Chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients that we can cook with. If you’ve ever heard someone say that something else “tastes like chicken,” it’s probably because chicken is a mild-flavored protein that is infinitely flexible when it comes to flavor. It ends up tasting a lot like whatever you cook it with! As always, what you choose for seasoning and how you cook it goes a long way in determining its texture and feel.
Today, we have a one-pan chicken recipe that you probably haven’t made before—but it’s sure to become a staple in your household. The recipe we’re making is for apple cider braised chicken, a sweet and tangy dish that results in fall-off-the-bone tender meat. If you’ve never tried cooking chicken with apple flavors before, this dish is sure to be a pleasant surprise! So let’s get started.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 pounds of chicken thighs (bone-in)
- 2 apples, cored and quartered (Golden Delicious)
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon of fennel seed
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups of apple cider
- 1/2 to 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Here’s what you do:
1. First, pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a large skillet set on medium-high. Get out your chicken thighs and season them on both sides with your salt and pepper before adding them to the pan. Let the meat sear for four to five minutes on each side so that the skin turns golden. When all the meat is done, transfer it to a plate and set it aside.
2. Next, add your other tablespoon of oil to the pan and turn the heat down to medium. Make sure your apples and onions are chopped before adding those to the pan, along with your fennel seed. Let the entire thing cook for three to five minutes, until the onions begin to get soft and tender.
3. At this stage, add in your apple cider along with half a cup of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for another five minutes before turning the heat down to low.
4. After that, get your seared chicken thighs and add them back into the skillet. Depending on the depth of the pan, you may also need to add up to another half cup of chicken broth to the mix, to make sure the chicken is at least half-covered in liquid. When that’s done, cover the skillet and let it simmer for 45 to 50 minutes.
5. At the end, remove the cover and check to make sure your chicken is cooked all the way through and that the internal temperature is at 165 degrees or higher. If everything looks good, serve it up hot and top it with your apple and onion sauce!
Although the ingredients in this recipe are easy enough to combine, the resulting flavor is unique and fragrant. The meat will be perfectly tender, infused with the sweet and tangy flavors of the apples! Although it take a little longer than simply sautéing it all on a high heat, the wait is definitely worth it. As always, have fun with this recipe and let us know what you think.
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