Description
This Sticky Apple Cider Chicken with Crisp Autumn Slaw is a warm, cozy fall-inspired dish featuring tender, caramelized chicken glazed in apple cider and honey, paired with a crunchy, refreshing slaw. A perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors—quick enough for weeknights but special enough for guests.
Ingredients
Chicken
6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
1 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon cooking oil
Crisp Autumn Slaw
2 cups green cabbage, shredded
1 cup carrots, shredded
1 medium apple (Granny Smith), thinly sliced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine apple cider, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a thick, sticky glaze.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
Sear chicken skin-side down until golden and crisp, 5–7 minutes. Flip and cook another 5 minutes.
Pour the apple cider glaze over the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and spoon glaze over the thighs until sticky and caramelized.
In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, and apple.
In a separate bowl, whisk apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Pour over slaw and toss. Add parsley or chives.
Serve the sticky apple cider chicken alongside a generous portion of the crisp autumn slaw.
Notes
Use boneless thighs or chicken breasts if preferred, but reduce the cooking time.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze for heat.
Slaw can be prepped ahead, but wait to dress it until serving to maintain crunch.
If the glaze becomes too thick, whisk in a splash of apple cider to loosen it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Chicken
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh + slaw
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 140mg