Description

This Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw is a delightful fall-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs glazed with a sticky, sweet apple cider reduction and paired with a refreshing, crunchy slaw made from cabbage, carrots, and tart apple slices. The combination of caramelized chicken and tangy slaw provides a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it an ideal warming meal for autumn.

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 1 cup of apple cider, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 2 cloves of 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 1 tablespoon 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 the chicken 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 the 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: While the chicken cooks, combine shredded green cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced apple in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Drizzle this dressing over the slaw and toss gently to combine. Stir in chopped fresh parsley or chives for freshness and 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

For best flavor, use fresh apple cider rather than processed juice.
Granny Smith apples provide a nice tartness to balance the sweetness of the glaze; other crisp tart apples may also be used.
Ensure the chicken skin is crisp before adding the glaze to achieve texture contrast.
You can substitute fresh thyme or rosemary for parsley/chives to vary the slaw’s herbal notes.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2 days; reheat the chicken gently to maintain glaze texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple cider chicken, sticky chicken, autumn slaw, fall recipes, chicken thighs, crispy chicken skin, apple cider glaze