Baked Chicken With Cider And Apples (Recipe)

Ingredients

3 pounds meaty chicken pieces

2 cups apple cider

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons applejack or apple cider

2 medium cooking apples, cored and cut into thin wedges

Steps

1. Wash the chicken pieces, pat dry and remove the skin and visible fat, if desired.  Place the chicken pieces in a large nonmetal bowl or container and pour the cider over the chicken.  Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning the pieces occasionally.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°.  Remove the chicken from the cider, reserving the cider.

3. In a shallow bowl or plastic bag, combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt and pepper.  Coat the chicken pieces with flour mixture.  (If using a plastic bag, a few at a time.  Close the bag and shake to coat the pieces  well.)

4. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in a 3-quart rectangular baking dish.  Bake in the 350° oven for 30 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cider, the brown sugar and applejack or apple cider.  Stir in the apple slices.

6. After the chicken has baked for 30 minutes, pour the apple mixture over it, then continue to bake about 25 minutes more or until the chicken is tender and no longer pink, basting occasionally with the pan juices.

Tips:

Many varieties of "cooking" apples are available throughout the year and each has a unique flavor.  The following tend to be slightly to moderately tart: Baldwin, Cortland, Gravenstein, Grimes Golden, Jonathan, McIntosh, Rome Beauty and Wealthy.  If you prefer a sweeter cooking apple, try Golden Delicious, whereas if you prefer a tarter cooking apple, try Winesap.

From : America's Best-Loved Community Recipes