Although we’re still in summer, fall is just peeking around the corner. Although summer is a great time for delicious barbecue, burgers and hot dogs, fall brings along a whole slew of its own tastes and recipes. Although we can all look forward to pumpkin pie and hot apple cider, we’re still not quite there yet. Regardless, the recipe we have for you today is a nice way to transition into the season.
Today, we’re going to show you how to make a baked chicken and apple dish which has a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors (which is, after all, our speciality). Because chicken is such a mild tasting flavor in the first place, it tends to take on the seasonings and other ingredients around it, giving it all a much richer taste and texture. If you’re looking for a hearty meal that the whole family is sure to love, this one is definitely worth a shot. So let’s get started.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 3 apples, cored and quartered
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 3/4 cup of apple cider
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon of chopped thyme
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Here’s what you do:
1. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray down a 9×13-inch baking pan with some non-stick spray. When that’s done, set a skillet over medium heat and add in two tablespoons of olive oil.
2. Get your chicken thighs ready by seasoning them with a pinch of salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, drop the chicken in with the skin side down, cooking them for four to five minutes until the outside turns golden brown. When the time is up, turn them over and let them cook for another three minutes before moving them into the dish you prepared. If you haven’t already, core and quarter your apples before arranging them on top of the chicken in the baking dish.
3. Using the same skillet, heat up a tablespoon of oil over medium heat and sauté your onions for three to five minutes. When they begin to turn tender, add your garlic and cook for another two minutes. Stir in your apple cider, apple cider vinegar, ginger and thyme as well. After everything is combined, season it with your salt and pepper.
4. Bring that mixture up to a gentle boil before adding maple syrup. Stir everything continuously for three to four minutes so that the sauce starts to thicken up. When it’s ready, pour it over your chicken and apple pan, covering it with aluminum.
5. Once you’re ready, pop the dish in the oven for 15 minutes. After that, take the dish out and take the foil off, spooning more of the sauce in the dish back on top of the chicken. Bake it for another 10 to 15 minutes so that the apples get tender. At the end, sprinkle with some fresh thyme and enjoy!
While it’s still a little bit hot out to go in full-fledged fall mode, this recipe is a nice one to make no matter what time of year it is. The combination of apple flavors with the maple syrup and other spices makes this a complex dish with plenty to enjoy. As always, have fun with the process and tell us what you think!
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