Easy Apple Cider Chicken Recipe

Name: Easy Apple Cider Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 bone-in chicken thighs; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/2 sweet onion, small-diced; 1 1/3 cup apple cider; 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1 apple, thinly sliced

This sweet and savory Apple Cider Chicken is the ultimate fall comfort food that’s ready in just 40 minutes! Tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich, caramelized apple cider glaze with fresh apple slices create a mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The combination of tangy apple cider, warm spices, and juicy chicken makes this a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The sweet apple cider glaze with savory spices creates an irresistible combination that coats each bite of chicken.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and seasonal ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, from stovetop to oven, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Restaurant-Quality Results: Looks and tastes impressive enough for guests, but easy enough for a Monday night dinner.
Versatile: Pairs beautifully with so many different side dishes, from mashed potatoes to rice to roasted vegetables.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Bone-in chicken thighs: Provides the best flavor and remains juicy throughout cooking. The bone helps conduct heat evenly and adds richness to the dish.
Seasoning blend: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika create a perfect foundation of flavor that complements the sweet cider glaze.
Vegetable oil: Used for searing the chicken to create that irresistible crispy skin. Any neutral oil works here.
Sweet onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic base that melts into the sauce. The small dice ensures they cook quickly.
Apple cider: The star ingredient! Brings a sweet tanginess and quintessential fall flavor. It reduces down to create the most incredible glaze.
Brown sugar: Works with the cider to create caramelization and depth. The molasses notes complement the apple flavors beautifully.
Soy sauce: Adds that umami factor and balances the sweetness with its savory depth.
Worcestershire sauce: Brings complexity and a hint of tanginess that rounds out all the other flavors.
Dijon mustard: Provides a subtle sharpness that cuts through the richness and helps emulsify the sauce.
Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and warmth to the dish. Fresh minced garlic is key here.
Fresh apple: Sliced thinly and added near the end, these bites of fruit add texture and fresh apple flavor that echoes the cider.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious twists on this recipe:

Herbal Touch: Add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme to the sauce while it simmers.
Spiced Version: Add a cinnamon stick and a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce for more warm fall spices.
Boneless Option: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs and reduce the baking time by about 5 minutes.
White Meat Substitute: Replace thighs with chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them.
Boozy Upgrade: Add a splash of bourbon or brandy to the sauce for an adult version with incredible depth.

How to Make Apple Cider Chicken

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, toss the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until evenly coated on all sides. Make sure to get the seasoning under the skin for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear until the skin is deeply golden and crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Flip and sear the other side until nicely browned. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Base

Add diced onions to the same pan with all those flavorful drippings. Cook until they become translucent and start to soften, stirring occasionally to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Make the Glaze

Pour in the apple cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Stir everything together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly and the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Add Apples and Chicken

Arrange the thinly sliced apples in the pan and nestle the seared chicken thighs on top, skin side up. Spoon some of the glaze over the chicken to ensure it’s well-coated.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The glaze will continue to thicken and caramelize during this time.

Step 7: Serve

Once done, remove from the oven and spoon more of that delicious glaze over the chicken before serving. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Use a cast iron skillet if you have one – it creates the best sear and transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven.
Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure you get that crispy, golden skin.
Don’t rush the searing process – those extra minutes creating a good crust translate to better flavor in the finished dish.
Check your ingredient labels – make sure you’re using apple cider, not apple cider vinegar, which would make your dish too sour.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the juices to redistribute.
Adjust the sweetness by using more or less brown sugar depending on the natural sweetness of your apple cider.

How to Serve

This Apple Cider Chicken creates its own delicious sauce, making it perfect served over:

Starchy Sides:

Mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or wild rice all make excellent beds for the chicken and catch every drop of that amazing glaze.

Vegetable Pairings:

Brussels sprouts, green beans, or a simple arugula salad balance the sweetness of the dish with their slight bitterness.

Bread Options:

Crusty bread or homemade biscuits are perfect for sopping up the remaining sauce – you won’t want to waste a drop!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop, making this dish sometimes even better the next day!

Freezing

While you can freeze this dish for up to 3 months, the texture of the apples may change upon thawing. For best results, freeze just the chicken and sauce, then add fresh apple slices when reheating.

Reheating

Gently warm leftovers in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave portions until heated through, though the skin won’t stay as crispy.

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Yes, you can substitute apple juice, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich and complex. If using apple juice, you might want to reduce the brown sugar slightly since juice tends to be sweeter than cider.

What kind of apples work best in this recipe?

Firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Granny Smith hold their shape during cooking and provide a nice contrast to the sweet sauce. Avoid softer varieties like McIntosh that might turn mushy.

Can I make this recipe with chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts work well, though you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. For boneless breasts, reduce the oven time to about 10 minutes, or until they reach 165°F internally.

My sauce isn’t thickening properly. What can I do?

If your sauce is too thin after baking, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for a few more minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can make a slurry with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water, then stir it into the hot sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cider Chicken is one of those magical recipes that transforms simple ingredients into something truly special. The combination of crispy-skinned chicken with that sweet-savory glaze and tender apple slices captures everything wonderful about comfort food. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and brings everyone running to the table. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a casual dinner with friends, give this recipe a try – I’m confident it will earn a permanent spot in your cooking repertoire!