Description
Glazed Sticky Apple Cider Chicken is a cozy fall skillet dinner with crispy, golden chicken thighs coated in a sweet-tangy apple cider glaze. Whole-grain mustard, shallots, garlic, and thyme build deep savory flavor, while the sauce reduces into a glossy, sticky finish. Pair it with a crisp autumn slaw to cut through the richness for a perfectly balanced bite.
Ingredients
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp neutral oil
3 medium shallots, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups high-quality unfiltered apple cider
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp whole-grain mustard
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
1. Pat chicken thighs dry. Season all over with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down 6–8 minutes until deeply golden and crisp.
3. Flip chicken 1 minute, then transfer to a plate (leave drippings in the pan).
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced shallots and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
5. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Pour in apple cider and apple cider vinegar, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
7. Stir in whole-grain mustard, butter, and thyme sprigs. Bring to a gentle simmer.
8. Return chicken to the skillet skin-side up. Simmer uncovered 20–25 minutes, spooning glaze over chicken occasionally.
9. Continue simmering until sauce is reduced and sticky and chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
10. Remove thyme sprigs. Spoon extra glaze over chicken and serve hot (great with a crisp autumn slaw).
Notes
Use unfiltered apple cider for the best flavor (not apple juice).
For extra-crispy skin, broil the chicken 2–3 minutes at the end (watch closely).
If the glaze gets too thick, add a splash of cider to loosen it.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop to keep the glaze glossy.
Family-safe: No alcohol, no pork.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 140mg