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Home » Recipe » Hoof & Feather » Chicken » Chicken with Apples

Chicken with Apples

Published on August 3, 2014 by Elizabeth Atia 27 Comments
Last Updated on January 28, 2019

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Chicken with Apples by Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

I’ve recently read the fantastic début novel Vanilla Salt by top Catalan chef Ada Parellada. You can read my review of the novel (and a giveaway if you fancy winning a copy for yourself!) by > clicking here <. Briefly, the book is about a disgruntled Catalan chef whose world is turned upside down with the sudden appearance of a red-headed Canadian foodie. I thoroughly enjoyed the cooking scenes and the first one, on pages 4-5 of the book, transported me straight to a Catalan kitchen. I was inspired to try the recipe described in the text myself, to see if I could turn Parellada’s vivid mouthwatering description into something I could consume and enjoy in my own kitchen.

The apples are ready. He sautés them in a little butter with a sprinkling of sugar until they glow with the golden tones of the setting sun. He then puts them aside in a bowl and, as usual when he makes this dish, can’t resist having a taste. They’re divine, and their intense fragrance pervades the kitchen. The feeling is difficult to describe, but it takes him back to the family kitchen, when he was a little kid and the house rang with laughter.

In a medium-sized casserole he browns the chicken thighs in olive oil and then adds the chopped onion and a clove of garlic. He turns the heat down and lets it all cook slowly. Now it’s time to add a generous dash of brandy, and, as part of the recipe, have a tipple himself, because his communion with the chicken must be complete, body and soul. Perked up by the brandy, the chicken starts singing, at first with great gusto, then finishing with the sweet murmur of a little hymn to spring. After tipping in the brandy and draining his own glass Alex sings too, his renditoin of Lluis Llach: “Pull, pull together and we’ll all be free…”

This is a strange ritual he often indulges in. Each dish has its own song and Lluis Llach is great for chicken with apples. Now he covers the chicken thighs with broth and keeps them simmering. “If we pull together, the tyrant will fall, and bad times will end in no time at all.”

– Vanilla Salt, Ada Parellada (2014)

I confess that although I was very tempted by the description I was sceptical that it would not live up to my expectations. There’s no mention of seasoning, no herbs, no salt and pepper, just apples, butter, sugar, chicken, onions, garlic, brandy and stock. Could this taste as good as the description with such simple ingredients? I’ve never been to Catalonia, I know very little of the area and its cuisine, but I understand, from this book, that simple uncomplicated flavours using fresh produce and good quality ingredients are a must.

I prepared the dish with the novel open beside the cooker. The apples were just finishing when my youngest son, who had been playing outside in the glorious sunshine, came in and remarked, “Mam, that smells really nice! Your chicken and apples smells nice!” So far so good!

The proof was in the eating though, and I served the chicken with apples simply with some freshly harvested steamed Shetland kale. It was superb! Very inexpensive, easy to make and the flavours…. oh goodness, they were a perfect medley of buttery sweet apples and succulent chicken. This delicious dish will be a regular in our household from now on.

Linking up with Read, Cook, eat a literary food challenge by Galina over at Chez Maximka and Chris at Cooking Around the World.

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Table of Contents

  • Chicken with Apples
    • Affiliate Links
    • Instructions 
    • Environmental Information
    • SOME OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Chicken with Apples

A simple chicken and apples dish inspired by Catalan chef Ada Parellada's debut novel Vanilla Salt.
0 from 0 votes
Print Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 3 people
Author: Elizabeth

Ingredients

  • 6 apples peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
  • 35 grams butter
  • 2 generous pinches caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 chicken thighs
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 50 ml brandy (plus one for you!)
  • 250 ml chicken stock
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Affiliate Links

This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Instructions 

  • Melt butter in a large pan over a medium high heat and gently sauté the apples with a sprinkling of sugar until they begin to colour, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside in a bowl.
  • In the same pan, heat the olive oil. Brown the chicken fillets on both sides until golden.
  • Add the onion and garlic and cook for a further five minutes.
  • Pour in the brandy and cook for a few minutes before adding the chicken stock.
  • Turn the heat down to medium low, loosely cover the pan with a lid and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes.

Environmental Information

Tried this recipe?Mention @TangoRaindrop or tag #elizabethskitchendiary!

