Hanukkah Chicken Recipes (2024)

by Beth Lee · Published: · Modified:

Hanukkah Chicken Recipes are a perfect complement to the symbolic fried foods like latkes that we love to eat for Hannukah. This post includes lots of information about the Chanukah holiday and links to eight great chicken recipes.

For ease of browsing, find all my Hanukkah recipes in one place.

Hanukkah Chicken Recipes (1)

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What is Hanukkah? Chanukah? Hannukah? Channukah?

Hanukkah is the eight-night Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the temple in 165 B.C. It is a celebration of the oil that miraculously lasted eight days (hence the length of the holiday) when they thought it would only last one.

Each night we add another candle to the hannukiah (Hanukkah menorah) until all eight candles are complete. There is also a helper candle called a shamash that is used to light the candles.

The candles are added to the hanukkiah from right to left each night but are lit from left to right as you can see my daughter doing very carefully below!

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The exact dates of Hannukah change because it is based on the Lunar calendar. Sometimes it overlaps Christmas and sometimes it starts a couple days after Thanksgiving. And as for the myriad spellings - it is a phonetic translation of a Hebrew word leaving it open for interpretation.

What are traditional Hanukkah foods?

Since Chanukah celebrates the oil that lasted longer than expected, the traditional foods are fried. Potato latkes and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) are very popular. In our house, a little rolled pastry called a rugelach is our favorite, though it is not fried.

Below you see fried donuts on the left (photo by Annie Martin from The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook), in the center you see one fried and filled with the jam I created in honor of my son, and on the right you see the donuts baked! (and I promise they are great!)

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Often people play a game called dreidel and use gold-wrapped edible chocolate coins as the game tokens. And when the game is over, everyone eats the money :-).

What to eat with the fried foods?

It's very possible to make a satisfying meal out of latkes with lots of sour cream and applesauce with a big salad and some vegetables. But very often, at least in the Ashkenazi Jewish tradition (from Eastern Europe), a brisket or chicken dish is a must.

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Brisket can be made ahead of time as can a good baked chicken dish. And if you are serving a large crowd or just want lots of leftovers, how about one of each? Below you'll find links to eight of my favorite Hanukkah chicken recipes - one for each night of the holiday!

8 Chicken Recipes for the 8 Nights of Hanukkah!

Apricot Jam Chicken

Apricot jam chicken with lemon and Dijon mustard is a wonderful blend of sweet, tart and savory flavors. And it’s so easy to prepare for a simple weeknight meal or a special holiday dinner.

Click for recipe!

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Roasted Chicken with Clementines

Wonderful flavors with lots of vegetables to complement your meal. My version of an Ottolenghi recipe that is a winner winner chicken dinner every single time!

Click for Recipe!

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How to Roast a Whole Chicken

If you have a whole chicken to cook, no fear. I taught my son to do it by text!

Click for Recipe!

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Chicken with Jerusalem Artichokes

Another one-pan wonder with the wonderful Jerusalem artichoke and some precious saffron too!

Click for Recipe!

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Chicken with Mushrooms and Thyme

A simple flavorful option for Hanukkah or any night of the week.

Click for Recipe!

Photo credit: pastrychefonline.com

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Persian Chicken Kabob (Kabob-eh Morgh)

Want to change it up - follow these wonderful directions for making Persian chicken kabobs.

Click for Recipe!

Photo credit: familyspice.com

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Roasted Herb Chicken with Mandarin Orange

The citrus flavors always lighten up the whole meal!

Click for Recipe!

Photo credit: fearlessdining.com

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Hanukkah Chicken Recipes (16)

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  1. Sandi

    I love this roundup Beth. Everything looks so tasty! I plan to make the apricot jam chicken first!

    Reply

    • Beth Lee

      Thanks Sandi - if it makes your menu plan, then I know I'm doing something right!

      Reply

  2. Dahn

    That chicken with apricot jam sounds fabulous. I make something similar with orange marmalade, I will have to try this. Welcome to MVP!

    Reply

    • Beth Lee

      Thanks for the warm welcome to MVP! Oh orange marmalade would be wonderful.

      Reply

  3. Rita Held

    Nice and simple. I love lemon anything, so I'll probably have to make this

    Reply

    • Beth Lee

      It’s so easy but a mouthful of flavor!

      Reply

  4. Laura

    This dish looks incredible! A great meal for any night of the week, especially Hanukkah! Happy holidays, my friend!

    Reply

    • Beth Lee

      Thanks Laura! It really is a year round chicken dinner but I enjoy the lemony fruity counterpoint to the rich latkes!

      Reply

  5. Richard Bernhardt

    I don't know how Chanukah came to be on the first of December this year, but it took me by surprise, but no matter. Enjoy the lights, enjoy the latkes, enjoy the dredels, enjoy most of all the smiles from the kids and family. Happy Chanukah! - Richard

    Reply

  6. Kristen

    Happy Hannukah to you! Love your train and that chicken dish.

