors.

Recipe Time

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45–55 minutes (Ninja Crispi or Oven)
Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (3–4 lbs) or 4 bone-in thighs
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2–3 potatoes, chopped
• 1–2 parsnips (optional), chopped

Instructions

1. Mix the maple syrup, olive oil, Dijon mustard, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Place the chopped vegetables in a bowl and toss with 1–2 tablespoons of the glaze. Spread them in a heat-safe pan or Ninja Crispi pan.
3. Pat the chicken dry and brush the remaining glaze all over it.
4. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables.
5. If using Ninja Crispi: Cook on ROAST at 375°F for 45–55 minutes, or until golden and fully cooked.
6. If using oven: Roast at 400°F for 45–55 minutes.
7. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Calories (Approx.)

• Chicken (per serving): 280 calories
• Vegetables (per serving): 120 calories
• Maple glaze: 80 calories

Total per serving: ~480 calories

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

December deserves meals that feel special, comforting, and full of warmth—and this recipe brings all of that straight to your table. The maple herb glaze is festive without being overly sweet, the vegetables caramelize beautifully, and the chicken stays juicy and tender. Whether you’re celebrating the season or simply trying to slow down during a chaotic month, this dinner feels like a cozy holiday hug.