Maple-Walnut Chicken Thighs and Cheddar-Apple Rice

By á-5100

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnut halves
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/4 cups long-grain white rice
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 honeycrisp, gala or golden delicious apple – peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 3/4 cup packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup packed fresh dill
• Salt and coarsely ground black pepper
• Once 6-ounce brick sharp white cheddar cheese, cut into small, 1/4 inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup dark maple syrup

Details

Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 35mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and roast5 until well toasted and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes.

In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the rice and toast for a minute or two. Add 2 cups chicken stock and bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the apple and simmer for 8 minutes.

While the rice cooks, using a food processor, pulse ¼ cup chicken stock, the parsley, dill and ¼ teaspoon salt until finely chopped. Stir into the rice during the last minute of cooking. Turn off the heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 1 to 2 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Transfer to a serving dish and stir in the cheese.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken dry and season liberally with salt and black pepper. Add to the skillet and cook, turning once, until browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat in the skillet and add the vinegar. Cook, scraping up the pan drippings, then add the remaining ¼ cup chicken stock, the maple syrup and black pepper to tasted. Cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Add the chicken and walnuts and spoon with the sauce. Loosely cover the pan with foil and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve the chicken, sauce and nuts with the rice alongside.