    Reply

  7. Prerna@IndianSimmer

    Oh wow, this looks DELIGHTFUL!
    I'm so gonna try this recipe soon. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  8. Cindy

    Hi Beth. How about that great Lipton onion soup recipe that we used to love. Wasn't that something your mom made you or do I have faulty memory. The apricot/pineapple preserves made me think of it.

    Reply

    • omgyummy

      You're right Cindy - I think it was apricot jam mixed with onion soup. It was yummy wasn't it? I had forgotten about that favorite. Wonder if we would think it is still so good now that our palates have matured. Probably - because it would taste like comfort food.

      Reply

Hanukkah Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What foods are not allowed during Hanukkah? ›

"Among other rules, eating certain animals, primarily pigs and shellfish, is forbidden; meat must be ritually and humanely slaughtered; and dairy and meat aren't to be eaten at the same meal." Fish and plant foods are "neutral" (parve) and can be eaten with either meat or dairy.

What is a good Hanukkah menu? ›

A Traditional Menu for Hanukkah
  • 01 of 12. Potato Latkes I. View Recipe. ...
  • 02 of 12. Spiced Slow Cooker Applesauce. View Recipe. ...
  • 03 of 12. Applesauce. ...
  • 04 of 12. Most Amazing Challah. ...
  • 05 of 12. Wine-Braised Beef Brisket. ...
  • 06 of 12. Salmon with Lemon and Dill. ...
  • 07 of 12. Crispy Rosemary Chicken and Fries. ...
  • 08 of 12. Roasted Green Beans.
Oct 21, 2020

What do Jews eat the first night of Hanukkah? ›

The Holiday Meal(s)

Foods fried in oil are traditional and are eaten to commemorate the miracle of the oil. Perhaps the most famous fried item is the potato latke, aka, the potato pancake. We like to think of them as Hanukkah crepes because they can be dressed up with sweet or savory toppings.

What kind of junk food is commonly eaten during Hanukkah? ›

Fried foods, like potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts, are prepared and eaten throughout the holiday to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah: oil that kept the menorah (an ancient lamp) lit for 8 days instead of the 1 day it was supposed to last.

What is forbidden on Hanukkah? ›

Other related laws and customs

It is customary for women not to work for at least the first half-hour of the candles' burning, and some have the custom not to work for the entire time of burning. It is also forbidden to fast or to eulogize during Hanukkah.

Can you eat beef on Hanukkah? ›

Traditional Hanukkah foods: latkes, beef brisket, matzo ball soup.

Can you eat cheese on Hanukkah? ›

One version of the story specifies that the cheese was cooked into a pancake. "By the 14th century, there's quite a strong tradition that people eat cheese on Hanukkah and it's associated with Judith giving cheese to the enemy to make him drunk," Weingarten says.

What should a guest bring to Hanukkah dinner? ›

Your host might appreciate gifts of chocolate, gourmet applesauce, candles, books or board games.

What fried foods are eaten on Hanukkah? ›

There are two foods you're almost certain to encounter at a Hanukkah dinner: fried shredded potato pancakes known as latkes, and sufganiyot, which are jelly or custard-filled donuts. Other items you might see on the table include various fried pastries, fried fish, and even fried chicken.

Can you eat eggs on Hanukkah? ›

Latkes, one of the best known of all Hanukkah foods, can be made in many different ways. The basic recipe for this delicious side dish includes just grated potatoes, eggs, and salt. The ingredients are mixed together, formed into circular patties, and fried in oil.

Can you eat salmon during Hanukkah? ›

Smoked Salmon and Latkes

As fried foods are often the theme during Hanukkah, latkes represent a classic. Already an Acme Smoked Fish Hanukkah favorite, the addition of smoked salmon, crème fraiche, red onion, and capers make this Hanukkah dish feel like the holiday on a plate.

Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah? ›

Hanukkah is an ancient Jewish festival of dedication and miracles. Jesus himself celebrated this sacred occasion during his time on earth. Today, some Christians honor the miraculous rededication of the temple by observing Hanukkah. Christians who appreciate the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith celebrate Hanukkah.

What should I bring to a Hanukkah dinner? ›

Your host might appreciate gifts of chocolate, gourmet applesauce, candles, books or board games.

What food is a symbol of Hanukkah? ›

Symbolic Foods

Most of these traditional foods are fried in oil, symbolic of the oil that lasted eight days. Others contain cheese to celebrate Judith's victory. Three popular foods eaten on the Jewish holidays include loukoumades, pancakes, and latkes.

Can you eat cheese during Hanukkah? ›

In honor of Judith, many Jews will dine on cheesy foods, like cheese pancakes, blintzes, or cheese danishes during Hanukkah.

What are two fried treats served during Hanukkah? ›

In America, Hanukkah food typically refers to two things: latkes, Eastern European fried potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts that are favored in Israel and increasingly popular here.

References

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