Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Apple Cider Chicken recipe cooked with crispy seared chicken thighs and a rich, flavorful apple cider glaze, perfect for any dinner table.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
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- 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
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For the Glaze:
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- 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 the oven to 375°F.
- Season the chicken: In a large bowl, add the chicken thighs, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir together until both sides of the chicken thighs are evenly coated.
- Heat the oil: In a large oven-safe pan, add the vegetable oil and heat over medium to high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs, skin side down.
- Sear the chicken: Cook the chicken until golden brown and crispy on one side (about 5-6 minutes). Flip to the other side and cook again until browned. Remove the chicken, place it on a plate, and set aside.
- Cook the onions: Add the diced onions to the juices left in the pan. Stir and cook until the onions are soft and almost translucent.
- Prepare the glaze: Add the apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic to the pan. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: Add the sliced apples and the seared chicken thighs back into the pan.
- Bake the chicken: Using a spoon, scoop the glaze from the bottom of the pan and pour it over the chicken. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Serve and enjoy: Once done, spoon more glaze from the pan over the chicken for extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use a cast iron skillet for even cooking and a nice sear on the chicken.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to get crispy chicken skin.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken skin side down first for a golden brown crust.
- Make sure to use apple cider, not apple cider vinegar, to avoid a sour taste.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
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
