Description
Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs feature tender boneless skinless chicken thighs seared to perfection, then slowly cooked in a savory and slightly sweet apple cider sauce with caramelized onions, garlic, and fragrant herbs. This comforting dish balances sweet and savory flavors and is perfect for an elegant dinner or cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, fat trimmed
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp oil
- 3 tbsp butter
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 apple, cut into wedges
Liquids and Thickener
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp flour or corn starch
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Season the chicken thighs with dried thyme, dried sage, salt, and black pepper on all sides to ensure even flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear for 5-7 minutes until the underside is golden brown. Flip the chicken and sear the other side for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside; it will finish cooking in the oven.
- Caramelize Onions: Add butter and the sliced onions to the skillet. Sauté, stirring every 1-2 minutes, until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. If the onions begin to dry out or burn, add a splash of chicken broth or white wine to deglaze the pan.
- Add Garlic and Liquids: Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour or corn starch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a smooth slurry. Whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Braise in Oven: Return the chicken thighs to the pan and nestle the apple wedges around them. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 185°F and the apples are tender.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to allow seamless transfer from stovetop to oven for even cooking.
- If you do not have apple cider, substitute with apple juice or add a splash of white wine for acidity.
- To thicken the sauce without flour or corn starch, reduce the sauce further by simmering longer before adding chicken back.
- Chicken thighs can be bone-in, but increase baking time by 5-10 minutes to ensure doneness.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
