Ingredients
6 slices meaty bacon, chopped 1/2-inch dice
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Salt and pepper
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
6 large shallots, peeled and quartered
16-18 large Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
Freshly-grated nutmeg, about 1/8 teaspoon
1 1/2 cups cloudy cider or hard cider
About 1/4 cup grainy mustard
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
Preparation
Heat a large skillet, cast-iron or other, over medium-high heat, then render bacon 3-4 minutes and remove to paper or kitchen towel. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan, add chicken and brown on both sides, about 10 minutes or so, remove, then add shallots and sprouts cut-side down, cook 5-6 minutes, then toss a couple of minutes more while you whisk up sauce.
In a bowl, whisk up cider or hard cider, freshly-grated nutmeg, mustard, maple syrup and thyme.
Nest the chicken into the sprouts and shallots and pour sauce over, then partially cover and simmer 10-12 minutes more.
