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Apple Cider Chicken

Apple Cider Chicken
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Apple Cider Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooked in a savory sauce infused with sweet and tangy apple cider. This easy one-pan recipe balances subtle sweetness and hearty goodness, perfect for casual dinners or special gatherings with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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Chicken

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Sauce

  • 1 cup apple cider (unsweetened, natural)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or rosemary/sage as variation)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help them brown nicely. Season generously with salt and pepper and set aside while you heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Place the chicken skin-side down in the hot skillet and cook until golden and crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken and brown the other side briefly, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter or olive oil if needed, then sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, around 3-4 minutes.
  4. Deglaze with Apple Cider: Pour in the apple cider and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to release deep flavor. Allow the cider to simmer for a few minutes to reduce and concentrate.
  5. Build the Sauce: Add chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and fresh thyme. Stir well to combine, then return the chicken thighs to the pan, skin-side up. Cover and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  6. Finish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the pan. Increase the heat to reduce the sauce to a thicker glaze if desired. Pour the luscious sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Pat the chicken very dry for better browning and crispy skin.
  • Use natural, unsweetened apple cider to avoid overpowering sweetness.
  • Simmer chicken slowly in the sauce for maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to lock in juices.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end by tasting the sauce and adding salt or pepper as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider chicken, autumn recipe, one-pan chicken, comforting chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken dish

Find it online: https://sophiemelody.com/apple-cider-chicken/