Description
This Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Autumn Slaw recipe offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, featuring tender seared chicken thighs glazed with a sticky apple cider and honey sauce, paired with a crisp and refreshing slaw made from autumn apples, celery, red onion, and carrots tossed in a tangy mayonnaise dressing. Ideal for fall dinners, this dish combines simple ingredients with dynamic textures and flavors for a satisfying and wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup apple cider
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
Autumn Apple Slaw
- 2 apples, cut into matchsticks
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 1 large carrot, peeled and finely grated
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F to prepare for roasting the chicken after searing.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously on all sides with kosher salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder for a flavorful crust.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 2 to 3 minutes until deeply golden on one side. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Make Sauce & Simmer: Whisk together apple cider, honey, and water. Pour the mixture into the skillet with the seared chicken, keep over medium heat, and let it bubble and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to begin thickening the glaze.
- Oven Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Spoon the sticky sauce over the chicken before serving.
- Prepare Autumn Slaw: In a large bowl, combine matchstick apples, diced celery, red onion, and grated carrot. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Make Slaw Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth.
- Toss Slaw: Pour the dressing over the apple and vegetable mixture and toss well until everything is evenly coated. Serve alongside the sticky apple cider chicken.
Notes
- Using a cast iron or oven-safe skillet is essential to move the chicken from stovetop to oven seamlessly.
- Adjust the honey amount in the sauce and slaw dressing according to your sweetness preference.
- Resting the chicken after baking allows juices to redistribute, keeping it moist.
- Ensure apples used for slaw are crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala for the best texture.
- This dish pairs well with roasted root vegetables or a simple green salad for a fuller meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
