Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Autumn Slaw Recipe
A comforting and flavorful Sticky Apple Cider Chicken served with a fresh and crunchy Autumn Apple Slaw. The chicken is seared and then baked in a sticky, sweet-tart apple cider and honey sauce, making it tender and juicy. The vibrant slaw complements the dish perfectly with a mix of apples, celery, carrot, and red onion tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup apple cider
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
Autumn Apple Slaw
- 2 apples, cut into matchsticks
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 1 large carrot, peeled and finely grated
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Season the Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken thighs evenly on all sides with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to infuse flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 2 to 3 minutes until deeply golden on one side, then flip and sear the other side for similar color and texture.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider, honey, and water. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the chicken, allowing it to bubble and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to reduce slightly and coat the chicken.
- Bake the Chicken: Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake the chicken for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. After baking, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
- Prepare the Autumn Slaw: In a large bowl, combine the matchstick apples, diced celery, diced red onion, and finely grated carrot. Toss gently with a pinch of salt and pepper to season.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and another pinch of salt and pepper until smooth and combined.
- Toss the Slaw: Pour the dressing over the apple-vegetable mixture and toss well until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve: Spoon the sticky apple cider sauce over the sliced chicken and serve immediately alongside the fresh autumn slaw for a balanced, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet to sear and bake the chicken for best results and easy transfer to the oven.
- Resting the chicken after baking ensures it stays juicy and tender when sliced.
- Adjust the sweetness of the slaw dressing by adding more or less honey according to taste.
- For extra crunch in the slaw, consider adding toasted walnuts or pecans.
- Ensure the chicken thighs are of uniform thickness for even cooking.
Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky chicken, autumn slaw, apple slaw, baked chicken thighs, fall recipes, easy dinner, healthy chicken dinner
