Description
This Apple Cider Glazed Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs cooked in a flavorful apple cider glaze infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and warm spices. The glaze perfectly balances sweetness and savory notes, making an elegant yet simple dish that’s ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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
Apple Cider Glaze
- 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
- 1 Honeycrisp Apple (large, sliced)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time your chicken is ready for baking.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Evenly season both sides of each chicken thigh with this spice mixture for a well-rounded flavor base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down and sear for about 4 minutes per side until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Make the Apple Cider Glaze: Using the same skillet, sauté the finely diced yellow onion until translucent and soft. Add the apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and nutmeg. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, allowing it to reduce slightly and develop rich flavors for about 5 minutes.
- Add Apples and Combine: Add the sliced Honeycrisp apple to the skillet, then nestle the seared chicken thighs on top of the glaze and apples. Spoon some glaze over the chicken to coat it.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) indicating it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Final Touches: Remove the skillet from the oven. Baste the chicken with the pan glaze to lock in moisture and flavor. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Spoon extra glaze over each serving for added sweetness and tang.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly to avoid dryness.
- Use a Honeycrisp or other sweet-tart apple variety for best flavor balance.
- Make sure to use actual apple cider, not apple cider vinegar, for the glaze.
- For a thicker glaze, simmer the sauce a few minutes longer before adding the chicken.
- Leftover chicken and glaze can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with glaze
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: apple cider glazed chicken, chicken thighs recipe, apple cider chicken, savory apple chicken, easy chicken dinner, fall recipes, one pan chicken
