Description
This Easy Apple Cider Chicken recipe features juicy, bone-in chicken thighs seared to a golden crisp and baked in a flavorful apple cider glaze with brown sugar, garlic, and thinly sliced apples. The combination of savory seasonings and sweet glaze creates a perfect balance of taste in a simple, home-cooked dish ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Units
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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 later.
- Season the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, ensuring each piece is fully coated with the seasoning mix.
- Heat the oil: Place an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Heat until shimmering and hot enough to sear the chicken.
- Sear the chicken: Add the chicken thighs skin side down to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and sear the other side briefly. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Cook the onions: In the same pan, add the diced sweet onions to the flavorful pan juices. Stir and cook until the onions soften and become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare the glaze: Add apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for about 5 minutes to thicken the glaze.
- Combine ingredients: Return the sliced apples and seared chicken thighs back into the pan, nestling them into the glaze.
- Bake the chicken: Spoon glaze over the chicken and place the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Serve and enjoy: Once cooked through, remove from oven and spoon additional glaze over the chicken for extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use a cast iron skillet for even cooking and an excellent sear on the chicken.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to achieve crispy skin.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken skin side down first to develop a golden brown crust.
- Ensure you use apple cider, not apple cider vinegar, to avoid any sourness in the glaze.
- Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking.
