Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw Recipe
A deliciously sticky apple cider chicken with golden, crispy skin, glazed in a sweet and tangy apple cider reduction, paired perfectly with a crisp autumn slaw featuring fresh cabbage, carrots, and Granny Smith apple for a refreshing contrast. This dish combines savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with a satisfying texture balance, ideal for a comforting fall meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- 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 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, about 10-15 minutes.
- 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, about 5-7 minutes more.
- 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
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best texture and flavor in this recipe.
- Adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less honey according to taste.
- The Granny Smith apple adds crunch and tartness; substitute with another crisp apple if desired.
- Be careful not to burn the glaze; cook it gently on medium-low heat when glazing the chicken.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes into the glaze or slaw dressing.
Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky glaze chicken, autumn slaw, fall recipes, skillet chicken, easy chicken dinner, apple recipes
