Don’t discard your fire cider scraps. What many people don’t know is that you can use the fire cider remains to make marinades, chutneys, sauces and more! In this recipe, I’ll show you how to use the leftover fire cider scraps to as a marinade for chicken. This dish is like an elevated apple cider chicken, but made even better with the healing elixir, fire cider.
Fire cider is zesty, fiery tonic packed with ingredients like apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, horseradish, turmeric, and cayenne. A spoonful of fire cider can clear your sinuses, boost your immune system, and energize your day. There are many ways to make fire cider, but the base generally remains the same. Making fire cider from scratch is easy and if you haven’t done it yet, you can try my super popular Homemade Fire Cider Recipe or my Hibiscus Fire Cider Tonic.
You’ll need to start with your homemade fire cider, and when it’s ready to strain for use, gather all the spent herbs and vegetables (the leftover fire cider ingredients or scraps). There is so much that you can do with the leftover fire cider scraps. With this recipe I use the scraps to marinate chicken. Below are lots of other options you can try.
Ways To Use Fire Cider Scraps
- Dehydrate, Grind, and Make a Spice Blend. The spice blend is great for sprinkling on top of dips, popcorn, nuts, dressings, and more.
- Make a Salad Dressing: Blend the ingredients with a bit of oil and fire cider tonic to make a zesty salad dressing.
- Make a Chutney. Simply blend the scraps in a food processor. Add honey or a splash of fire cider to moisten the mixture. You can even add a few dates or dried fruits. The chutney will be a delightful spicy, sweet mixture to pair with your favorite dishes.
- Use it as a Marinade for Roast or Chicken: You can marinade the meat of choice in the leftover fire cider scraps and cook the meat with or without the scraps. If you cook the meat with the scraps you can then blend them until smooth to make a savory gravy to pair with your meal.
Fire Cider Tonic as a marinade is similar to using Apple Cider Vinegar, but better!
Apple cider vinegar is a fantastic marinade, and since it’s the base for making fire cider, using this nutrient-packed tonic takes things to the next level! Not only does fire cider offer the same tenderizing and flavor-enhancing properties as apple cider vinegar, but it also brings added health benefits, making it an even better choice for your marinades.
How To Make Fire Apple Cider Chicken
STEP 1: Season each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cover the chicken with the leftover fire cider veggies and herbs, plus 1/3 cup of fire cider tonic.
Marinate for at least 2 hours, or cover and refrigerate overnight. I recommend marinating the chicken overnight to help tenderize the chicken and give it deep flavor.
STEP 2: Heat up a grill, grill pan, or cast iron to medium high-heat. When it’s hot, lightly oil the pan and add the chicken. Cook it for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
I like to add a tablespoon or two of fire cider vinegar to the pan while the chicken cooks to add extra flavor. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet, put it on a plate and lightly cover it with foil.
STEP 3: I like to make sautéed apples with the chicken. This step is totally optional!
Carefully wipe out the pan with a clean cloth. Add the sliced apples to the skillet with a couple tablespoons of water and sauté until soft about 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and cook for an additional minute.
STEP 4: Add the chicken back into the skillet and cook for 1-2 more minutes to marry the flavors. Season with a pinch of salt and a few sprigs of thyme. Serve and Enjoy!
What To Eat With Your Fire Apple Cider Marinated Chicken
This tangy, tender chicken pairs well with just about anything! Here are a few of my favorite side dishes to pair with this chicken:
- Garlic-Herb Baked Okra
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- High Fiber Chickpea Salad
- Best Truffle Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Easy Radish Salad
- Greek Quinoa Salad
If you enjoyed this Fire Apple Cider Chicken recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Fire Apple Cider Chicken (made with fire cider)
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast
- 1/3 cup Fire cider vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- Spent fire cider veggies and herbs (leftover fire cider herbs and veggies)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Sea Salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, or to taste
Optional Sautéed Apples
- 2 Apples, sliced
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup optional
Instructions
- Season each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cover the chicken with the leftover fire cider veggies and herbs, plus 1/3 cup of fire cider tonic.
- Marinate for at least 2 hours, or cover and refrigerate overnight. I recommend marinating the chicken overnight to help tenderize the chicken and give it deep flavor.
- Heat up a grill, grill pan, or cast iron to medium high-heat. When it's hot, lightly oil the pan and add the chicken. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. (and internal temperature reaches at least 165°F)
- Add a tablespoon or two of fire cider vinegar to the pan while the chicken cooks to add extra flavor (or baste the chicken). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet, put it on a plate and lightly cover it with foil.
- OPTIONAL: Carefully wipe out the pan with a clean cloth. Add the sliced apples to the skillet and sauté until soft about 3 to 5 minutes with a couple tablespoons of water, add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup optional cook for an additional minute.
- Add the chicken back into the skillet and cook for 1-2 more minutes to marry the flavors. Season with a pinch of salt and a few sprigs of thyme. Serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
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