Description
Warm French cider braised chicken elevates comfort cooking with rich, hearty flavors. Tender poultry nestled among sweet caramelized onions creates a rustic meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Herbs and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
Main Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth for non-alcoholic option)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and heat oven to 400°F, positioning rack in center for even cooking.
- Generously season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then dust lightly with flour, creating a delicate protective coating.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet until smoking hot, add oil, and carefully sear chicken on one side until rich golden-brown crust develops, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Remove chicken from skillet, setting aside while maintaining its crispy exterior.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium, melt butter, and introduce sliced onions, stirring frequently to prevent burning and encourage even caramelization.
- Pour half the apple cider into the skillet, allowing onions to slowly transform into sweet, golden strands over 6-8 minutes.
- Incorporate mushrooms, minced garlic, fragrant thyme, and sage, creating an aromatic base that enhances the dish’s depth of flavor.
- Return seared chicken to skillet, nestling pieces among caramelized vegetables.
- Deglaze pan with remaining cider and white wine, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of skillet.
- Transfer skillet directly into preheated oven, roasting for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches perfect tenderness and sauce reduces slightly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve immediately alongside wild rice or crusty artisan bread to absorb the rich, herbaceous sauce.
Notes
- Flour Coating Trick: Shake off excess flour to prevent burning and achieve a perfectly crisp, golden-brown chicken exterior.
- Caramelization Secret: Stir onions frequently and use medium-low heat to develop rich, sweet flavor without burning.
- Herb Enhancement: Crush dried thyme and sage between fingers before adding to release more intense aromatic oils and boost overall flavor profile.
- Wine Substitution: If avoiding alcohol, replace white wine with additional apple cider or low-sodium chicken broth for similar depth and complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 100mg