Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Autumn Slaw Recipe
Sticky Apple Cider Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring succulent chicken thighs glazed in a sweet and tangy apple cider reduction. Paired with a crisp autumn slaw of cabbage, carrots, and apple tossed in a fresh apple cider vinegar dressing, this recipe balances rich and refreshing flavors perfect for a cozy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
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 apple cider, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces and thickens into a sticky glaze that can coat the back of a spoon.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 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 becomes 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 heat to medium-low and cook gently, spooning the glaze over the thighs frequently until it becomes sticky and caramelized, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Make the crisp autumn slaw: While the chicken cooks, combine shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced apple in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the slaw and toss gently to combine. Stir in chopped fresh parsley or chives for brightness.
- Plate and serve: Arrange the glazed 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
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture.
- Granny Smith apples provide a nice tart crunch, but you can substitute with any firm apple variety.
- Carefully spoon the glaze over the chicken to ensure an even, sticky coating without burning.
- For extra crisp skin, avoid overcrowding the skillet when searing the chicken.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious glaze.
Keywords: Sticky Apple Cider Chicken, Autumn Chicken Recipe, Apple Cider Glaze, Crispy Chicken Thighs, Autumn Slaw, Apple Cabbage Slaw
