Name: Cider-Braised Chicken With Apples and Kale
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick; about 3 pounds); 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon country-style Dijon mustard; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 pink-skinned apples, cut into 1/2" wedges; 1/2 medium red onion, cut into 1/2" wedges; 1 cup dry white wine; 1 1/2 cups fresh apple cider, divided; 1 large or 2 small bunches curly kale (about 1 pound), stemmed, torn into pieces; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 3 tablespoons tarragon leaves (optional)

Braised chicken leg apples slices and kale on a plate.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Mustard-rubbed chicken legs get super-tender when braised in apple cider and white wine for this cozy fall dinner.

Recipe information

Total Time
45 minutes
Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

4 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick; about 3 pounds)

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon country-style Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 pink-skinned apples, cut into 1/2" wedges

1/2 medium red onion, cut into 1/2" wedges

1 cup dry white wine

1 1/2 cups fresh apple cider, divided

1 large or 2 small bunches curly kale (about 1 pound), stemmed, torn into pieces

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons tarragon leaves (optional)

Preparation

Step 1
Arrange rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 450°F. Season chicken all over with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper, then rub with 1/4 cup mustard, making sure to get mustard under skin.
Step 2
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large heatproof high-sided skillet or heavy braising pan over medium-high. Sear chicken, skin side down, until golden-brown, about 8 minutes. Turn chicken, then arrange apples and onion around chicken. Add wine and 1 cup cider, then transfer to oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, about 20 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, heat remaining 1/2 cup cider, 1 Tbsp. oil, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large pot over medium; add kale, cover, and cook until wilted. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, divide kale among plates.
Step 4
Transfer chicken, apples, and onion to plates with a slotted spoon. Heat remaining liquid in skillet over high. Add cream and remaining 1 tsp. mustard and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking constantly, until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
Step 5
Spoon sauce alongside chicken and kale. Garnish with tarragon, if desired.