Description
Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken is a comforting, rustic dish that brings together woodsy rosemary, crisp Honeycrisp apples, and tangy apple cider. This one-skillet meal features juicy bone-in chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and finished in the oven with caramelized fruit and a glossy, velvet-like pan sauce. It is an effortless, gourmet-feeling meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
4–5 bone-in chicken thighs
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp fresh thyme
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped finely
Salt and pepper to taste
1 red onion, sliced into thin wedges
1–2 Honeycrisp apples, sliced
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear chicken thighs skin-side down until golden brown and crispy, then flip and brown the other side.
Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add the red onion wedges and apple slices to the same skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
Whisk together apple cider, chicken broth, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
Pour the cider mixture into the skillet, deglazing the pan and stirring in the fresh rosemary and thyme.
Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the apples and onions.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Serve warm, spooning the pan sauce and caramelized fruit over the chicken.
Notes
Ensure you use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and moisture. For a deeper flavor profile, try adding a splash of maple syrup to the glaze or include roasted root vegetables alongside the apples. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with fruit and sauce
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg