Apple Maple Glazed Chicken...a great fall dinner!

One of the best chicken recipes I've had in a long time!


Apple-Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts from Cook's Illustrated, September 2007

* 1 1/2 cups apple cider, plus 2 Tablespoons
* 1/3 cup light corn syrup
* 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
* 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* pinch of red pepper flakes
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
* 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
* 1 medium shallot, minced
* kosher salt
* ground black pepper

Adjust oven rack to the middle position and heat to 375.

Whisk together 1 1/2 cups apple cider, corn syrup, maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes together in a medium bowl.


Spread flour in a shallow bowl or pie plate, and season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, patting off excess.

Heat oil in an oven-proof 12-inch skillet until it is shimmering but not smoking. Lay chicken breasts in a single layer, and cook 12-14 minutes, turning once, until both sides are golden brown. Transfer chicken to a plate.


Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of fat. Saute shallot until softened, about 1-2 minutes. Increase heat to high, and add cider mixture to skillet. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture has reduced to about 1 cup, 6-10 minutes. A spatula should leave a slight trail when dragged through the mixture.

Remove skillet from heat, and tilt so that all the glaze pools on one side. Use tongs to coat each chicken breast in the glaze, and lay in a single layer in the skillet.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the thickest portion of the chicken reads 160 on an instant read thermometer, 20-25 minutes, turning chicken halfway through.

Remove from oven and set the chicken aside. Return the skillet to high heat on the stove top (be careful, the handle will be very hot!!). Cook until glaze has thickened and is syrupy, about 1 minute (a spatula will leave a wide trail when dragged through). Remove from heat and whisk in remaining 2 Tablespoons of cider.

Spoon 1 teaspoon over each chicken breast, and serve, passing remaining glaze at the table.

Yum!