Description
This Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken recipe features juicy bone-in chicken thighs seasoned with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, seared to perfection, and baked alongside sweet honeycrisp apples and red onions. Finished with a rich, tangy sauce made from apple cider, Dijon mustard, and garlic, this dish combines savory and sweet flavors for an irresistible, comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4–5 Bone-In Chicken Thighs
- 2 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Fresh Thyme
- 2 tbsp Fresh Rosemary, chopped
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Olive Oil, for searing
Vegetables and Fruits
- 1 Red Onion, sliced
- 1–2 Honeycrisp Apples, sliced
Sauce
- 4 tbsp Salted Butter
- 3/4 cup Apple Cider
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth or White Wine
- 2 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Generously season the bone-in chicken thighs with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a hot, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides until they develop a golden brown crust, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step locks in flavor and juices.
- Add Apples and Onions: Arrange the sliced red onion and honeycrisp apples around the seared chicken in the skillet, distributing evenly.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove and Prepare Sauce: Carefully remove the chicken, apples, and onions from the skillet and set aside. Place the skillet back on the stovetop over medium heat and add the salted butter, apple cider, chicken broth or white wine, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic to the pan.
- Thicken the Sauce: Whisk the sauce ingredients together and cook until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. This will create a rich and flavorful glaze.
- Combine and Serve: Return the chicken, apples, and onions to the skillet. Spoon the thickened sauce generously over the chicken. Serve immediately, enjoying the beautiful balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Notes
- Bone-in chicken thighs are preferred for juicier, more flavorful meat.
- Use honeycrisp apples for a sweet and tart contrast; Granny Smith can also work but will be more tart.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken in a regular skillet and transfer to a baking dish for oven cooking.
- White wine adds complexity to the sauce, but chicken broth is a good non-alcoholic substitute.
- Be careful when transferring the hot skillet from stove to oven using oven mitts.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken to ensure it is cooked safely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Rosemary Chicken, Apple Cider Chicken, Baked Chicken Thighs, Apple and Onion Chicken, Fall Chicken Recipe, Savory Sweet Chicken
