This Grilled Apple Cider Thyme Chicken is juicy and full of flavour, slightly sweet from the cider but with a wonderful floral note and savoury grilled flavour.
Who doesn't love grilled chicken?? It is sure fire family pleaser. And this apple cider thyme marinade is the BEST. I don't use that term lightly. But everything about this is just wonderful. It is super simple to make, makes your chicken juicy even after the fierce heat of the grill and it gives the chicken a great flavour.
I know it is glorious sunshine in the northern hemisphere. Perfect weather for grilling!!!!
It is freezing here in Australia today, the wind has been howling and the rain hasn't stopped for a good 24 hours. It is filling our water tanks up, but it did make the drive to school a bit dicy. It is winters days like this that make me wish my little bug car was a bit bigger.
But the cold weather doesn't stop me grilling, grilled food is just better. Rain or shine grilled food tastes better!
The char lines add so much flavour, but you don't have to cook this grilled chicken on an outside grill. A heavy cast iron griddle pan will give you the same effect. Just have your cooker extractor fan on full, or you might find the smoke alarm alerts people that dinner is almost ready 😉
But however you cook it, don't be afraid of getting it hot and add some smoky grilled flavour to it. It balances the sweetness of the apple cider, and grilled smoky flavour just makes people happy, it tastes of summer barbies and days by the pool.
Just look at the super juicy flavour packed Apple Cider Thyme Grilled Chicken. Doesn't it make you want to grab a knife and fork and start eating!!!
Pin it here.
The chicken wants to sit in the marinade for at least 4 hours, this allows the flavours to penetrate the chicken. It also gives the salt and sugar time to work their magic and make the chicken super juicy.
I have had great success with placing the chicken and marinade in a zip lock bag in the freezer. It sits happily for a couple of months, then you can grab the bag out and it will continue to marinate as it defrosts. Super simple and perfect when you want a delicious dinner but don't have time to leave the chicken to marinate.
Enjoy x
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📖 Recipe
Grilled Apple Cider Thyme Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 chicken boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Peel the onion and garlic, then roughly chop them and add them to a large ziplock bag (or tupperware).
- Add in the apple cider, olive oil, fresh thyme, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar and black pepper.
- Smoosh everything together until well combined and then add in the chicken thighs.
- Carefully turn the ziplock bag over so the chicken is well coated and then place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours (up to 24 hours).
- Preheat the grill or griddle pan. Cook the chicken over a medium high heat for 8 minutes until you have a nice charred crust. Flip the chicken and cook for a further 8 minutes.
- Check the chicken is cooked through and then serve with a garnish of fresh time and some slices of lemon.
Nutrition
Emilia says
I am thinking of baking the girls in their marinade... Let's see how they like it!
Emilia says
I wonder if this would work on the stove. I know there is a BIG difference when you grill something, but wondering nevertheless. I love all the ingredients but don't feel like standing outside in the cold...
Claire McEwen says
Hi Emilia,
I have used the marinade for chicken and then cooked it inside using a flat griddle pan (the one with ridges on it) and it works fabulously.
Hope that helps 🙂
Cx
Kathleen says
Am trying this with chicken breasts instead of thighs since people here not fans. Sounds great!
BTW love your pasta with chicken broth butter and parmesan soup. It's fabulous! 5 stars for that!
Claire McEwen says
Oh thank you Kathleen, that broth is one of my feeling under the weather favs!
I think this will be great with chicken thighs but it will need less cooking 😀 I hope everyone enjoys it.
Beth says
I love the sound of this marinade! The apple cider must give a great sweet, yet slightly tangy flavor!! I can't wait to get my grill going again to make these beauties!!
Claire McEwen says
It really does, and it helps to tenderise the chicken too 😀
Rebecca says
I want some right now!
Claire McEwen says
Hehe, I am like that about so many dishes I see!
Joyce says
Holy moly this chicken absolutely amazing! I can't wait til the weather is a bit warmer, I will definitely be making this. I had never thought to use apple cider vinegar as a marinade! Such a flavour bomb! 🙂
Claire McEwen says
It is a flavour bomb and it helps to tenderise the chicken too 😀
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
THAT is the prettiest looking grilled chicken I've ever seen! Purrrr-fect charring! I wish I was near a grill right now!
Claire McEwen says
I do love to grill 😉
Ann says
I don't know why I always wait for summer to grill! You're totally right, I could make these in my cast iron grill pan year round. Actually, I think that would be a very good idea, that marinade sounds wonderful 🙂
Claire McEwen says
I love the flavor of grilled meat too much to wait until summer 😉
Thank you
All That I'm Eating says
I love chicken marinades like this, really simple to make and so full of flavour. I can see this turning up on my autumn kitchen table!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you, it is one we use so often.
I hope you love it 😀
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Claire. These sound wonderful. I love grilled chicken and these especially with the marinade and thyme. My thyme wintered over, but unfortunately when someone (I won't name HIM) weeded my side garden all my thyme got removed with the weeds. I've been checking your blog regularly and these newer recipes just showed up today, I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you.
Claire McEwen says
Oh Dorothy, I would never think that!
It is me that still needs to reply to your email. Life is just beyond crazy at the moment!!!