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French Apple Cider Chicken

Savory French Apple Cider Chicken for Cozy Nights

French Apple Cider Chicken is a comforting casserole featuring tender chicken braised in a silky apple cider sauce with caramelized apples.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: French
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 legs Chicken (bone-in)
For the Aromatics
  • 1 medium Onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
For the Apples
  • 2 medium Apple (Golden Delicious or Jonagold) half diced, half sliced
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Flour
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Cooking Oil for browning
  • 2 tablespoons Butter for caramelizing apples
  • 1 cup Apple Cider dry recommended
  • 1 cup Chicken Stock
  • 1/2 cup Light Cream can substitute with heavy cream
For the Seasoning
  • 2 leaves Bay Leaves
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme or fresh, optional
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Pan
  • airtight container

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Season the chicken legs with salt and pepper. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  2. Lower the heat and add the diced onion, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and half of the diced apple, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle flour over sautéed mixture and stir for 2 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet and add Dijon mustard, bay leaves, thyme, and sage, stirring to coat the chicken.
  4. Pour in apple cider and chicken stock, stirring to deglaze the pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.
  5. Melt butter in a separate pan and add remaining apple wedges. Cook for 5-7 minutes until caramelized. Remove from heat.
  6. Stir in light cream during the last 15 minutes of cooking the chicken. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve the chicken warm, garnished with fresh thyme and caramelized apple wedges. Enjoy with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

Notes

To enhance flavor, use quality ingredients and adjust seasoning to taste. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.

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