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Apple Cider Pork Chops

These apple cider pork chops are juicy and flavorful because they’re marinated in hard apple cider and garlic. An easy & impressive dinner!

apple cider pork chops in a skillet with garlic and hard apple cider

This amazing apple cider pork chops recipe is sponsored by Cider Boys. All thoughts and opinions remain my own. Thanks for supporting the growth of Miss AK!

Apple cider is easily one of my favorite things about the colder months. When I was little, we’d heat some over the stove with mulling spices, and now that I’m an adult, I love a good hard apple cider. It’s more refreshing than a beer!

When I came across Cider Boys First Press Apple Cider, I was in love. It’s crisp and tart, and not too sweet. The first press is my favorite because it’s so fresh.

pork chops in a skillet with garlic on a wood table

I made this apple cider chicken a few weeks ago and I’ve been getting so many messages from readers and friends telling me they’ve made it…and it has rave reviews.

So, I thought for another easy, throw together but delicious meal, I’d give apple cider porks chops a go! And boy, am I glad I did.

pouring hard apple cider on pork chops to mariante

What’s in the apple cider marinade recipe?

This is what I love about this recipe…the simple ingredients! Go grab some Cider Boys Hard Apple Cider and pork chops and you’ll have everything else on hand! Here’s what you need:

uncooked pork chops in a skillet with garlic

How do you cook apple cider pork chops?

The easiest way to make these is to pan sear them in a skillet. I always use my cast iron pan, so use that if you can.

I cook the chops for about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. According to the national pork board, you can now cook pork to 145F for it to be safe, or you can go to 160F if you prefer. Enjoy!

pork chops in a skillet with garlic and hard apple cider

Need more easy dinner ideas? Try my best beer chili!

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pork chops in a skillet with garlic on a wood table

Apple Cider Pork Chops

These apple cider pork chops are juicy and flavorful because they’re marinated in hard apple cider and garlic. An easy & impressive dinner!

  • Author: Miss AK
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes + 1 hour marinating time
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes 1 hour marinating time
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 lbs. pork chops (the thicker the better!)
  • 12 oz. Cider Boys First Press Hard Cider (or any Cider Boys all apple-flavored cider)
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed and roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper

Instructions

  1. Add the pork chops, 10 oz. of the hard cider, olive oil, honey, garlic cloves, salt and pepper to a large bowl with a lid or zip-top bag. Marinate in the fridge for at least one hour or up to overnight.
  2. When you’re ready to cook the pork, remove it from the fridge and let it come to almost room temperature on the counter before cooking it. This helps is cook more evenly and stay tender.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, remove the pork chops from the mariade, letting the excess drip off them, but don’t rinse them or wipe the marinade off.
  4.  Lay the pork chops in the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches about 160F.
  5. Turn the burner off and add the remaining 2 oz. of hard cider to the pan to deglaze it and provide some liquid for serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chop
  • Calories: 456
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 682 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 113 mg

Keywords: pork, pork chop, cider, apple cider, hard cider

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.

braised apple cider chicken thighs in a dutch oven with golden raisins, thyme, and onions

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.

braised apple cider chicken thigh in a dutch oven with golden raisins, thyme, and onions

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.

seared chicken thighs on a white plate

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

apple cider, onion, and golden raisins in a dutch oven

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.

chicken thighs in a dutch oven with thyme

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 🙂

braised apple cider chicken thighs in a dutch oven with golden raisins, thyme, and onions

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

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braised apple cider chicken thighs in a dutch oven with golden raisins, thyme, and onions

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
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 review
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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

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

Keywords: chicken, chicken thighs, apple, apple cider, dinner, main

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