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Four pieces of crispy-skinned French Apple Cider Chicken simmering in a rich sauce with apples and fresh thyme.

French Apple Cider Chicken

This recipe features tender chicken braised in a flavorful apple cider sauce, creating a comforting and delicious meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: French
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup apple cider hard or sweet
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tbsp butter cold, cut into cubes

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season them all over with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs, skin-side down, until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  5. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  7. Stir in the Dijon mustard and thyme leaves.
  8. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up. Bring the liquid to a simmer.
  9. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  10. Remove the skillet from the oven. Stir in the cold butter cubes until melted and the sauce is glossy.
  11. Serve the chicken with the sauce spooned over it.

Notes

This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.