Easy Apple Cider Chicken Recipe

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This apple cider chicken blends the sweetness of apple cider with savory spices into a delicious glaze. This glaze caramelizes to form a glossy, wonderfully sticky coating on the chicken! It's sure to be one the whole family will love and I'm sure it that will go into your regular rotation.

Overhead shot of cast-iron skillet full of sweet balsamic apple cider chicken.

This apple glazed chicken recipe begins with searing the chicken in a skillet to lock in its natural flavors. Once the chicken has been seared, the glaze simmers and reduces.

As the glaze thickens, the chicken is returned to the skillet, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors and coat the chicken with a shiny, delicious caramelized layer. Each bite of this apple chicken is divine!!

If you love this chicken recipe, you've got to try this apricot chicken recipe, this molasses glazed chicken, and orange glazed chicken.

Why You Will Love Apple Cider Glazed Chicken

Great Flavor. If you're looking for a chicken recipe guaranteed to burst with flavor, this is it! You will love the irresistible sweet and tangy taste in every bite.
Perfectly Cooked Chicken. You chicken cooks up super moist and tender.
Easy Recipe. Made with minimal ingredients and simple steps, makes this chicken recipe perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Great Meal For Guests. While it's perfect for family dinner, it's impressive enough for serving guests.

Ingredients

You'll only need a few basic ingredients to make this delicious recipe, and you'll find them all at your local grocery store. Be sure to check the recipe card at the end of the post for exact amounts.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: My favorite for making this dish but you can use any neutral flavored oil.
Chicken: The recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs which stay super moist when cooked. You can also use chicken breasts, or even chicken with bones but they will need to cook longer.
Spices: A combination of thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika add more complex flavor to the dish.
Unsalted Butter: Adds a bit of richness to the glaze. Use salted butter if necessary and simply adjust the additional salt added.
Apple Cider: Apple cider is less processed than apple juice and works best to infuse the glaze with big apple flavor but if you can't find it, apple juice is the best alternative.
Dijon Mustard: Make sure to use dijon for the best flavor.
Optional ingredients: You can add some balsamic vinegar for more depth of flavor, red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat, or honey for a sweeter glaze.

Variations

Apple Slices: Add 1 or 2 cored, peeled, and sliced or diced apples to the chicken as it cooks for an extra burst of apple flavor. Granny Smith is the perfect choice.
Soy sauce: Add a tablespoon of soy sauce to the glaze for a savory, umami touch.
Cornstarch: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove some sauce into a small glass and add 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch, stir until blended, and return mixture to skillet to thicken the glaze.
Apple Cider Vinegar: If you find the glaze too sweet or want a more tart finish, add a splash of apple cider vinegar.
Spicy: Add a bit of our jalapeno powder or chipotle powder to the apple mixture for a bit of heat. You can also serve up our homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well.

How to Make Apple Cider Chicken

This recipe comes together much more quickly and easily than you might think. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. The highlights are here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Combine all the spices together in a small bowl.
Coat the chicken with the spices.

Overhead shot of seasonings mixed in bowl.

Overhead shot of chicken thighs coated in seasoning.

Add the chicken to the skillet and cook on both sides until golden brown and cooked through.

Overhead shot of chicken thighs cooking in skillet.

Chicken cooking in a skillet on the other side with the browned surface facing up.

Add the butter and cook the garlic.
Add the apple cider and dijon mustard to the skillet and cook to reduces.

Overhead shot of garlic being cooked in skillet.

Overhead shot of skillet with garlic, apple cider vinegar, and dijon mustard.

Return the chicken to the skillet and cook until it's heated through.

⭐️ Hint: Keep an eye on glaze during cooking. You can add more apple cider if it's too thick or if it's too thin, remove a few spoonfuls of sauce into a small bowl and blend it with a teaspoon of cornstarch. Then add it back to the skillet and cook a bit longer to thicken.

Overhead shot of sweet balsamic apple glaze chicken with spoon in skillet.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our baked chicken thighs in cast iron skillet.

Storage

Refrigerator: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Place cooled chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheat: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and reheat the chicken for 15-20 minutes and heated through.

What to Serve with Apple Cider Glazed Chicken

Here are some side dish suggestions that pair well with this wonderful chicken recipe:

A simple mixed greens salad works as a side or chop up leftover chicken and serve on top for a tasty treat.
Your favorite rice or quinoa can absorb the delightful flavors and juices from the chicken and be a wonderful addition.
Sweet green beans, brussels sprouts, one of our favorite carrot recipes, or one of these best corn side dishes.
Sweet potatoes are a great pairing for apple cider glazed chicken, as their natural sweetness will accentuate the apple flavors in the dish. Serve some candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, smoked sweet potatoes, or our sweet potato sheet pan.

Still not sure what you want to serve to create the perfect meal? Try one of these sides for chicken! There's lots of different options to explore!

A spoon drizzling some of the glaze up over the chicken.

Tips

Don't forget to season the chicken with the spices, salt, and pepper before cooking to enhance the overall taste of the dish.
Cook the chicken on medium heat to ensure it cooks evenly without burning the glaze.
Use a thermometer to check if the chicken is fully cooked. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh to confirm an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Flip the chicken thighs multiple times during cooking for an evenly glazed, beautifully caramelized finish.
Watch the glaze during cooking and adjust as necessary by adding more apple cider if it's too thick or a touch of cornstarch if it's too thin.
Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to settle and keep the meat tender and juicy.

FAQ

Can I prepare apple cider glazed chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Coat with cooking spray, add the chicken and all the other ingredients, and allow the chicken to cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Make sure to occasionally baste the chicken with the sauce during the cooking process for a flavorful and juicy result.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of apple cider?

It is not recommended to use apple cider vinegar as a direct substitute for apple cider in this recipe, as it has a much stronger and tangier flavor. If you must substitute, consider diluting the vinegar with water or apple juice to reduce its tartness.

What chicken is best for this recipe?

Chicken breasts or thighs both work equally well.

Half a skillet of apple chicken on the table with a piece of chicken scooped up by a spoon.

Video for Apple Glazed Chicken

We do have a video below just in case you want to see these chicken breasts being made!

More Chicken Recipes

If this chicken dish isn't for you I have some others below you just might want to have a look at. You can never have too many chicken recipes. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as we do!

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.