Description
Sticky Apple Cider Chicken is a quick and flavorful fall-inspired dinner featuring seared chicken thighs glazed in a sweet-tangy apple cider reduction, served with a crunchy apple cabbage slaw. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s the perfect cozy, balanced meal for weeknights or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine apple cider, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Simmer over medium heat until reduced to a sticky glaze, about 10–12 minutes.
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken skin-side down until golden and crispy, about 5–7 minutes.
- Flip chicken and cook another 5 minutes. Pour glaze over the chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking while spooning glaze over the chicken until sticky and caramelized, about 8–10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, and apple. In a separate bowl, whisk apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Toss dressing with slaw, then stir in parsley or chives.
- Let chicken rest for 3–5 minutes. Serve with slaw and spoon any extra glaze over the top.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before cooking for crispier skin.
- Use unfiltered apple cider for richer flavor.
- Don’t skip the glaze reduction—it should coat a spoon before using.
- Slice apples for slaw just before serving to avoid browning.
- Let chicken rest before slicing to keep juices locked in.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg