This incredible Apple Cider Chicken transforms ordinary chicken thighs into a mouth-watering meal bursting with sweet and savory flavors. The chicken gets perfectly crisp on the outside while staying juicy inside, and the apple cider glaze creates a rich, caramelized sauce that’s simply irresistible. Ready in just 40 minutes, this dish brings fall flavors to your dinner table any time of year!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combination of sweet apple cider, brown sugar, and savory spices creates an incredible depth of flavor that makes this dish special.
  • Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat: The searing technique gives you that restaurant-quality crispy chicken skin while keeping the meat tender and moist.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious meal.
  • Weeknight Friendly: Despite its impressive flavor profile, this dish comes together in about 40 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Bone-in chicken thighs: These provide more flavor than boneless cuts and stay incredibly juicy. The skin gets wonderfully crispy when seared properly.
  • Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika): This perfect blend creates a flavorful crust on the chicken that enhances the entire dish.
  • Vegetable oil: Helps achieve that beautiful golden sear on the chicken without burning.
  • Sweet onion: Adds aromatic depth and natural sweetness that complements the apple cider.
  • Apple cider: The star ingredient! Provides a sweet-tart base for the glaze. Make sure it’s fresh apple cider, not vinegar.
  • Brown sugar: Helps caramelize the sauce and balances the acidity of the cider.
  • Soy sauce: Adds that umami depth and saltiness that makes the sauce complex.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Brings a tangy richness that enhances the savory elements.
  • Dijon mustard: Adds a sophisticated tang and helps emulsify the sauce.
  • Minced garlic: Provides aromatic punch that complements the sweeter elements.
  • Apple: Fresh slices add texture, freshness, and reinforce the apple flavor.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious options:

  • Protein Switch: Use boneless chicken breasts or pork chops instead of thighs (adjust cooking time accordingly).
  • Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that balances the sweetness.
  • Herb Infusion: Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs to the sauce while baking for an earthy, aromatic twist.
  • Make it Creamy: Stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream at the end for a richer, more decadent sauce.

How to Make Apple Cider Chicken

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss until the chicken is thoroughly coated on all sides.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Flip and brown the other side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

Step 3: Make the Sauce Base

Add diced onions to the same pan with all those flavorful chicken drippings. Cook until almost translucent, stirring occasionally. Pour in the apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Stir well and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

Add the sliced apples to the sauce, then nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pan, skin side up. Spoon some of the glaze over the chicken. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Once done, spoon more of that gorgeous glaze over the chicken before serving. The sauce will have thickened slightly and coated the chicken with sweet-savory goodness.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Cast Iron is King: A cast iron skillet conducts heat evenly and goes from stovetop to oven seamlessly.
  • Dry Before Seasoning: Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels before seasoning. This ensures crispy skin and better seasoning adhesion.
  • Don’t Rush the Sear: Let the chicken cook undisturbed when searing to develop that perfect golden crust.
  • Baste While Baking: For extra flavor, open the oven halfway through cooking and spoon more glaze over the chicken.
  • Let it Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let the juices redistribute.

How to Serve

This Apple Cider Chicken pairs beautifully with so many sides to create a complete meal:

Perfect Pairings:

  • Serve over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice to soak up the amazing sauce
  • Pair with roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans for a complete meal
  • Add a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness

Presentation:

Serve the chicken thighs with plenty of sauce spooned over top, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley, and arrange the cooked apple slices attractively around the plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This chicken actually tastes even better the next day! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to develop as it sits.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture of the apples may change slightly when frozen.

Reheating

For best results, reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. Add a splash of apple cider or chicken broth if the sauce needs thinning. You can also microwave, but the skin won’t stay crispy.

FAQs

  1. Can I use boneless chicken instead of bone-in thighs?

    Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs or breasts work well too. Just adjust your cooking time—boneless pieces will cook faster. For chicken breasts, I’d recommend checking the internal temperature after about 10 minutes in the oven.

  2. What’s the difference between apple cider and apple juice for this recipe?

    Apple cider is less filtered and has a richer, more complex flavor than apple juice. It creates a more robust sauce, but in a pinch, apple juice will work—the sauce will just be slightly sweeter and less complex.

  3. Can I make this recipe ahead for a dinner party?

    Yes! You can prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, refrigerate, and then finish in the oven just before serving. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since you’ll be starting with cold chicken.

  4. My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?

    If your sauce needs thickening, remove the chicken after baking and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for a few additional minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency. For an immediate fix, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir into the simmering sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cider Chicken is one of those magical recipes that seems fancy but requires minimal effort. The combination of crispy chicken and that sweet-savory glaze creates a meal that’ll have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something special but don’t have all evening to cook. Give it a try—I promise it’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation!

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Easy Apple Cider Chicken Recipe

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This Easy Apple Cider Chicken recipe is a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for cozy dinners. The savory chicken thighs are seasoned to perfection, seared for a crispy skin, and then baked in a luscious apple cider glaze that combines sweetness, tanginess, and spice. It’s an ideal mix of sweet and savory flavors that complement each other beautifully. You’ll love how simple this dish is to prepare, yet it feels gourmet enough to impress family or guests!

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

  1. Preheat the Oven
    Preheat your oven to 375°F. This ensures your chicken will cook evenly once placed into the oven.
  2. Season the Chicken
    In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix thoroughly to coat both sides of the chicken with the seasoning.
  3. Sear the Chicken
    In a large oven-safe pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and sear on the other side until browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
  4. Cook the Onion
    In the same pan, add the diced onion to the remaining juices. Stir and cook until the onions are translucent and nearly clear.
  5. Prepare the Glaze
    Add the apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic to the pan. Stir the mixture until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
  6. Combine Chicken and Apples
    Add the sliced apples to the pan, then place the seared chicken thighs back into the pan. Using a spoon, scoop the glaze from the bottom of the pan and pour it over the chicken.
  7. Bake
    Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s fully cooked.
  8. Serve
    Once done, remove the pan from the oven and spoon more glaze over the chicken. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use a cast iron pan to ensure even cooking and achieve a fantastic sear on the chicken.
  • Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning to help the skin turn extra crispy during searing.
  • Searing the chicken skin-side down first is crucial for a golden-brown crust—don’t skip this step.
  • Always use fresh apple cider (not apple cider vinegar) for a sweet, rich flavor.
  • Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F to prevent overcooking or undercooking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with glaze
  • Calories: 425
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 115mg
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Hey, I'm Emily! I'm a home cook with a passion for fun, real recipes that make my kitchen my happy place. Dive in and share the flavor of my everyday foodie adventures!

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