Apple Cider Chicken With Butternut Squash Food

APPLE CIDER-GLAZED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH FRITTERS

Steps:

• For the butternut squash fritters: Place the squash, apple, ginger, egg, breadcrumbs, sage, rosemary, salt and pepper into a large bowl and stir together to combine.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and coat the bottom with about 1/4 inch of oil. When the oil shimmers, scoop heaping tablespoons of the squash mixture and drop gently into the oil, pressing with the back of the spoon to slightly flatten. Fry in batches until brown and crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a plate lined with lightly crumpled paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with more salt before serving. Makes about 2 dozen fritters.
• For the apple cider-glazed chicken thighs: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs on each side with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper, then cook in batches on each side until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the onions and 2 sprigs of thyme to the pan. Season with salt, add a little water, and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet until the onions are golden and softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the apple cider, vinegar and the reserved liquid from squeezing out the squash and apple. Simmer until reduced, 5 minutes.
• Remove the thyme leaves from the remaining 2 sprigs of thyme, then finely chop the thyme, parsley, and tarragon. Set aside.
• Whisk the butter into the reduced sauce, then add the chicken thighs back to the pan to warm through for 2 or 3 minutes, coating with the glaze and sprinkling with the fresh herbs. Check that the thighs have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, then serve with the Butternut Squash Fritters.

CHICKEN STEW WITH SHALLOTS, CIDER AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat 1 tspn oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Add shallots and saute 5 minutes or until tender & golden brown. Add curry powder; saute 1 minute. Spoon shallot mixture into a large bowl.
• Place 1/3 cup flour in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess. Heat remaining 1 tblspn oil in pan over medium high heat. Add half of chicken mixture, sprinkle with 1/4 tspn salt and 1/8 tspn pepper. Cook 6 minutes, browning on all sides. Add browned chicken to shallot mixture. Repeat process with remaining chicken mixture, 1/4 tspn salt, 1/8 tspn pepper.
• Add cider to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Combine 1 cup broth and 1 tblspn flour, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add broth mixture, remaining broth,and water; bring to a boil. Stir in chicken mixture, remaining 1/2 tspnn salt, and remaining 1/4 tspn pepper. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in squash. Simmer, uncovered, 55 minutes or until chicken and squash are very tender, and sauce thickens. Spoon about 1 cup stew into each of 6 bowls; sprinkle each serving with 2 tspns almonds and parsley.