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Apple Cider Glazed Chicken with Herbs and Honeycrisp Apple Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 90 reviews

This Apple Cider Glazed Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs coated in a sweet and tangy glaze made from apple cider, brown sugar, and aromatic herbs. The combination of garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, and warm spices like nutmeg and smoked paprika creates a flavorful dish perfect for a comforting dinner. The glaze gets its depth from soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard, complemented by the natural sweetness of a Honeycrisp apple. Cooked in a skillet to achieve a crispy skin and rich caramelization, this dish is a delightful mix of savory and sweet that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Glaze and Marinade

  • 1¼ cup Apple Cider (not apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • ⅓ cup Brown Sugar
  • 3 cloves Garlic (grated or minced)
  • 1/3 cup Yellow Onion (finely diced)
  • 1 sprig Fresh Rosemary
  • 1 sprig Fresh Thyme
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tsp Fresh Ginger (grated)
  • ¼ tsp Nutmeg

Main Ingredients

  • 1 Honeycrisp Apple (large, sliced or diced)
  • 4 Chicken Thighs (skin-on)

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • ½ tsp Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp Onion Powder
  • ½ tsp Smoked Paprika

Cooking Fat

  • 2 tbsp Avocado Oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Rub this spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs to season thoroughly.
  2. Make the Glaze: In a separate medium bowl, mix together the apple cider, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, grated garlic, finely diced onion, fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs, Dijon mustard, grated fresh ginger, and nutmeg. Stir well until the brown sugar dissolves and all ingredients are combined.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear until golden brown and crispy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 3 to 5 minutes more. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Sauté the Apple: In the same skillet, add the sliced Honeycrisp apple and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  5. Simmer with Glaze: Pour the prepared glaze mixture over the apples in the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to add flavor. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin side up, nestling them into the glaze and apples.
  6. Finish Cooking: Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Let the chicken simmer in the glaze for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Occasionally spoon the glaze over the chicken to keep it moist and flavorful.
  7. Serve: Remove the herb sprigs before serving. Plate the chicken thighs with the apple cider glaze and sautéed apples spooned over the top. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables.

Notes

  • Use skin-on chicken thighs for the best texture and flavor; skin crisps nicely during searing.
  • Do not use apple cider vinegar as it will change the sweetness and acidity balance of the glaze.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, remove the chicken once cooked and simmer the glaze for a few more minutes until it reduces slightly.
  • Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme can be substituted with dried versions, but reduce quantity to about 1 teaspoon each.
  • Ensure to monitor the heat when sautéing apples to avoid burning.

Keywords: apple cider chicken, glazed chicken thighs, skillet chicken, sweet and savory chicken, autumn recipes, apple recipes, chicken dinner

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/apple-cider-glazed-chicken-with-herbs-and-honeycrisp-apple-recipe/