Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crispy Autumn Slaw Recipe
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.
- 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
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 to 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
