Description
Rosemary apple cider chicken delivers a perfect weeknight dinner that feels like a warm hug from your favorite kitchen companion. Tender chicken simmered in a fragrant apple cider sauce brings comfort and flavor right to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Liquids and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium apples, thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Grab 6 chicken thighs and thoroughly dab them dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1½ teaspoons kosher salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper across both sides of the meat.
- Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken skin-side down and sear for exactly 5 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip chicken and cook another 3 minutes, then transfer to a separate plate. Reduce burner heat to medium.
- Drop thinly sliced onions into the skillet. Saute for 4 minutes until they turn soft and translucent.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Stir continuously for 1 minute.
- Incorporate 2 thinly sliced apples into the skillet. Gently cook for 2-3 minutes until apples begin softening slightly.
- Pour 1 cup apple cider into the pan. Scrape all browned bits from bottom of skillet. Whisk in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and simmer 2-3 minutes.
- Return chicken thighs to skillet, positioning them skin-side up. Slide entire skillet into a 375°F oven.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove from oven and swirl 1 tablespoon butter across the top. Ladle sauce generously over chicken before serving.
Notes
- Dry the chicken thoroughly to ensure a crispy, golden skin that seals in moisture and creates a beautiful texture.
- Use a cast-iron or heavy oven-safe skillet to get the best sear and develop deep, rich flavors in the dish.
- For a lighter version, swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but reduce cooking time to prevent drying out the meat.
- Gluten-free diners can substitute Dijon mustard with a clean, gluten-free brand to keep the recipe safe and delicious.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 59 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg