Spiced Apple Chicken

I always end up with half-empty bottles of wine in the fridge.  Neither the Dude nor I are fairly big drinkers, but we tend to host dinner parties or luncheons a lot and our guests will often bring us a bottle of wine.  Once at a crowded dinner, we had three bottles open and on the table.  They then sat fermenting in our fridge for four weeks.  Sheesh.  What better way to use up wine (especially once it has started to turn) than as a cooking ingredient?

This particular chicken marinade is very easy to make, but can also be "fancied up" for a deeper flavor. I will list both ways to prepare this chicken.

Quantities:  Depending on how large a pan of chicken you make, you may want to increase the quantities.  The quantities listed below are intended for a 9x9 pan ( 4 pieces) of chicken. I tend to view these types of measurements as more guidelines than rules.  Especially when I'm in a rush.  Luckily, it still tastes delicious. 

Ingredients:

• Semisweet red wine (I used a 2012 Sion Creek Red by Golan wineries that was starting to turn), 1 cup
• Cinnamon, 1 TBSP
•  Nutmeg, 1 Tsp
• Allspice, 1 Tsp
• Cloves, 1/2 Tsp
• Chicken (4 pieces, sliced thin)
• Apple slices (I used Red Delicious)
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

 Fast 'n Easy way to prepare:

1. Slice chicken thin and place in lightly greased pan
2. Add wine.  There should be just enough for the chicken to be lying peacefully like a child in a kiddie pool, not paddling frantically like a dog in the diving zone.
3. Sprinkle cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg over chicken
4. Place apple slices atop chicken.  Balance them like a goat on a tightrope.  Cover. 
5. Bake at 350 degrees, covered, for 50 minutes.  Remove cover and bake at same temperature for another 10 minutes.
6. While chicken is cooking, do whatever else is on your "to do" list.  You wouldn't be doing this the fast 'n easy way if you had the time to dawdle. Get to it!
7. Remove chicken from oven and garnish with optional walnuts before serving.  

Fancied Up way to prepare:

1. In a saucepan, bring wine to a boil.
2. Add spices and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Slice chicken thin and place in lightly greased pan
5. Pour HALF of the spiced wine over the chicken.  Place apple slices atop the chicken, and pour the remainder of the wine.   
6. Allow to marinate for an hour while you use your free time to daydream.
7. Bake at 350 degrees, covered, for 50 minutes.  Remove cover and bake at same temperature for another 10 minutes.
8. While the chicken is cooking, lightly toast the walnuts in olive oil and cinnamon. 
9.  Leisurely use the rest of your time to contemplate your cuticles.
10. Remove chicken from oven and garnish with optional walnuts before serving.

I made my husband eat it and he liked it, so this recipe is Dude-approved!