Braised Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

These Apple Cider Chicken Thighs are braised in a delicious apple cider sauce. They’re tender and the sauce makes a delicious glaze.

Can you think of anything that screams fall dinner more than apple cider chicken? I’m talking succulent & juicy chicken thighs in a bright, apple cider glaze/sauce with caramelized onions, golden raisins, and thyme. It is divine friends.

I feel like now I have your attention, haha! This recipe actually took me longer to create than I originally planned. It took me a bit to balance out the sweetness, get some viscosity in the sauce and create the texture in the chicken thighs that I was looking for.

Sometimes, recipes come together in a flash for me, like this tomato galette, and sometimes they take me forever. Muffins and quick breads always take me a long time to create, so you should absolutely check out this gluten-free & healthy pumpkin bread recipe that took me 2 years to figure out.

But ever since I got this chicken thigh recipe right, It’s been an addiction I tell you. It’s all I crave on a cozy night in which is great because I make it a habit to keep chicken thighs in the freezer. I usually buy a big pack when they’re on sale for when I’m in a pinch.

But enough about me and my chicken thigh habits, on to this recipe!

What’s in the apple cider glaze

The secret to this glaze/ braising sauce is apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegar. The apple cider vinegar reinforces the apple flavor and the white wine balances out the flavors. They both add a needed tartness to tone down on the sweet of the apple cider.

Caramelized onions add a rich flavor and texture, golden raisins lend thickness and a pop of sweet and the thyme gives the whole dish a brightness that I just ADORE.

What kind of thighs should you use for apple cider chicken

After testing this recipe a bajillion times, I’ve decided that bone-in, skin-on thighs work best. Without the skin, the chicken breaks down more in the braising sauce and you lose that sear quality that I love so much. Of course, you can use whatever kind of chicken you like & the recipe will still work, but don’t say I didn’t tell you so 🙂

Need the perfect chicken wing recipe? Try my Sweet & Spicy Asian Air Fryer Wings!

Braised Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

These Apple Cider Chicken Thighs are braised in a delicious apple cider sauce. They’re tender and the sauce makes a delicious glaze.

• Author: Miss AK
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 1x
• Category: Main
• Method: Braising
• Cuisine: American

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Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs*
• 1 onion, sliced 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/8 tsp. smoked paprika*
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• fresh thyme

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400F. 
2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium high heat. 
3. Sear the chicken thighs on each side until they’re golden brown and set them aside on a plate one browned. You may have to work in batches. 
4. When the thighs have been seared and removed turn the heat to medium. Add the onions to the skillet or Dutch oven and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and soft. Add the garlic, pepper and smoked paprika and cook for 2 additional minutes. 
5. Deglaze the pan with the vinegar and add the apple cider. Add the golden raisins and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook down for about 5 minutes and add the chicken thighs back into the skillet/Dutch oven. Lay fresh thyme leaves on top of the chicken. 
6. Slide everything, uncovered, into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken has reached 165F internally. 
7. Remove the chicken from the oven and spoon the cider mixture over the thighs before serving. 

Notes

• boneless, skinless thighs will work, but you won’t get the same delicious sear. 
• you can use regular paprika, but smoked gives more flavor. 

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 thigh
• Calories: 406
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 632 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 238 mg