West Virginia Apple Cider Glazed Chicken

Introduction

There's nothing quite like the sweet and tangy flavors of apple cider glazed chicken sizzling on an open grill under a clear West Virginia sky. This Apple Cider Glazed Chicken recipe is made entirely on the Arteflame grill, utilizing the incredible heat of the center grill grate to sear the chicken to perfection before finishing it gently on the flat griddle cooktop. The result? A juicy, caramelized piece of chicken bursting with fall-inspired flavor and grilled to smoky perfection.

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for grilling)
• Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up your Arteflame grill

1. Soak three paper napkins with vegetable oil and place them in the center of your Arteflame grill.
2. Stack firewood over the napkins.
3. Light the napkins — your grill will be ready for cooking in about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the apple cider glaze

1. In a small bowl, mix apple cider, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, clove, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir until fully combined. Set aside near the grill.

Step 3: Sear the chicken

1. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
2. Add a small pat of butter directly to the center grill grate and place the chicken thighs skin-side-down to sear for 2-3 minutes to lock in juices.
3. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 4: Move chicken to the griddle

1. Slide the seared chicken pieces out from the center grate to the surrounding flat top cooktop to finish cooking.
2. Baste generously with the apple cider glaze every few minutes.
3. Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F (remove at 150°F to allow carryover cooking).
4. Turn occasionally for even caramelization.

Step 5: Finish and serve

1. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from grill.
2. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs if desired.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness.
• Keep the glaze near the outer edge for slow simmering without burning.
• Always finish meats on the griddle to control cooking temperature and texture.
• Butter on the Arteflame enhances searing flavor compared to oil.
• Searing at over 1,000°F locks in juices for succulent results every time.

Variations

1. Spicy Maple Apple Chicken: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup and add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a kick.
2. Smoky Bourbon Cider Chicken: Add a splash of bourbon to the glaze for a rich, smoky flavor.
3. Garlic Herb Apple Chicken: Add minced garlic and mix fresh rosemary and thyme into the glaze for an herby finish.
4. Apple Cranberry Glazed Chicken: Stir in dried cranberries into the apple cider glaze for a sweet-tart twist.
5. Honey Mustard Cider Chicken: Replace Dijon with whole-grain mustard and add 2 tablespoons of honey.

Best pairings

• Grilled butternut squash with a touch of cinnamon on the Arteflame griddle
• Wood-fired cornbread cooked in a cast iron pan directly on the cooktop
• Grilled apple slices with a pat of butter and sprinkle of nutmeg
• A crisp West Virginia hard cider or chilled Chardonnay
• Mixed field greens with walnuts, blue cheese and cider vinaigrette

Conclusion

Grilling with the Arteflame elevates every part of this recipe. From the caramelized glaze to the tender chicken, you’ll be blown away by the flavors. Perfect for a special dinner or your next barbecue, this West Virginia-inspired recipe brings warmth and richness to your table.