Ingredients:
For 4 servings:
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4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts, but thighs are more flavorful)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 tablespoon butter
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1 small onion, thinly sliced
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 cup apple cider (not apple cider vinegar!)
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½ cup chicken broth
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2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
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2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
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1 apple, sliced (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji work well)
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Optional: 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (for extra depth)
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Optional: Splash of cream (for a creamy finish)
🧑🍳 Instructions:
1. Prep the Chicken:
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Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
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Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Sear the Chicken:
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Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add chicken skin-side down and sear for about 4–5 minutes until golden brown.
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Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes.
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Remove chicken and set aside (it will finish cooking later).
3. Sauté Aromatics:
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In the same pan, reduce heat to medium.
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Add onions and cook 2–3 minutes until soft.
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Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Deglaze & Make the Sauce:
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Pour in apple cider and chicken broth, scraping up browned bits.
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Stir in Dijon mustard, rosemary, and apple slices.
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(Optional: add apple cider vinegar for tang or a splash of cream at the end for richness.)
5. Simmer & Cook Chicken:
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Return chicken to the skillet, skin-side up.
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Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp).
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For a crispy finish, uncover and broil in the oven for 2–3 minutes at the end.
🍽️ To Serve:
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Spoon apples and sauce over chicken.
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Garnish with extra rosemary sprigs.
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Serve with:
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Mashed potatoes
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Wild rice
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Roasted root vegetables
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Crusty bread to soak up the sauce
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✅ Tips:
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Use good-quality apple cider (unfiltered if possible) for the best flavor.
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Make it a one-pan oven dish: After searing, transfer everything to an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for ~25–30 mins.
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Add a splash of cream or butter at the end to thicken the sauce if desired.