Description
This Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken recipe captures the essence of fall with juicy chicken thighs, sweet apple cider, and aromatic herbs like rosemary and thyme. Cooked in one skillet, it’s a hearty, flavorful dinner perfect for cozy nights or festive gatherings. With crispy golden skin, tender apples, and a cider glaze that ties it all together, this dish delivers the perfect sweet-and-savory comfort meal for autumn.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider (not apple juice)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden. Flip and cook for 3 minutes more, then remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and sauté until soft (about 4 minutes). Stir in garlic, rosemary, thyme, and cinnamon; cook for 1 minute more.
- Toss in sliced apples and cook 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Pour in apple cider and scrape up browned bits. Stir in Dijon mustard and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Nestle chicken back into the skillet, skin-side up. Transfer to a 375°F (190°C) oven and bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove from oven, swirl in butter, and spoon sauce over chicken before serving.
Notes
- Always pat chicken dry before searing for extra-crispy skin.
- Use real apple cider, not apple juice, for authentic flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan — sear in batches if needed.
- Add apples after the onions so they stay slightly firm.
- Try substituting pears for a sweet floral variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Fall Recipes, Chicken
- Method: One-Pan, Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 130mg