Description

Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw is a delightful dish featuring golden, caramelized chicken thighs coated in a sweet and tangy apple cider glaze, paired with a refreshing slaw of shredded cabbage, carrots, and crisp apples. This recipe balances savory and sweet flavors, delivering a perfect meal for fall gatherings or cozy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Glaze

6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
1 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil)

For the Crisp Autumn Slaw

2 cups green cabbage, shredded
1 cup carrots, shredded
1 medium apple (preferably Granny Smith), thinly sliced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped

Instructions

Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup apple cider, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 2 cloves minced garlic. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture reduces and thickens into a sticky glaze that coats the back of a spoon.
Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place them skin side down and sear until the skin is golden and crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the chicken is almost cooked through.
Glaze the chicken: Pour the prepared apple cider glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook gently, spooning the glaze over the thighs frequently, until the glaze becomes sticky and caramelized, coating the chicken beautifully.
Make the crisp autumn slaw: While the chicken cooks, combine shredded green cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced apple in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Drizzle this dressing over the slaw and toss gently to combine. Stir in chopped fresh parsley or chives for brightness.
Plate and serve: Arrange the sticky apple cider chicken thighs on plates alongside a generous portion of the crisp autumn slaw. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect harmony of sticky, sweet chicken and refreshing, crunchy slaw.

Notes

Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs ensures juicy meat and crispy skin.
Granny Smith apples provide a tart contrast that complements the sweet glaze.
Adjust honey in the glaze according to desired sweetness.
The slaw can be prepared ahead and kept chilled for up to 2 hours to develop flavor.
Serve with roasted potatoes or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky chicken, autumn slaw, fall recipes, crispy chicken thighs, apple recipes, easy chicken dinner