SOME OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Slow cooked chicken Italian by Fab Food 4 All
Chicken, Bacon, Mushroom & Crème Fraiche Pasta by Kavey Eats
Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks and Why You Shouldn’t Wash Raw Chicken by My Golden Pear
Chicken Thigh, Sausage and Wild Garlic Stew by Belleau Kitchen

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Filed Under: Chicken, Recipe Tagged With: #ReadCookEat, Catalan

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Comments

  1. Maya Russell says

    March 3, 2015 at 7:00 am

    Never cooked chicken & apples before. Never thought about it. Looks good.

    Reply
  2. Debbie Skerten says

    October 22, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Sounds lovely.

    Reply
  3. bev says

    September 5, 2014 at 9:14 am

    Looks a nice but different combination!

    Reply
  4. Kate says

    August 27, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    An intriguing combination – I’ll look forward to trying it when the apples on my tree are ripe! And I second the Calvados suggestion!

    Reply
  5. Heather Haigh says

    August 20, 2014 at 9:38 am

    It may seem boring but I really do love chicken. Oddly enough I was only thinking yesterday (having bought a huge bag of apples) of trying chicken with apples – as I do love pork with apples but wanted a change – I will definitely go for it now.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 20, 2014 at 10:00 am

      I’m a big fan of chicken too. Nothing beats a Sunday roast chicken! Do let me know what you think of the recipe if you try it – I was really pleasantly surprised at how the simple flavours worked so well together.

      Reply
      • Heather Haigh says

        November 23, 2014 at 2:10 am

        It was simply lovely. I do love ‘simple’ flavours that just work well. mmmmmm

        Reply
  6. Emily @amummytoo says

    August 12, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    That looks amazing. It’s not a combination I’ve cooked but I can imagine the whole family enjoying it. It looks gorgeous in the pan.

    Reply
  7. Paul Wilson says

    August 10, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    Very nearly apple season!

    Reply
  8. Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes says

    August 8, 2014 at 11:02 am

    Not a combination I’ve tried before but it’s one I’d love to cook though I’d be tempted to get hold of some Calvados to give it a French twist 🙂

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 8, 2014 at 11:26 am

      Oh that sounds rather nice!

      Reply
  9. Katie Corr says

    August 6, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    This looks+ sounds FAB! I’d never think of combining the two but i will now after this, thanks!X

    Reply
  10. Kate - gluten free alchemist says

    August 6, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    What a lovely inspiration! Chicken and apple is such a wonderful combination and this looks like a delightful meal!

    Reply
  11. Kim Carberry says

    August 6, 2014 at 11:14 am

    That does sound absolutely delicious!! Looks it too….

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 6, 2014 at 11:18 am

      Thanks Kim 🙂 It really is quite lovely and simple to make.

      Reply
  12. Holly Nelson says

    August 5, 2014 at 1:51 am

    Gah…why am. I a vegetarian!!! That does sound fantastic!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 5, 2014 at 7:29 am

      Thanks Holly – maybe try a veggie alternative… hrrmm… ponders…

      Reply
  13. Jan @GlugofOil says

    August 3, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    Now this is my kind of food – lovely, simple and I bet really tasty.

    Reply
  14. Camilla @FabFood4All says

    August 3, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Ooh that does sound good Elizabeth must see if I have some brandy! Thanks for featuring my Slow Cooked Chicken Italian:-)

    Reply
  15. Galina V says

    August 3, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    I love the combination of meat and fruit, and have eaten chicken with apples, though cooked differently. This is a dish I would really enjoy, so flavourful. The description from the book makes me want to read it all, and it’s perfect for our #ReadCookEat challenge. Thank you very much for taking part!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 3, 2014 at 3:26 pm

      It’s a very good book – do enter my giveaway if you fancy a chance at winning one 🙂

      Reply
  16. Laura says

    August 3, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    I never would have put apples with chicken but your description has convinced me otherwise. I’m going to pass this onto my mum because I htink it’s one whe might like come autumn =)

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 3, 2014 at 3:36 pm

      Oh I hope you do try it! The combination is positively magical. I think the key is not to overcook the apples – they should retain their shape but have a gorgeous golden colour.

      Reply
  17. Chris says

    August 3, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    Oh, that sounds very lovely to me. Simple is a good thing. Thank you for sharing with#ReadCookEat.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 3, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks Chris – it was rather good if I do say so myself! We will be eating it fairly frequently in our house, I think!

      Reply
  18. Kavey says

    August 3, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    Oh this looks utterly gorgeous and I love that passage that inspired you! Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      August 3, 2014 at 1:46 pm

      Thanks Kavey 🙂 Isn’t that an evocative passage – I just wanted to jump into the page and start eating!

      Reply

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Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home - for now. One eye is always on the horizon. Read More…

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