Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crispy Autumn Slaw Recipe

Introduction

Sticky Apple Cider Chicken is a delightful dish where tender chicken thighs are glazed with a sweet and tangy apple cider sauce. Paired with a crisp, refreshing autumn slaw, it’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures ideal for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

• 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)
• 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

1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine the 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 coats the back of a spoon.
2. Step 2: Heat the 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 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes until nearly cooked through.
3. Step 3: 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, fully coating the chicken.
4. Step 4: While the chicken cooks, combine shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and thin apple slices in a large bowl. In a separate 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 parsley or chives for freshness.
5. Step 5: Arrange the sticky chicken thighs on plates alongside a generous serving of the autumn slaw. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of sticky, sweet chicken and crisp, tangy slaw.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the chicken seasoning before searing.
• Swap out the Granny Smith apple for Fuji or Honeycrisp for a sweeter slaw.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts as a leaner alternative, adjusting cook times accordingly.
• For a spicier glaze, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the apple cider mixture while simmering.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or oven to maintain the glaze’s texture. Keep the slaw separate and fresh; toss again before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Yes, apple juice can be used as a substitute, but apple cider has a richer, spiced flavor that enhances the glaze.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear. The skin should be crisp and golden.

Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crispy Autumn Slaw Recipe

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Sticky Apple Cider Chicken features tender, crispy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and tangy apple cider reduction. Paired with a refreshing crisp autumn slaw of shredded cabbage, carrots, and apples dressed with a zesty apple cider vinegar dressing, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, ideal for a cozy meal any time of the year.

• Author: Victoria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1. 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 to a sticky glaze that can coat the back of a spoon.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place chicken skin side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes until mostly cooked through.
3. Glaze the chicken: Pour the prepared apple cider glaze over the chicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Spoon the glaze over the chicken frequently as it cooks gently, allowing the glaze to caramelize and coat the chicken beautifully.
4. Make the crisp autumn slaw: While the chicken cooks, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, and sliced apple in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. Drizzle it over the slaw and toss gently. Stir in chopped parsley or chives for freshness.
5. Plate and serve: Arrange the sticky apple cider chicken thighs on plates beside a generous portion of the crisp autumn slaw. Serve immediately for a delightful combination of sticky, sweet chicken and refreshing, crunchy slaw.

Notes

• For best results, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for juiciness and crisp skin.
• Granny Smith apples are preferred for the slaw due to their tartness which balances the sweetness of the glaze.
• You can adjust the honey amount in the glaze to control the sweetness level.
• Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes to soak up the sticky glaze if desired.
• The slaw can be made ahead and kept chilled for up to 2 hours before serving to enhance flavors.

Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky chicken, autumn slaw, fall recipes, chicken thighs, cabbage slaw, easy dinner, sweet and tangy chicken