Orange and Guava Glazed Roast Chicken with Caribbean Spices
Tender roast chicken glazed with a bright orange and guava sauce, infused with warm Caribbean spices for a vibrant flavor. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs (4 lbs), spatchcocked whole chicken, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 (4 lbs), spatchcocked whole chicken
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/3 cup diced guava paste
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 1 whole spatchcocked chicken (4 lbs). In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the chicken skin and under the skin.
- Step 2: Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet skin side up and roast for 40 minutes.
- Step 3: While the chicken roasts, combine 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/3 cup diced guava paste, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the guava paste melts and the glaze thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from oven and brush generously with half of the orange-guava glaze. Roast for an additional 10 minutes until the skin is caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: Remove chicken, let rest for 10 minutes, then brush with remaining glaze before carving and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Orange and Guava Glazed Roast Chicken with Caribbean Spices take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Orange and Guava Glazed Roast Chicken with Caribbean Spices?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Orange and Guava Glazed Roast Chicken with Caribbean Spices?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Orange and Guava Glazed Roast Chicken with Caribbean Spices for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Orange and Guava Glazed Roast Chicken with Caribbean Spices?
Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
