Name: Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 6 boneless chicken breasts, skin on; 75g unsalted butter; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 onions, sliced; 4 tbsp plain flour; 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard; 2 dessert apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into batons; 110g button mushrooms, sliced; 250ml chicken stock; 300ml cider; 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped; 250ml double cream; 300g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

This creamy Somerset chicken is made with skin-on chicken breasts, dessert apples, double cream, tangy cider, and a bubbling mature Cheddar topping. The savoury cider sauce with sage and wholegrain mustard brings rich West Country flavours to every bite. It serves six and is ready in just 45 minutes.

I make this every autumn when the new season cider arrives. It is one of those recipes that looks impressive but comes together with very little effort.

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Somerset Chicken Ingredients

For the Chicken and Sauce:

6 boneless chicken breasts, skin on
75g unsalted butter
3 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, peeled and sliced
4 tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
2 dessert apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into batons
110g button mushrooms, sliced
250ml chicken stock
300ml cider
1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
250ml double cream
300g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

To Serve:

6 jacket potatoes
Extra butter, to serve
Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Somerset Chicken

Prepare the chicken: Preheat your oven to 200°C (Gas Mark 6). Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper.
Sear the chicken: Heat half the butter and olive oil in a large frying pan. Fry the chicken breasts in batches, skin-side down first, for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer them to a deep-sided oven-safe dish.
Roast the chicken: Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.
Cook the sauce base: While the chicken is roasting, add the remaining butter and oil to the same frying pan. Cook the sliced onions for 4 to 5 minutes until they are soft.
Build the sauce: Stir the flour and mustard into the softened onions and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the sliced apples and mushrooms and cook for 1 minute.
Simmer the sauce: Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil, scraping any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the cider, return to a boil, and cook gently for 5 minutes. Stir in the double cream and sage, simmer for another 5 minutes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and finish: Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the finished sauce over the chicken breasts. Preheat your grill to high. Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Grill and serve: Place the dish under the hot grill for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling. Serve straight away with jacket potatoes.

What Tips Help Somerset Chicken Turn Out Best?

Choose a dry, still cider: Sweet or sparkling ciders can make the sauce overly sweet or create too much foam during cooking. A proper West Country scrumpy works perfectly.
Keep the skin on: The skin-on breasts brown well and add a rich, savoury layer to the finished dish. You can also try this technique with Hairy Bikers Somerset pork.
Grate your own cheese: Block Cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-grated bags, which often contain anti-caking agents.
Season at every stage: Seasoning the chicken and the sauce separately builds layers of flavour. Taste the sauce before pouring it over the chicken.

What Should I Serve With This?

Jacket potatoes are the classic pairing and soak up the creamy cider sauce beautifully. Buttery mashed potatoes or simple boiled new potatoes also work well. Add a side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or a fresh rocket and watercress salad to cut through the richness of the cheese and cream.

How Should I Store Leftovers?

Cool the chicken completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until piping hot throughout.

You can freeze this dish for up to 2 months, but the creamy sauce may separate slightly when thawed. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat on the hob, stirring to bring the sauce back together.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 922 kcal
Total Fat: 58.6g
Saturated Fat: 32.2g
Cholesterol: 161mg
Sodium: 1.99g
Total Carbohydrate: 38.0g
Dietary Fibre: 15g
Sugars: 8.7g
Protein: 58.7g

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Somerset chicken? Somerset chicken is a classic West Country dish that pairs chicken with local cider, apples, double cream, and a bubbling Cheddar cheese topping. It celebrates the best produce from the Somerset region of England.

How does Hairy Bikers Somerset chicken compare to Sainsbury’s version? The Hairy Bikers version melts grated Cheddar over the top and finishes under the grill, while the Sainsbury’s recipe stirs the cheese into the sauce to keep the chicken skin crispy.

Can I make this with chicken thighs instead? Yes, bone-in thighs add extra flavour and stay moist. Increase the roasting time by about 10 minutes and check the thickest part reads 75°C before serving.

Is Somerset chicken the same as chicken cider casserole? They share a cider base, but Somerset chicken always includes apples, mustard, sage, and a grilled Cheddar topping. A cider casserole may use different herbs and skip the cheese finish.

Can I use non-alcoholic cider? You can, though the sauce will taste slightly sweeter. Add a splash of white wine vinegar to balance the flavour if you go alcohol-free.

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