INGREDIENTS
8 medium bone-in chicken thighs
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
3 medium apples, cored and quartered
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3/4 cup apple cider
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 tablespoon thyme leaves, chopped, plus extra for garnish
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken thighs with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sauté chicken, skin side down, 4 to 5 minutes until skin is golden brown. Turn and cook 3 minutes. Transfer chicken thighs to prepared baking dish. Scatter apples over chicken. Set aside.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in same skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes. Stir in apple cider, apple cider vinegar, ginger and thyme. Season with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Bring cider mixture to a slow boil. Add maple syrup and stir continuously 3 to 4 minutes until sauce begins to thicken. Pour sauce over chicken and apples.
Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. Uncover. Spoon sauce over chicken. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until apples are tender. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs before serving.