Cider Chicken with Savory Fall Fruits

We may have mentioned it once or twice, but we’re big fans of wine in general and Virginia wine in particular. We used to live in Charlottesville, the de facto capital of Virginia wine country. There are many perks to living in Charlottesville, but definitely one of them is the proximity to the many wines of the Monticello AVA. There are dozens of wineries and vineyards, as well as breweries and cideries within easy day-trip distance from the center of town.

Sadly, we can’t say the same about SC, but we are lucky enough to remain wine club members at one of our favorites, King Family Vineyards, and receive a shipment of Virginia wine every quarter. In our package of wine from them, there’s always a newsletter with vineyard updates on one side and a seasonal recipe on the other side. When we received our shipment last week, this quarter’s recipe caught our eye! Tonight’s dish, with its fall flavors of cider and apples, is inspired by the one they shared with us.

{Relatedly, hit us up if you want to plan a long weekend or a day trip to Virginia wine country! We have lots of suggestions!}

Cider Chicken with Savory Fall Fruits

Ingredients: 

• 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, sliced & halved
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8 chicken thighs
• 2 persimmons, chopped
• 1 large tart red apple, sliced
• 1 12oz bottle hard cider
• 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 1/2 tsp fish sauce
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 sprig of fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt & pepper
• 1 bunch of spinach

Instructions: 

1. In a large, high-sided skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat. As soon as the bacon begin to release its fat, add the onions and garlic to the pan.
2. Cover and sweat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then remove to the side.
3. Now increase heat to medium-high, brown the chicken thighs on both sides in the remaining bacon fat. Once browned, remove these to the side as well.
4. Add the fruit to the pan with the bacon and chicken drippings. Cook for just 2 or 3 minutes, tossing once or twice, to get the fruit slightly browned. And then remove these to the side as well.
5. Now, deglaze the pan with the cider. Stir in the mustard, fish sauce, herbs, and a few shakes of salt & pepper.
6. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, return the chicken to the pan. Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes.
7. Remove lid and flip the chicken. Keep the liquid boiling and allow some to cook off for the next few minutes.
8. Return all of the rest of the ingredients that were sidelined to the dish. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
9. Serve the chicken, topped with fruit and onions. Spoon some of the cider mixture overtop.
10. Once the skillet is emptied of these ingredients, place the spinach in with the remaining liquid. Cover and lower heat. The spinach will be ready to serve on the side once wilted, just another two minutes longer.

Serves 6-8