Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew: 4 Must-Try Sides

The Scent of Autumn

The leaves are turning, painting our world in hues of red and gold. A crisp breeze carries the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth. This time of year calls for warmth, comfort, and hearty meals. It’s the season for gathering with loved ones, for cozy nights in, and for food that feels like a hug from the inside out. Our Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew perfectly captures this feeling.

A Culinary Hug

This stew is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Each spoonful brings the essence of autumn to your table. It warms your soul, brings smiles to faces, and creates lasting memories. It’s the kind of dish you look forward to all year, a true celebration of the season’s bounty.

More Than Just a Meal

There’s something uniquely special about cooking a homemade meal during the cooler months. The aroma filling your kitchen, the rhythmic chop of vegetables, the gentle simmer on the stove – it all contributes to a sense of peace and joy. This stew embodies those simple pleasures, reminding us to slow down and savor the moment.

Why Make This Recipe

Flavor Profile

This Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew offers a delightful dance of flavors. You get the savory richness of tender chicken, perfectly balanced by the sweet, tangy notes of apples and apple cider. Aromatic herbs weave through, creating a complex yet comforting taste that will surprise and satisfy you.

Comfort in Every Spoonful

Imagine coming in from a cold day, and a bowl of this warm, fragrant stew is waiting for you. It’s designed to warm you from your toes to your fingertips, providing a deep sense of comfort that only a well-made stew can offer.

Ease and Efficiency

Despite its sophisticated taste, this stew is surprisingly simple to make. The steps are clear, and it uses common ingredients. You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to achieve incredible results with this recipe.

Crowd-Pleaser

Whether you’re feeding your family on a weeknight or hosting a gathering, this stew is always a hit. It’s hearty enough to satisfy everyone and its unique flavor profile makes it a memorable dish that guests will ask for again.

Healthful Goodness

Packed with lean protein from the chicken and nutrients from the vegetables and apples, this stew is also a wholesome choice. It’s a meal you can feel good about eating and serving.

How to Make Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew

Ingredients of : Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and diced
• 4 cups unsweetened apple cider
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water for a slurry)
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Directions of : Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew

1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
3. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
5. Add diced apples, apple cider, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg to the pot.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
7. Return the browned chicken to the pot. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry.
9. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering stew. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the stew thickens to your desired consistency.
10. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
11. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

How to Serve Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew

Classic Comforts

This stew pairs wonderfully with simple, hearty sides. Serve it over fluffy mashed potatoes, alongside a bowl of wild rice, or with a thick slice of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious broth.

Green Companions

A light, crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the stew. Consider a dressing made with apple cider vinegar to complement the main dish.

Beverage Bliss

For a warm and cozy drink, consider serving hot apple cider alongside the stew. Sparkling cider is also a great non-alcoholic option.

How to Store Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew

Making Ahead and Storage

This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. You can make it ahead of time and reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

This stew freezes well. Once completely cooled, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some headspace. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly.

Tips to Make Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew

Browning for Flavor

Don’t skip browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables. This step creates a rich, complex base of flavor that makes a huge difference in the final taste of your stew. Those browned bits in the bottom of the pan are flavor gold!

Quality Apple Cider

The star of this stew is the apple cider. Use a good quality, unsweetened apple cider. Avoid heavily sweetened or spiced ciders, as they can overpower the other flavors. Pure, fresh apple cider will give you the best results.

Don’t Rush the Simmer

Allowing the stew to simmer gently for the recommended time is crucial. This helps the flavors develop and blend together beautifully, and also ensures the chicken becomes wonderfully tender. Low and slow is the way to go for maximum flavor.

Taste and Adjust

Always taste your stew at different stages of cooking, especially before serving. You might find it needs a little more salt, pepper, or another dash of cider vinegar to really bring out the best flavors. Adjusting seasonings ensures a perfectly balanced dish.

Variation (if any)

“Set It and Forget It” Slow Cooker Adaptation

To make this stew in a slow cooker, follow steps 1-4 for browning the chicken and sautéing the aromatics. Transfer everything (chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic) to your slow cooker. Add diced apples, apple cider, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender. In the last 30 minutes, stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken.

Heartier Veggies

Feel free to add other root vegetables for a more robust stew. Diced parsnips, sweet potatoes, or even small chunks of turnip would be excellent additions. Add them with the carrots and celery to ensure they cook through.

Spice It Up (or Down)

If you like a little warmth, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic. For different aromatic notes, a bay leaf added during the simmer adds depth. You can also experiment with other fresh herbs like sage.

Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Options

This recipe is naturally dairy-free. To ensure it’s gluten-free, make sure your chicken broth is certified gluten-free. The cornstarch slurry is also naturally gluten-free for thickening.

FAQs

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs for this Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew?

Yes, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into 1-inch pieces. Keep in mind that chicken breasts tend to cook a bit faster and can dry out if overcooked, so adjust your simmering time as needed.

What kind of apples are best to use in Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew?

For this stew, firm and slightly tart apples work best. Good choices include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith apples. These hold their shape well during cooking and add a nice balance to the savory flavors.

How can I make my Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew thicker?

If your stew isn’t as thick as you prefer after adding the cornstarch slurry, you can make another small slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Stir it into the simmering stew and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.

Hearty Chicken & Apple Cider Fall Stew

A comforting and flavorful fall stew featuring tender chicken thighs, sweet apples, and a rich apple cider broth, seasoned with aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg. Perfect for a cozy meal, it's hearty, satisfying, and easy to prepare.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings 6 people

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• Dutch oven
• Heavy-bottomed pot
• Small bowl

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion chopped
• 2 carrots peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 small apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and diced
• 4 cups unsweetened apple cider
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water for a slurry)
• Fresh parsley chopped for garnish

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
• Brown chicken pieces for 5-7 minutes, then remove from the pot and set aside.
• Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
• Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add apples, apple cider, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg to the pot.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Return the chicken to the pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked through and tender.
• Whisk cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
• Stir the slurry into the stew and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
• Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, consider browning the diced apples slightly with the vegetables before adding the liquids. You can also add a splash of cream at the end for a richer stew.