Hey there, busy bees! If you’re craving something that’s a mix of sweet, savory, and a touch of tart, then you’re in for a treat with my Apple Cider Glazed Chicken recipe. This dish is perfect for those chilly evenings when you just want something wholesome and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, this is going to be a family favorite in no time!
I got into apple cider during our annual trip to the apple orchard. The kids love picking apples — well, mostly running around and climbing trees while I do the picking. Every year, I end up with more cider than I can handle, so coming up with recipes like this one has been a game-changer.
If you enjoy this, you might want to check out my Spooky Apple Cider Punch. It’s a surefire hit at any gathering!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for a weeknight dinner with just 15 minutes of prep time.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combo of sweet apple cider and savory spices is just irresistible.
- Family-Friendly: This is one of those dishes that even the picky eaters can’t resist.
- Versatile: Great for meal prep or a last-minute dinner party.
Ingredients
- 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)
- ⅓ 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
- 1 Honeycrisp Apple (large)
- 4 Chicken Thighs (skin-on)
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tbsp Avocado Oil
Step-by-step instructions
Preheat and season
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, mix together thesalt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder,andsmoked paprika. Season both sides of each chicken thigh evenly with this mixture. This little prep ensures our chicken is going to be tasty inside out.
Sear the chicken
Heatavocado oilin a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and let them sizzle away for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove them and set aside — but don’t wash that skillet just yet!
Combine and simmer the glaze
In the same skillet, sauté theonionuntil it’s all translucent and lovely. Add in theapple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, rosemary, thyme, garlic, ginger,andnutmeg. Give it a good stir and let it simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes. The smell? Heavenly.
Bake the dish
Add the slicedHoneycrisp appleto the skillet, then place the chicken thighs on top. Spoon some of that amazing glaze over the chicken. Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature hits 165°F (75°C).
Rest and serve
Once done, remove the skillet from the oven. Baste the chicken with the glaze and let it rest a bit. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve by spooning extra glaze over the chicken. Doesn’t that just look divine?
Recipe tips & variations
- Use Bone-In Chicken Breasts: If you prefer breasts, they work just as well, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Add Heat: Throw in some red pepper flakes if you’re in the mood for a little kick.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute tamari for soy sauce to make this dish gluten-free.
- Herbs Swap: If you don’t have fresh herbs, use a teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme.
Storage & reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any extraapple cider glazed chickenin an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of apple cider or water to revive the glaze.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! You can prep the chicken and marinate it in the spice mix overnight. Just sear and bake the next day.
What can I serve with apple cider glazed chicken?
This chicken pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a crisp salad.
Can I use chicken breasts instead?
Yes, just make sure to adjust the baking time, as breasts can cook faster than thighs.
Is there a substitute for apple cider?
Apple juice could work in a pinch, but cider’s depth of flavor is really worth it.
Recipes you may like
- Poisoned Apple Cider: A wickedly delightful drink for your next gathering.
- Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider Punch: Perfectly refreshing and kids-approved.
- Apple Cider Donuts: A sweet treat to enjoy with your coffee or tea.
Dig in and enjoy! I promise thisApple Cider Glazed Chickenwill become a star in your cooking repertoire. Let me know how yours turns out in the comments below!
Apple Cider Glazed Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A delicious mix of sweet, savory, and tart, perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup Apple Cider (not apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/3 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)
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 1 Honeycrisp Apple (large)
- 4 Chicken Thighs (skin-on)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tbsp Avocado Oil
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Season both sides of each chicken thigh evenly with this mixture.
- Heat avocado oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and let them sizzle away for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove them and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion until it’s all translucent. Add in the apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, rosemary, thyme, garlic, ginger, and nutmeg. Give it a stir and let it simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Add the sliced Honeycrisp apple to the skillet, then place the chicken thighs on top. Spoon some of that amazing glaze over the chicken. Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Once done, remove the skillet from the oven. Baste the chicken with the glaze and let it rest a bit. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve by spooning extra glaze over the chicken.
Notes
- Use Bone-In Chicken Breasts: They work just as well, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Add Heat: Throw in some red pepper flakes if you’re in the mood for a little kick.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute tamari for soy sauce.
- Herbs Swap: Use dried rosemary and thyme if fresh ones aren’t available.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg