Name: Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs fat trimmed; 1 tbsp oil; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp dried sage; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3 tbsp butter; 1 yellow onion thinly sliced; 3 cloves garlic minced; 1 cup apple cider; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 tbsp flour or corn starch; 1 apple cut into wedges

There’s something downright cozy about simmering chicken in apple cider until tender and juicy. This Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and comforting flavors that makes weeknight dinners feel a little more special.

A black skillet holds four pieces of browned cooked meat, each piece showing a crispy, golden-brown texture with visible seasoning. Around and under the meat are many thick slices of pale yellow apple floating in a light, glossy golden sauce. A golden spoon rests on the right side inside the skillet, partially under some apple slices. The skillet sits on a soft light pink cloth, which is on a white marbled surface. Nearby, two red apples and a round wooden tray with a white small pumpkin and green plants are visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe dozens of times when I want something that feels fancy but really comes together without fuss. The warm, mellow spices and tender chicken make for a dish that’s hard not to savor fully.

Deep Flavor Development: Slow-caramelized onions and apple cider create a sauce that’s rich and layered without being heavy.
Juicy, Tender Chicken: Braising chicken thighs in liquid keeps them moist and perfectly cooked every time.
Easy Weeknight Friendly: Minimal prep and mostly hands-off cooking means you get time back for what matters.
Seasonal Touch: The fresh apple wedges add a light sweetness and a bit of texture, making it feel like fall on a plate.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on simple pantry staples combined with fresh elements that balance each other beautifully. Each ingredient has a part to play in building a sauce that’s both sweet and savory while making the chicken shine.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken thighs with trimmed fat, fresh yellow onion thinly sliced, whole uncracked garlic cloves, crisp apple wedges, fresh dried thyme and sage sprigs, small white ceramic bowls with golden oil, creamy butter cubes, coarse salt, ground black pepper, smooth flour powder, amber apple cider, and clear chicken broth—all arranged with perfect symmetry, fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Thighs are perfect for braising because they stay tender and juicy, plus they handle longer cook times better than breasts.
Oil: A neutral oil helps you get a great sear on the chicken, locking in flavor.
Dried thyme and sage: These herbs bring that cozy, earthy note that complements the apple cider perfectly.
Salt and black pepper: Simple but essential for seasoning the chicken and sauce.
Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the onions beautifully.
Yellow onion: Thinly sliced and slowly cooked down, onions add a sweet-savory foundation to the sauce.
Garlic: Just a touch of garlic rounds out the savoriness without overpowering.
Apple cider: This is the star— it imparts sweetness and acidity that brighten the whole dish.
Chicken broth: Adds depth and balances the cider’s sweetness.
Flour or cornstarch: Used as a slurry to thicken the sauce for that perfect glaze consistency.
Apple wedges: Adding fresh apple pieces near the end of cooking keeps some texture and a fresh fruit bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Everyone’s kitchen is a little different, and I love tweaking this recipe depending on what I have on hand or the season. You can easily customize it to fit your taste or dietary needs without losing that cozy apple cider charm.

Variation: I sometimes swap out the dried herbs for fresh thyme or rosemary when those are in season — it gives the dish a brighter herbal note that’s lovely with the apple cider.
Spices: For a little warmth, a pinch of cinnamon or ground cloves mixed with the herbs can make this a perfect fall or winter dinner.
Diet tweaks: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch if you’re avoiding gluten — it thickens the sauce just as well!
Veg boost: Toss in sliced carrots or parsnips with the onions to bulk up the meal with some extra veggies.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe

