Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw Recipe
A delicious and vibrant dish featuring succulent chicken thighs glazed with a sticky, sweet apple cider reduction, paired with a crisp and tangy autumn slaw made from fresh cabbage, carrots, and sliced apple. Perfect for a cozy dinner that balances rich flavors with refreshing crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sticky Apple Cider Chicken
- 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 into a sticky glaze that coats the back of a spoon.
- Cook the chicken: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place them skin side down and sear until the skin is golden and crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until chicken is almost cooked through.
- Glaze the chicken: Pour the prepared apple cider glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook gently, spooning the glaze over the thighs frequently, until the glaze becomes sticky and caramelized, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Make the crisp autumn slaw: While the chicken cooks, combine shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced apple in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Drizzle this dressing over the slaw and toss gently to combine. Stir in chopped fresh parsley or chives for brightness.
- Plate and serve: Arrange the sticky apple cider chicken thighs on plates alongside a generous portion of the crisp autumn slaw. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect harmony of sticky, sweet chicken and refreshing, crunchy slaw.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken drumsticks if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in salt and pepper for 30 minutes before cooking.
- The slaw can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated, but toss and add fresh parsley just before serving to maintain freshness.
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast, or substitute with Fuji or Honeycrisp for a sweeter touch.
- If glaze becomes too thick, add a splash of apple cider to loosen it while cooking.
Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky chicken thighs, autumn slaw, crisp cabbage slaw, fall recipes, healthy chicken dinner, sweet and savory chicken
