Worth the Wait!

I was recently reading The Kitchen Sink and came across this recipe. I was immediately drawn to it seeing that it called for Apple Cider and I had recently been to an apple orchard! It seems like I am always finding new recipes that use Apple Cider or pumpkin!! It took quite awhile to make, but it was definitely well worth the wait!

The chicken was so moist and the flavors from the Sage and Apple Cider really complemented one another! I substituted the Spanish onion for a regular large onion, and didn't notice any difference. I also added some fresh garlic and garlic salt. If you want to add the garlic/garlic salt like I did, just add it when you are searing the chicken. I used 2 cloves and probably about 2 teaspoons of garlic salt.

I paired the Cider Braised Chicken with Mashed Potatoes! It seemed like the perfect combination!

Cider-Braised Chicken

Adapted from Food & Wine (per The Kitchen Sink)

1 tablespoon pure or extra-virgin olive oil

4 whole chicken legs or bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large Spanish onions, halved crosswise and thinly sliced

4 sage leaves2 bay leaves

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 1/2 cups apple cider

1/4 cup cider vinegar

3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 400°. Heat oil in a large skillet. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet, skin side down, and cook over moderately high heat until the skin is crisp and browned, about 8 minutes. Turn and cook for 3 minutes longer. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet or large platter, skin side up.

Add the onions to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the sage, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden and starting to stick to the bottom of the skillet, about 5 minutes. Add the apple cider to the skillet and simmer over moderately high heat until the cider is syrupy, about 25 minutes. Add the vinegar to the pan and simmer for 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. Stir stock and parsley into the skillet. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.

Transfer the onion sauce to a large roasting pan. Arrange the chicken in the sauce, skin side up. Set the roasting pan in the oven and reduce the heat to 350°. Roast the chicken until cooked through, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a platter. Set the roasting pan over high heat and boil the sauce until the liquid is reduced, about 10 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper and serve with the chicken.