Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Looking for a dish that tastes like fall and brings comfort any time of year? This Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken recipe is a savory-sweet sensation, combining juicy chicken with tangy apple cider and earthy rosemary. With just a handful of ingredients and a one-pan cooking method, this dish is both elegant and effortless—perfect for busy weeknights or festive family dinners.

Why You’ll Love Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken

The blend of fresh rosemary, crisp apple cider, and juicy chicken creates a harmony of flavors that’s fresh and robust. A splash of cider tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with a subtle sweetness, while rosemary adds depth and a fragrant, woodsy touch. This recipe is a surefire crowd pleaser—simple enough for everyday meals, yet special enough to serve guests.

Creating a Flavorful Cider Marinade

To ensure your chicken is packed with flavor, start by marinating it in a mixture of apple cider, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Just a 30-minute soak infuses the meat with brightness and warmth, while keeping it irresistibly tender. If you have more time, marinate overnight to deepen the flavors even more.

Cooking the Chicken to Perfection

After marinating, brown the chicken in a hot, oven-safe skillet for a crisp, golden skin. Add apple slices and a bit more cider, then roast in the oven until the chicken is juicy and cooked through. The resulting pan sauce adds a restaurant-worthy touch—with little effort.

Serving Suggestions for Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken

This versatile entrée pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or roasted seasonal vegetables. Drizzle the pan sauce over the top for extra flavor, and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs or crispy apple slices for a finish worthy of a bistro.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves four and delivers a balanced dinner—each portion contains approximately 350 to 400 calories (depending on the chicken cut and oil used), packed with lean protein and bursts of flavor from apples and herbs. Pair with a green salad for a lighter meal or hearty grains for extra satisfaction.

Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken (Recap)

Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken is a weeknight-friendly meal that feels a bit special. One-pan, easy clean up, and packed with comforting yet sophisticated flavors, it’s an instant family favorite you’ll want to save and make again.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a categorized shopping list. All ingredients are sorted by department for easy, quick, and organized grocery trips—making meal planning hassle-free every week.

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine apple cider, olive oil, rosemary, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator (up to overnight).
2. Prepare Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. Brown Chicken: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve leftover marinade). Sear chicken, skin-side down, for 3–4 minutes until browned. Flip and sear other side for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add Apples & Cider: Nestle sliced apples around chicken, pour remaining marinade and an extra splash of apple cider (about 1/4 cup) into the pan. If you like a touch of added sweetness, drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
5. Roast: Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 18–22 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
6. Serve: Spoon pan sauce and apples over the chicken. Garnish with fresh rosemary and more apple slices. Enjoy hot!

Weekly Meal Planning

This Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken adapts easily to weekly meal prep and batch cooking. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically add it to your meal plan, consolidate shopping lists, and keep your week on track with minimal effort.

Planning Benefits:

• Combines overlapping ingredients across all planned recipes
• Keeps shopping lists organized by store section
• Reduces waste and duplicate purchases
• Streamlines your meal prep—for a more manageable week!

Pro tip: When you add this recipe alongside your other meals in CookifyAI’s meal planner, your shopping list will calculate ingredient totals—eliminating trips back to the store and cutting down on food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes for marinating)
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40–50 minutes (excluding marinating time)