Baked Chicken Thighs with Apples
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Energy Kcal 300
- Carbohydrates g 18.1
- of which sugars g 18.1
- Protein g 18
- Fats g 16.4
- of which saturated fat g 3.23
- Fiber g 4
- Cholesterol mg 87
- Sodium mg 1564
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 20 min
- Cook time: 55 min
- Serving: 4
PRESENTATION
Baked chicken thighs with apples is one of those classic Italian dishes that’s just perfect for chilly evenings. Seriously good. In places like Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy, families love baking this to fill their homes with the sweet aroma of apples mingling with savory herbs. And, you know, the chicken thighs? They're super crispy on the outside but stay so tender and juicy inside, thanks to that Italian spice blend and a dash of olive oil.
But really, the magic happens with the apples. Instead of just being thrown in raw, they get pan-sautéed until golden and soft, soaking up flavors and giving you that pleasant sweet-savory combo typical of Italian winter cooking. The textures here are just great, with the moist chicken and the apples—almost melt-in-your-mouth. It's the kind of dish that makes even a regular weeknight feel special. No question about it. That's why dishes like these are dinner table favorites.
For those who enjoy trying new twists on old favorites, chicken thighs with apples is a standout from other Italian chicken recipes—like pollo alla cacciatora or simple roasted chicken with potatoes. The pairing of the deep, tender chicken flavor with the sweet and slightly tangy apples is just spot on. Honestly, it's a combo you wouldn't expect but works really, really well. Often, it shows up in Italian kitchens when apples are in season.
If you’re after an easy chicken dinner that’s pretty simple and fuss-free, this recipe totally fits the bill. It's sometimes called apple glazed chicken and can include a splash of apple cider for an extra kick—super versatile, I gotta say. This one-pan chicken recipe feels homely and comforting, yet still manages to feel fresh, thanks to those sautéed apples. People usually serve it with rustic bread or roasted veggies, soaking up every bit of the delicious juices, so nothing goes to waste. It’s a dish that truly captures the essence of Italian comfort food while offering something fresh and exciting for your taste buds.
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INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients for the chicken thighs
- Chicken drumsticks 1.1 lbs (500 g) - (4 drumsticks)
- White wine 1.7 oz (50 g)
- Extra virgin olive oil 1.5 oz (40 g)
- Fine salt 1.7 tsp (10 g)
- Sweet Paprika to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Pink peppercorn to taste
- Ground white pepper to taste
- Juniper berries to taste
- Parsley to taste
- Sage to taste
- Rosemary to taste
- Thyme to taste
- for the apples
- Fuji Apples 1.1 lbs (500 g) - (about 2)
- Brown sugar 1 ¼ tsp (5 g)
- Fine salt 1 tsp (5 g)
- Water 3 ½ tbsp (50 g)
- Lemon juice ½
How to prepare Baked Chicken Thighs with Apples
To make the baked chicken thighs with apples, start by finely chopping the aromatic herbs: parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme 1, and set aside. Place the black, white, and pink peppercorns and juniper berries in a mortar 2 and crush them with the pestle 3
to reduce them to powder 4. In a jug, place the herb mix and the ground spices 5, pour in the olive oil 6
add the 10g of fine salt, the wine 7 and season with the sweet paprika 8, then stir with a spoon to flavor 9.
Take a baking dish and grease the bottom with olive oil, lay your chicken thighs side by side 10, then cover them with the prepared spice mixture 11. Bake the thighs in a preheated static oven at 350°F for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, wash and dry the apples, cut them in half 12
and then into quarters and finally reduce them into smaller, irregular pieces 13. Pour the apple pieces into a pan 14, add the brown sugar 15,
5g of fine salt 16 and drizzle with the juice of half a lemon 17. Cook over medium heat to dissolve the sugar, then pour in the water 18,
lower the heat and continue cooking for 10 minutes until the apples are tender 19. Meanwhile, the chicken will also have finished cooking and will be golden on the surface 20, then remove from the oven and immediately serve your baked chicken thighs with apples 21!