Oktoberfest Chicken and Red Cabbage

This Oktoberfest recipe features chicken thighs and red cabbage cooked with bacon and apple in a sweet and sour sauce for a German-inspired main dish.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 271 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 pounds skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon bacon drippings
• 1 large apple, cored and sliced
• 1 head red cabbage, cored and sliced
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 cup dry red wine
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 cup red wine vinegar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place bacon in a large oven-safe or cast iron skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate until cool; crumble bacon. Leave bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 3

Cook coated chicken thighs in drippings in the skillet over medium heat until browned, about 5 minutes per side; transfer chicken to a plate.

Step 4

Drain grease in the skillet except for 1 tablespoon; cook and stir onion and apple in hot grease until onion is translucent and apple is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in red cabbage and crumbled bacon; season with kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, until cabbage is softened, 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 5

Pour vinegar and red wine into the skillet. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined. Bring to a boil; cook until sauce is reduced by half, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Arrange chicken thighs on top of cabbage in the skillet.

Step 6

Whisk together flour, kosher salt, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl until evenly combined. Coat chicken thighs evenly in seasoned flour.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until cabbage is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).