Apathetic turkey-eaters, rejoice! This Thanksgiving, you need not settle for the bigger (but lesser) bird. A miso-butter roast chicken and gravy act as the centerpiece here, with a few flavorful sides (green beans, salad) playing backup. We also call for two desserts, one of which is a chocolate cookie. No, cookies are not customary for Thanksgiving—but if chicken's on the table, you've already broken one tradition. What's the harm in breaking another?
A simple start
There’s a lot of food coming, so keep the pre-dinner snacks simple, bite-sized, and very savory. Lemon zest, good olive oil, and black pepper turn sliced salami and buttery Marcona almonds into the perfect salty accompaniment to your first cocktail of the night.
The main bird
This main course recipe—a simple roast chicken that easily doubles if you’re feeding more than four—includes some extras to make it feel more holiday-appropriate. The schmaltzy drippings left over from the chicken become a luscious, miso-spiked gravy, while a twist on stuffing (with acorn squash, apples, and herby croutons) bakes on a sheet pan on the rack below.
A make-ahead salad
Sturdy kale and shaved Brussels sprouts stand up well to dressing, so you can toss them with this bright mustard and shallot vinaigrette well before serving without worrying about your greens going limp.
Buttery green beans
Yes, more butter. We’re celebrating! Make this Green Goddess-inspired compound butter ahead of time and toss it with blanched green beans (any variety works) right before serving for a simple, flavorful side.
Cranberry pie
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without some cranberries, but we’re skipping the sauce and opting for a lemony, custardy cranberry chess pie instead. The cranberries make for little pops of tartness through the luscious filling.
Occasion-worthy cookies
Food-focused holidays require at least two desserts, so offset the bright and fruity pie with a batch of these cookies. A quick food-processor almond praline paste gets beaten into cookie dough and studded with chocolate—exactly what you want for a final bite.
