Cider Poached Chicken With Celeriac Apple Food

APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large skillet over medium high. Sprinkle the top of the chicken evenly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken to the pan, top-side down. Let cook 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until the meat is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees, 3 to 4 additional minutes. Remove to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
• In a small bowl or large measuring cup, stir together the apple cider and mustard. With a paper towel, carefully wipe the skillet clean. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan over medium high. Once the oil is hot, add the apple slices, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes, until the apples are lightly tender and begin to turn golden. Return the chicken to the pan and pour the cider mixture over the top. Let cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by half. Serve warm, sprinkled with additional chopped rosemary as desired.

APPLEWOOD-SMOKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make the brine: Whisk 2 cups water, the apple cider, vinegar, brown sugar, salt and honey in a medium saucepan until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a large glass bowl or other heatproof container and refrigerate until cooled, 1 to 2 hours.
• Add the chicken to the brine, making sure it is completely submerged. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Preheat a grill to medium low and prepare for indirect cooking: On a gas grill, preheat the grill, then turn off half the burners. On a charcoal grill, light the coals, then bank to one side; put a disposable aluminum drip pan under the grates on the unlit side of the grill. Meanwhile, soak the applewood chips in water, 30 minutes; drain.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels and generously sprinkle all over with the dry rub.
• When the grill registers 275˚ F, add the wood chips: On a gas grill, fill a smoker box with the chips and use according to the manufacturer's instructions; on a charcoal grill, sprinkle the chips over the coals. Place the chicken breast-side down on the cooler side of the grill. Cover the grill and smoke the chicken until the meat is no longer pink around the bone and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thighs registers 175˚ F, about 2 hours (if using charcoal, adjust the air vents and add more coals as needed so the temperature stays around 275˚ F).
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest at least 15 minutes before carving.
• Photograph Ralph Smith

CHICKEN IN CIDER

Steps:

• Place the butter in a heavy-based, lidded casserole over a medium heat.
• Add the sliced onion and allow to soften for one minute.
• Place the chicken thighs, skin-side down, into the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the skin begins to brown.
• Add the sliced bacon, turn the thighs over, and cook for a further 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon begins to colour.
• Add the apples and allow to soften for one minute.
• Pour in the cider and season with a pinch of salt. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken juices run clear.
• Serve immediately, taking the pot to the table and allowing people to help themselves.

APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, add to pan and sear until golden, about 4 minutes each side. Remove chicken from pan, and set aside. Add remaining butter and onion, apple, garlic, thyme and bay leaves. Saute until apple begins to get color and onions soften, about 6 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 to 3 minutes. Nestle chicken back into pan, add cider, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes.

APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat it to 425 degrees F.
• Add the Brussels sprouts, apples, red onion and rosemary sprigs to a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste) and a ¼ teaspoon pepper. Spread in a single layer and roast on the upper oven rack, flipping halfway through, until tender and browned, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large ovenproof skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and then season on both sides with remaining 1 teaspoon salt, remaining ½ teaspoon pepper, the chopped rosemary and thyme. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until well browned on the bottom, about 5 to 6 minutes. Flip and cook 4 more minutes, then pour 1½ cups cider into the skillet around the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the lower oven rack and roast until internal temperature of the thickest piece measures 165 F when measured with an instant read thermometer, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• When the Brussels are fork tender, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Remove and discard the woody rosemary sprigs and toss the veggies and apples with a spatula. Lay a sheet of foil loosely over the top to keep them warm while you finish the chicken.
• After removing the chicken from the oven, transfer it to a cutting board to rest and return the skillet to MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce the cider slightly. Reduce heat to MEDIUM-LOW and whisk in the Dijon. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the vinegar and stir constantly until the butter has melted into the sauce. Combine the remaining ¼ cup apple cider with the cornstarch in a measuring cup and whisk it into the sauce. Continue to cook on LOW until the sauce has thickened. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Slice the chicken (if desired) and return it to the skillet with the sauce. Serve the chicken with the veggies and apples, spooning some of the sauce over the top of both.

CHICKEN WITH APPLE CIDER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a medium to large skillet over medium-high heat, for about 1 minute or until the surface of the pan is hot. Add the oil and heat until rippling on the surface. Pat the chicken breast dry and season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the pan and cook until the meat is golden, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken breasts, lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of the butter. Cook until firm to the touch or an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F, about 4 to 6 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest.
• Pour off any fat remaining in the skillet. Add the vinegar and deglaze over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the cider and the broth. Bring to a boil and cook until it thickens to form a sauce, about 6 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice and thyme leaves. Return the chicken to the pan, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve.
• Copyright (c) 2004 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.

CIDER-BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH APPLES AND GREENS

Steps:

• Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
• In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the oil over medium. Cook the chicken thighs skin-side down, undisturbed, until the skin is golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip and cook until lightly browned on the other side, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Pour off all but about 3 tablespoons of fat from the pot, turn the heat to medium-low, then add the shallots and sage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
• Add the cider, cider vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the cider has reduced slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot, skin-side up. Pour just enough broth around (not on!) the chicken to cover the sides of the thighs but not cover the skin on top.
• Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low. Partly cover and gently simmer until the thighs are cooked through and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate or sheet pan (if you'd like to broil the chicken in the next step), raise the heat to medium, and add the kale and apple to the pot. Cook, tossing often, until all the kale is wilted, the apples are just softened and the liquid has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. While the greens cook, if you'd like to crisp the skin on the chicken, pop it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Taste for seasoning, and stir in 1 or 2 more teaspoons cider vinegar to taste. Divide the chicken and kale mixture among shallow bowls; serve with crusty bread to mop up broth.