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–+ servings
Delicious French Apple Cider Chicken dish served with herbs and spices

French Apple Cider Chicken

A delightful dish combining savory chicken with the sweet and tangy flavors of apple cider, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine French
Servings 6 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 6 pieces bone-in (skin-on chicken thighs)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 piece apple (thinly sliced, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 cup dry French apple cider (or apple juice with a splash of white wine)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped, optional)
  • Fresh parsley or thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions
 

Preparation and Searing

  • Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
  • Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the chicken, skin side down, and sear until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and brown the other side for another 5 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Cooking the Aromatics

  • In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add minced garlic and stir, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

Adding Apples and Herbs

  • Add sliced apple to the skillet along with thyme and optional rosemary. Stir together for a couple of minutes.

Deglazing

  • Pour apple cider into the skillet, scraping the bottom to release any tasty bits.
  • Then add chicken broth and stir to combine.

Simmering with Chicken

  • Return chicken thighs to the skillet, skin side up.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cover.
  • Cook for about 30 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Finishing the Sauce

  • Remove the chicken from the skillet once it’s cooked.
  • Stir in heavy cream and Dijon mustard, mixing well.
  • Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Serving

  • Place the chicken thighs back in the skillet or on a serving platter.
  • Spoon the sauce over the top and garnish with fresh parsley or thyme sprigs.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in apple cider and herbs for a few hours before cooking. Feel free to use different types of apples to find your preferred flavor. Don't rush the searing process; a good brown color adds depth to the dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 28gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 500mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6g
Keyword Apple Cider Chicken, Autumn Dinner, Comfort Food, Easy Chicken Recipe, French Chicken Recipe
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