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Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken

Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken features golden chicken thighs baked with apples, red onion, and fresh rosemary.
A buttery apple cider, Dijon, and garlic sauce brings everything together.
Serve this easy one-pan chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 4 –5 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 red onion sliced
  • 1 –2 Honeycrisp apples sliced
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 3/4 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 cloves garlic finely diced
  • 2 –3 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season them with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, fresh thyme, chopped rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
  • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
  • Once the pan is hot, add the chicken thighs skin-side down if using skin-on thighs. Sear for about 3–4 minutes per side, or until nicely golden.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat. Arrange the sliced red onion and Honeycrisp apples around the chicken. Add the rosemary sprigs.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  • Carefully remove the chicken and apples from the skillet and set them aside.
  • Place the skillet over medium-low heat. Add the butter, apple cider, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and diced garlic.
  • Whisk the sauce periodically as it gently simmers and cooks down until slightly thickened.
  • Return the chicken and apples to the skillet. Spoon the warm apple cider sauce over the chicken and garnish with additional rosemary. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a slightly sweeter sauce, add a small drizzle of honey while the cider reduces. For extra savory depth, add a little more Dijon mustard.
Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the apple cider pan sauce.