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Cider Braised Chicken with Caramelized Onions

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This Cider Braised Chicken with Caramelized Onions is a cozy, flavorful fall dinner featuring tender chicken braised in apple cider with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and herbs. Whether baked in the oven or made in the crockpot, this cider braised chicken recipe is rich, comforting, and perfect for chilly nights.

Ingredients

  • Main Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds chicken (thighs or breasts)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups apple cider (non-alcoholic or hard cider)
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine

Instructions

  1. Oven Method:
    1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
    2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then lightly coat in flour.
    3. In an oven-safe skillet, sear chicken until browned on one side. Remove and set aside.
    4. Add butter and onions to skillet. Sauté 5 minutes, then pour in ½ cup cider and cook 5–8 minutes more until onions are golden.
    5. Stir in mushrooms, garlic, thyme, and sage. Return chicken to skillet.
    6. Pour in remaining cider and broth or wine.
    7. Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 30 minutes, covering if sauce reduces too much.
    8. Serve with rice or bread, spooning sauce and onions over chicken.
  2. Crockpot Method:
    1. Season and flour chicken, then sear on one side.
    2. Place onions and butter in the crockpot, add chicken on top.
    3. Add mushrooms, garlic, thyme, sage, cider, and broth or wine.
    4. Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 4–5 hours until tender.
    5. Serve with rice or bread and drizzle with sauce.

Notes

  • Add apple slices or butternut squash to the braise for a fall twist.
  • Stir in heavy cream or Dijon mustard at the end for a creamy sauce.
  • If using apple juice instead of cider, add a splash of vinegar.
  • Use drumsticks for feeding a crowd.
  • Reheat with a splash of broth or cider to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/cider-braised-chicken-with-caramelized-onions/