Description
A simple, forgiving 4-ingredient sheet pan dinner featuring crispy chicken thighs, sweet roasted apples, and caramelized onions in a sticky brown sugar glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on preferred)
- 3 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), cored and chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced into half-moons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- Salt and black pepper (generous amounts)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Optional: ¼ cup apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place skin-side up on the pan and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Toss chopped apples and sliced onions with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread around the chicken on the pan.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, minced garlic, and thyme. Microwave for 30-45 seconds until melted. Whisk until smooth.
- Roast chicken and vegetables for 20 minutes.
- Remove pan from oven. Spoon the glaze over the chicken, getting under the skin if possible. Flip apples and onions to coat in juices.
- Return to oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F-175°F and apples are tender.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. If using apple cider, deglaze the pan with it while chicken rests and pour over the dish.
Notes
Dry the chicken skin thoroughly for crispiness. Avoid Red Delicious apples as they turn to mush. If your oven runs hot, check the pan at 35 minutes to prevent burning. This recipe is naturally gluten-free. For dairy-free, swap butter for olive oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 thighs and 1 cup v
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken thighs, roasted apples, sheet pan dinner, fall recipes, easy dinner, gluten-free, one pan meal