This cider glazed chicken is the perfect fall dinner for a busy weeknight – it only has 6 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes! Chicken thighs are cooked with apples in a sweet and savory sauce for an delicious comfort food meal.
Chicken and apples is a fantastic flavor combination, especially when it’s cooked in a butter and cider sauce. This is one of my favorite fall meals!
Do you remember over the summer when I told you that this salmon was so good that I bumped it to the top of my recipe queue to share with you immediately? This cider glazed chicken is another one of those show stopping must-make recipes. It’s so good that I’ve made it twice in the past week and my picky eaters ate three servings!
How do you make cider glazed chicken?
This recipe only has 6 ingredients and can be made in 30 minutes, but it looks and tastes like you worked on it all day. The chicken gets browned in some butter – when it’s golden and crispy the apple cider gets poured over the top and the pan goes into the oven to roast. While your chicken is roasting it’s time to cook up a pile of sliced apples on the stove. After the chicken pan comes out of the oven, mustard and sage get stirred into the cider drippings and you’re done!
I know what you’re thinking. You’re wondering why the apples can’t be cooked in the same pan as the chicken. You know I’m all about minimizing dishes whenever possible, but if you put the sliced apples in with the chicken they’ll just boil in the cider and get mushy. It’s definitely worth the little bit of extra effort to cook them separately. Also, fresh sage is imperative here. If you don’t have sage you could also use thyme. I tested this recipe with bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and boneless skinless chicken thighs – the bone-in produce a superior result.
My kids are already asking when we’re going to be having “apple chicken” again, and it will definitely be soon. Maybe even tomorrow – because when something is this good and this easy to make, why not eat it all the time?
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More great chicken recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
- Baked Lemon Chicken
Cider Glazed Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided use
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 3/4 cup apple cider + 1 tablespoon divided use
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
- 3 apples cored and thinly sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large skillet melt 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper; cook, skin-side down, until golden, about 8 minutes.
- Turn the chicken, add the cider, then place the pan in the oven and roast for 20 minutes.
- After the pan comes out of the oven transfer the chicken to a plate. Whisk the mustard and sage into the cider drippings; season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- While the chicken is cooking, In another skillet, cook the apples in the remaining butter over medium-high for 5 minutes. Add the remaining tablespoon of apple cider, turn the heat to high and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Season the apples to taste with salt and serve them alongside the chicken.
Calla says
July 1, 2018 at 8:14 pmThis recipe is a total gem. I can’t believe how easy it was to get so much flavor. This is my new go to recipe for Monday nights.
Janelle says
February 18, 2017 at 8:21 pmI am confused. In the comments a number of people have said they used apple cider vinegar. Does the recipe use apple cider or apple cider vinegar? In Australia they are different to each other.
Sara says
February 18, 2017 at 10:45 pmIt uses the drink apple cider, not vinegar
Neyssa says
August 7, 2016 at 9:49 amWow! This looks amazing. Perfect for the upcoming fall apple season. Can not wait! Pinning, saving and making. 🙂
Marilyn says
October 4, 2015 at 6:26 pmSara I am happy to let you know this recipe was featured on #AnythingGoes this week! Please stop by nd pick up your badge. Congratulations! Have a great week.
Sara says
October 4, 2015 at 7:25 pmThanks so much, heading over now! 🙂
Sandy Sandmeyer says
October 4, 2015 at 5:54 pmThis looks like a tasty recipe and apple cider vinegar is so good for you. Thanks for sharing your post at the #AnythingGoes Link Party.
Cathy says
October 3, 2015 at 7:24 pmOh yum! I just found Sunday dinner! Delicious! Thank you, thank you so much for sharing this delicious dish on Making Memories Mondays!! I am so glad that you came!
Cathy
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
September 29, 2015 at 6:37 pmI love using cider with meat, it’s so good! I usually use pork but now I’ll have to try it with chicken 🙂
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
September 29, 2015 at 6:56 amCider-glazed chicken! I LOVE this idea! You always have the best chicken recipes. 😉
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
September 29, 2015 at 5:00 amWe just finished our first gallon of apple cider and thinking I need to get a second just to make this chicken! looks insanely delicious!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
September 28, 2015 at 9:34 pmIsn’t this the perfect fall recipe. I never have tried a cider glaze before but it sounds like something VERY delicious.
Nancy | Plus Ate Six says
September 28, 2015 at 8:47 pmThis is just the sort of cooking that appeals to me! Gorgeous photos too 🙂
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
September 28, 2015 at 6:29 pmThis sounds wonderful, Sara! I’m a huge vinegar fan, and I definitely want to try this! I love how easy it is too!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
September 28, 2015 at 5:58 pmOhhh wow that looks insanely flavorful!! Pinning and trying for sure 😀
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
September 28, 2015 at 2:42 pmOh my gosh! I am ALL about this recipe! 🙂 It is seriously going on my dinner plan for later this week. Looks amazing! 🙂
Barb says
September 28, 2015 at 9:11 amCant wait to try
Paula - bell'alimento says
September 28, 2015 at 6:52 amThat chicken looks amazing. Love the glaze.
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
September 28, 2015 at 4:44 amSuch a gorgeous dish! I love using cider to cook with to add all that fall flavor, can’t wait to make this! Pinning!