Description
This Easy Apple Cider Chicken recipe features tender, juicy bone-in chicken thighs glazed with a flavorful blend of apple cider, brown sugar, and savory spices. Crispy seared chicken baked with a sweet and tangy apple cider glaze and thin apple slices makes for a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and delicious.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 sweet onion, small diced
- 1 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
- Season the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss well, ensuring all sides of the chicken are evenly coated with the spices.
- Heat the oil: Place a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Allow it to get hot before adding the chicken thighs.
- Sear the chicken: Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the hot oil and cook for about 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip to the other side and cook until browned as well. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
- Cook the onions: Add the diced onions to the pan juices left behind and stir. Cook them until soft and nearly translucent, releasing their sweetness.
- Prepare the glaze: Pour in the apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Combine ingredients: Add the thinly sliced apples and seared chicken thighs back into the pan, distributing the apples around and under the chicken.
- Bake the chicken: Spoon the glaze from the bottom of the pan over the chicken to coat it well. Place the pan uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from the oven and spoon more glaze over the chicken before serving to enhance the flavor and shine.
Notes
- Use a cast iron skillet for even cooking and a beautiful sear on the chicken skin.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure crispy skin.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken skin-side down first to develop a golden brown crust.
- Make sure to use apple cider, not apple cider vinegar, to avoid a sour taste in the glaze.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked through to 165°F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
