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Easy Crispy Sheet Pan Harvest Chicken Thighs Recipe with Apples and Fennel for Perfect Fall Dinner

crispy sheet pan harvest chicken thighs - featured image
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A quick and easy sheet pan recipe featuring crispy chicken thighs roasted with sweet-tart apples and caramelized fennel, perfect for a cozy fall dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs / 900 g)
  • 2 medium firm apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and sliced
  • 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or rosemary as a substitute)
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Core the apples and slice into wedges about ½ inch thick. Trim the fennel, remove the stalks, and slice the bulb thinly.
  4. In a mixing bowl, toss the apples and fennel with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, fresh thyme leaves, smashed garlic, a pinch of salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar if using.
  5. Arrange the apples and fennel in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan, leaving space for the chicken thighs.
  6. Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on top of the apples and fennel. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken.
  7. Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Check around 30 minutes to turn the chicken if needed.
  8. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for extra crispy skin, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Use high heat (425°F) for roasting. Turn chicken halfway through cooking for even browning. Tent apples with foil if they cook faster than chicken to prevent burning. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to keep juices locked in. Optional broil at end for extra crisp skin. Can substitute boneless thighs (reduce cooking time by 5-7 minutes).

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, sheet pan dinner, fall recipe, apples, fennel, crispy chicken, easy dinner, one pan meal, gluten-free, dairy-free

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/easy-crispy-sheet-pan-harvest-chicken-thighs-recipe-with-apples-and-fennel-for-perfect-fall-dinner/