Description
This Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken recipe offers a comforting and flavorful fall dinner. Juicy, pan-seared chicken thighs are baked in a rich sauce made with apple cider, rosemary, thyme, and cinnamon, complemented by tender, slightly softened apples. It’s a one-skillet wonder that balances sweet and savory notes, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider (not apple juice)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden. Flip and cook for 3 minutes more, then remove and set aside.
- Cook aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and sauté until soft (about 4 minutes). Stir in garlic, rosemary, thyme, and cinnamon; cook for 1 minute more.
- Add apples: Toss in sliced apples and cook 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Deglaze: Pour in apple cider and scrape up browned bits. Stir in Dijon mustard and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Combine and bake: Nestle chicken back into the skillet, skin-side up. Transfer to a 375°F (190°C) oven and bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Finish the sauce: Remove from oven, swirl in butter, and spoon sauce over chicken before serving.
Notes
- Always pat chicken dry before searing for extra-crispy skin.
- Use real apple cider, not apple juice, for authentic flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan — sear in batches if needed.
- Add apples after the onions so they stay slightly firm.
- Try substituting pears for a sweet floral variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Fall Recipes, Chicken
- Method: One-Pan, Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 130mg