Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken Recipe
Craving cozy British comfort food? This Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken recipe delivers. Creamy cider sauce, tender chicken and golden apples.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on for flavor
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion sliced thinly
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 eating apples cored, sliced thick
- 150 ml dry cider
- 300 ml chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons double cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Pat chicken thighs dry. Season with salt, pepper. Dust lightly with flour. Shake off excess. This makes crispy skin and thick sauce.
Brown the Chicken
- Heat oil in casserole over medium-high. Brown chicken thighs 3-4 minutes per side. Golden crust forms. Remove to plate. Don't skip this flavor step!
Cook the Base
- Lower heat to medium. Add sliced onion. Cook 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic 1 minute. Stir in apple slices. Cook 3 minutes until they soften slightly.
Deglaze and Simmer
- Pour in cider. Scrape pan bits with wooden spoon. Add stock, thyme, bay leaf. Bring to simmer. Return chicken to dish, skin up. Cover tightly.
Oven Magic
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45 minutes. Check chicken is tender. Stir in cream. Cook uncovered 10 minutes. Sauce thickens beautifully. Garnish with parsley.
- This how to make Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken method feels like pub cooking at home.
Notes
- Bone-in thighs stay juiciest – don't swap breasts.
- Room-temp chicken browns better.
- Use Bramley apples for sharper tang.
- Thicken sauce with cornflour slurry if needed.
- Swap cider for apple juice for kids.
- Add smoked bacon for extra smokiness.
- Make creamy mushroom version with chestnut mushrooms.