Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw Recipe
This Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw recipe offers a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Juicy chicken thighs are seared to crispy perfection and then glazed with a sticky reduction of apple cider, honey, and Dijon mustard. Served alongside a refreshing slaw of cabbage, carrots, and tart apple slices dressed in apple cider vinegar and celery seeds, this dish balances comforting warmth with crisp freshness, perfect for an autumn-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Glaze
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil)
For the Crisp Autumn Slaw
- 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 1 medium apple (preferably Granny Smith), thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces and thickens into a sticky glaze that coats the back of a spoon.
- Cook the chicken: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place them skin side down and sear until the skin is golden and crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Flip the thighs and cook for another 5 minutes until they are almost cooked through.
- Glaze the chicken: Pour the prepared apple cider glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook gently, spooning the glaze over the thighs frequently, until the glaze becomes sticky and caramelized, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Make the crisp autumn slaw: In a large bowl, combine shredded green cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced apple. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Drizzle this dressing over the slaw and toss gently to combine. Stir in chopped fresh parsley or chives for brightness.
- Plate and serve: Arrange the sticky apple cider chicken thighs on plates alongside a generous portion of the crisp autumn slaw. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect harmony of sticky, sweet chicken and refreshing, crunchy slaw.
Notes
- Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs provide the best flavor and texture for this recipe.
- Reduce the glaze slowly to avoid burning and ensure a perfect sticky texture.
- The slaw dressing can be adjusted to taste; add a pinch of sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up extra glaze.
- To ensure even cooking, use a heavy skillet like cast iron.
Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky chicken, autumn slaw, fall recipe, chicken thighs, apple glaze, healthy chicken dinner
