Description
Apple Cider Smothered Chicken is a comforting dish that combines tender chicken with a sweet and tangy apple cider sauce, enriched with aromatic herbs and a silky texture. Perfect for cozy dinners or quick weeknight meals, this recipe offers balanced flavors that will become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts (bone-in or boneless)
Sauce
- 1 cup apple cider (fresh, natural)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
- 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme or rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tbsp cold water (to create slurry)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then brown the chicken on both sides until golden and slightly crisp. This locks in flavor and texture before simmering.
- Sauté Aromatics: Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same pan, add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, building the flavor base for the sauce.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the apple cider and chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Add fresh or dried herbs, then return the chicken to the skillet. Simmer gently until the chicken cooks through and soaks up the apple cider’s sweetness.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix flour or cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the simmering sauce and cook until thickened to desired consistency, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the chicken hot, smothered in the glossy apple cider sauce, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Brown the chicken well for maximum flavor.
- Use fresh, high-quality apple cider for best taste.
- Don’t skip deglazing to capture caramelized bits in the sauce.
- Simmer gently to keep chicken juicy.
- Let chicken rest a few minutes before serving to redistribute juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: apple cider chicken, smothered chicken, comfort food, quick chicken recipe, gluten free chicken