The dish shows two browned, seasoned pieces of cooked chicken with a slightly crispy skin, placed on top of a bright orange creamy layer that looks like mashed sweet potatoes or squash. Around and under the chicken are thin slices of cooked potatoes with a light yellow color, mixed with translucent cooked onions. The plate is white and round, with a silver fork resting on the left side of the plate, sitting on a surface with a white marbled texture. The food looks juicy with some sauce pooling around the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken thighs with thyme, sage, salt, and black pepper. Then heat one tablespoon of oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear it for about 5 to 7 minutes on the first side until it’s golden and crisp. Flip and sear the other side for another 5 minutes. Don’t worry about cooking it through here—this step is all about building that beautiful crust and flavor.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions Slowly

Remove the chicken to a plate and add butter plus thinly sliced onions to the same pan. Cook the onions gently while stirring every couple of minutes — this low and slow approach lets the onions turn soft and sweetly caramelized, which usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes. If they start to stick or brown too fast, splash in a little chicken broth or white wine to keep them nice and tender.

Step 3: Build Your Braising Sauce

Add the garlic and cook just a minute until fragrant. Then pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Next, whisk together your cornstarch (or flour) and water to make a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce to thicken it up. You want a sauce that clings lightly to the chicken but isn’t gloopy.

Step 4: Return Chicken and Apple, Then Bake

Pop the chicken back into the pan along with those fresh apple wedges. Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven at 425°F. Let everything bake together for about 15 minutes. This finishes cooking the chicken fully and softens the apples without turning them to mush. I usually check my chicken with a thermometer to hit about 185°F so it’s safe and juicy.

Top Tip

From experimenting with this Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe over time, I’ve learned a few tricks that take it from good to absolutely delicious. Paying attention to the details here really makes the difference, especially if you’re batch-cooking or meal prepping.

Don’t rush the onions: They might take a bit longer, but slow caramelization unlocks that sweet depth that defines the sauce.
Sear properly: Use medium heat and don’t move the chicken too much—this helps develop that golden crust that seals in juices.
Check seasoning: Before you put everything in the oven, taste your sauce and adjust salt and pepper—you want a balanced flavor that shines through after baking.
Use an oven-safe skillet: This one-pan method keeps all the flavors together and means fewer dishes!

How to Serve Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe

Apple Cider Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a few fresh thyme sprigs or chopped parsley right on top for a pop of color and herbal freshness. Sometimes, I add a few toasted pecans or walnuts to bring in a bit of crunch—it’s unexpected but so good alongside the tender chicken and sweet cider sauce.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or simple buttered noodles that soak up the sauce. Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans add just enough veggie crunch and color. When I want something lighter, I go for roasted root vegetables or a fresh green salad with a sharp vinaigrette.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve plated individual chicken thighs over a bed of wild rice pilaf, garnished with caramelized onions and a sprig of fresh thyme. Drizzling a little extra warm cider reduction on the plate makes it feel really polished — guests always ask for seconds!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the meal, I let leftovers cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The sauce thickens overnight and the flavors deepen, making next-day servings even better. Just make sure you reheat gently to keep the chicken tender.

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions of this recipe successfully by cooling it fully and transferring to freezer-safe containers. When thawed and reheated, the chicken stays moist and the sauce remains flavorful. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, as slow reheating keeps the chicken from drying out and preserves the lovely texture of the apples.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bone-in chicken thighs instead?

Absolutely! Bone-in thighs work well and add extra flavor, just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure the chicken is fully cooked — about 20 minutes in the oven rather than 15.

What if I don’t have apple cider?

You can substitute apple juice or even white grape juice with a splash of vinegar to mimic the acidity of cider. The flavor won’t be exactly the same but will still be delicious and sweetly balanced.

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can brown the chicken first, then add all ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender. You might want to thicken the sauce at the end on the stove with a slurry.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

It can be easily made gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce. Just double-check your chicken broth to ensure it’s gluten-free as some brands add wheat ingredients.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason I keep coming back to this Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe — it’s reliably comforting, full of nuanced flavor, and surprisingly simple to make. Sharing it feels like passing along a little secret that makes dinner feel like a special occasion any night of the week. Give it a try and watch how a few simple ingredients turn into something truly memorable.