This apple cider glazed chicken has become my go-to when I want something that smells incredible and tastes even better. The way the apple cider reduces down into this glossy, sweet-savory glaze while the bacon gets crispy and the potatoes soak up all those flavors – it’s pure fall comfort food that my kids actually get excited about.
Table of contents
Apple Cider Glazed Chicken with Bacon and Potatoes
Tender chicken braised in apple cider with crispy bacon and baby potatoes creates the perfect fall comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts (skin-on preferred)
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 lb yellow baby potatoes, halved if large
- 1 cup pearl onions, peeled
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 tbsp spicy whole grain mustard
- 1-2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then brown skin-side down in a skillet until crispy.
- In a Dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp, then add pearl onions and brown for 3-4 minutes.
- Add halved potatoes and cook another 2 minutes.
- Pour in apple cider to cover, then stir in mustard, cayenne, and thyme.
- Nestle chicken skin-side up into the mixture, cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
- Remove chicken and reduce sauce uncovered until thick and glossy, about 10 minutes.
- Return chicken to pan and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version - just add it in the last 10 minutes.
- Granny Smith apples make a great addition - add them with the potatoes.
- The sauce should coat the back of a spoon when ready.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 525Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 605mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 4gSugar: 16gProtein: 39g
Nutrition info is an estimate based on typical ingredients and portions - I calculate these to give you a helpful starting point! For specific dietary needs or accurate counts, I recommend double-checking with your favorite nutrition app or talking to a health professional. You can read more about my approach to nutrition info at notetherecipe.com/disclaimer
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need for this cozy fall dinner:
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts (skin-on for extra flavor)
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 lb yellow baby potatoes
- 1 cup pearl onions (or substitute small yellow onions)
- 2 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
- 2 tbsp spicy whole grain mustard
- 1-2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Time needed: 1 hour
Apple cider glazed chicken braised with bacon and potatoes in a sweet-savory sauce.
- Brown the chicken
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown chicken skin-side down until crispy, about 5-6 minutes.
- Cook bacon and vegetables
In a Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Add pearl onions and brown for 3-4 minutes, then add halved potatoes and cook 2 minutes more.
- Add cider and seasonings
Pour apple cider into the pot to cover vegetables. Stir in mustard, cayenne, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
- Braise the chicken
Nestle browned chicken skin-side up into the mixture. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through.
- Reduce the glaze
Remove chicken and reduce sauce uncovered until thick and glossy, about 10 minutes. Return chicken to pot and garnish with fresh parsley.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip browning the chicken first – that crispy skin adds so much flavor and stays crispy even after braising.
- If your pearl onions are giving you trouble to peel, drop them in boiling water for 1 minute first.
- The sauce is ready when it coats the back of a spoon – trust me, it’s worth waiting for that perfect consistency.
- Add a couple of sliced Granny Smith apples with the potatoes for extra fall flavor that my kids absolutely love.
- Make this ahead and reheat gently – the flavors get even better the next day.
You Might Also Like
If you love this cozy apple cider chicken, you’ll definitely want to try my creamy chicken mushroom soup – it’s another one-pot wonder that’s perfect for chilly evenings.
My easy white chicken chili is also a family favorite when we want something warming and satisfying. And if you’re in the mood for pasta, this cowboy butter chicken linguine has become our go-to weeknight dinner!
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, the glaze develops while the chicken cooks in the apple cider. The liquid reduces into a beautiful glaze during the braising process, so no separate glazing step needed.
Absolutely! Apple cider adds natural sweetness and acidity that tenderizes the chicken while creating an amazing flavor base. Just make sure to use real apple cider, not apple juice.
This recipe uses apple cider, not vinegar, but chicken can marinate in apple cider vinegar for up to 24 hours safely. For this dish, the chicken cooks in the cider for about 30 minutes.
This dish already includes potatoes, but crusty bread, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a simple green salad work beautifully. The bacon and potatoes make it pretty much a complete meal.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Add sliced Granny Smith apples with the potatoes for a sweeter, more traditional fall flavor.
- Swap sweet potatoes for regular potatoes to make it even more autumn-inspired.
- For a spicy version, double the cayenne or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Make it dairy-free by skipping any butter and using the natural bacon fat for browning.
- Try Brussels sprouts instead of pearl onions for a different vegetable twist.
Dietary Notes
| Diet | Friendly? | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Yes | Naturally gluten-free as written |
| Dairy-Free | Yes | No dairy ingredients used |
| Vegan | No | Replace chicken with portobello mushrooms, skip bacon |
| Keto | No | Skip potatoes, add more low-carb vegetables |
| Nut-Free | Yes | No nuts in this recipe |
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Keeps 3-4 days in a covered container – the flavors actually get better overnight.
- Freezer: Freeze up to 3 months, though the potatoes might get a bit softer when thawed.
- Thawing: Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture and even reheating.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a covered pot over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 90 seconds.
- Make-ahead tip: You can brown the chicken and prep the vegetables a day ahead – just store separately and combine when ready to cook.
Save This Recipe for Later
This apple cider glazed chicken is definitely one to bookmark for those cozy fall evenings. Save it to your Pinterest board or share it with someone who loves comfort food as much as you do!
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