Description
Juicy, golden-browned chicken thighs glazed in a sweet, tangy, and aromatic apple cider sauce with fresh herbs, onions, and honeycrisp apples. This dish perfectly blends savory comfort with autumn-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
1¼ cups 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 ground nutmeg
1 large Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Season both sides of chicken thighs with the spice mixture.
- Heat avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and sear for about 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion until translucent.
- Stir in apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, rosemary, thyme, garlic, ginger, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add sliced apples to the skillet, then place chicken thighs on top. Spoon glaze over the chicken.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Remove from oven, baste chicken with glaze, and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and spoon extra glaze from the skillet over the chicken before serving.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner version (adjust cooking time).
- Swap Honeycrisp apples with Granny Smith for a more tart contrast.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the glaze for extra tanginess.
- Stir in a dash of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes for subtle heat.
- Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a deeper, earthy sweetness.
- Add mushrooms or butternut squash slices to the skillet for a complete one-pan meal.
- Try sage instead of rosemary for a different herbal note.
- Make it creamy by stirring in ¼ cup heavy cream at the end of cooking.
- Add pearl onions or shallots for extra sweetness.
- Garnish with toasted pecans for added crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Braising & Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with glaze
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
