Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup high-quality apple cider (not apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium Honeycrisp or Gala apples, sliced into wedges
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 red onion, cut into thick wedges
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk the Marinade and Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper. Reserve about 1/4 cup of this mixture to use as a fresh glaze at the end of the cooking process. This ensures you have a bright, concentrated flavor to finish the dish.
- Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skin gets crispy. Place the chicken thighs, cubed sweet potatoes, red onion wedges, and apple slices in a large mixing bowl. Pour the remaining marinade over everything and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is well-coated.
- Arrange on the Sheet Pan: Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture onto a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Position the chicken thighs skin-side up and nestle the apples and vegetables around them. Make sure the pan isn’t too crowded; if necessary, use two pans to allow the air to circulate so the vegetables roast rather than steam.
- Roast to Perfection: Place the sheet pan in the center rack of the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown and crispy. The sweet potatoes should be fork-tender and the apples softened but not mushy.
- Glaze and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately drizzle the reserved 1/4 cup of marinade over the hot chicken and vegetables. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.
- Cook Time: 50 minutes