Classic Sweet Apple Cider Gravy Recipe - Paula Deen

Ingredients

• 2 (4-5 pound) whole chickens, rinsed, patted dry, and giblets removed
• 6 tablespoons Butter, room temperature
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 6 Red Delicious apples, 2 cut in half and cored and 4 cored and sliced
• 2 heads garlic, cut in half
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 8 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• Apple Gravy, recipe follows
• Roasted sliced Apples and drippings (reserved from chicken)
• 1 cup apple brandy
• 4 cups homemade chicken stock
• 4 cups apple cider
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup Butter
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme