Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw Recipe
This Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw is a delightful fall-inspired dish featuring juicy, bone-in chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and tangy apple cider reduction. Paired with a fresh, crunchy slaw made from shredded cabbage, carrots, and crisp apple slices, this recipe balances savory and sweet flavors, perfect for a comforting yet light meal on a cool day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
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 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 5-7 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the chicken is 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 it becomes sticky and caramelized, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Make the crisp autumn slaw: While the chicken cooks, in a large bowl combine shredded 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 a burst of 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 balance of sticky, sweet chicken and refreshing crunchy slaw.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture.
- If apple cider is not available, unfiltered apple juice can be a substitute.
- For extra crisp skin, avoid moving the chicken thighs during the initial searing phase.
- The slaw can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or chives add brightness, but cilantro can be used as an alternative.
Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky chicken, autumn slaw, healthy chicken recipe, fall recipes, easy chicken thighs, gluten free chicken, apple cider glaze
