Description
Sizzling “apple chicken skillet” brings hearty Midwestern comfort to dinner tables with rustic charm. Juicy chicken nestled among caramelized apples creates a perfect harmony of sweet and savory flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Cooking Liquids and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), sliced
- 1 medium shallot or ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider (not vinegar)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- Chopped fresh rosemary or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic spice blend by combining salt, pepper, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme. Thoroughly massage the seasoning into every surface of the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat and introduce olive oil. Carefully position the seasoned chicken, allowing each side to develop a rich golden crust for approximately 3-4 minutes. The goal is a beautiful sear, not complete cooking. Gently transfer the partially cooked chicken to a waiting plate.
- Reduce the skillet’s temperature to medium and introduce butter. As it melts, add sliced apples and shallots, allowing them to soften and caramelize gently, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Deglaze the skillet with apple cider, using a wooden spoon to liberate the flavorful browned bits clinging to the pan’s surface. Allow the liquid to simmer and concentrate its essence for several minutes.
- Incorporate cream, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar into the skillet. Let the mixture bubble and thicken, creating a luxurious sauce that coats the back of a spoon.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the fragrant sauce. Cover and allow to simmer on low heat, ensuring the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Once cooked, artfully arrange the chicken on serving plates. Cascade the apple-studded sauce over the meat and garnish with delicate sprigs of fresh rosemary or parsley. Accompany with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or crusty artisan bread.
Notes
- Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for extra flavor and juiciness, ensuring the meat stays tender during cooking.
- Opt for firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape and provide a nice tartness to balance the creamy sauce.
- Toast the spices briefly in the pan before seasoning the chicken to enhance their aromatic qualities and deepen the overall flavor profile.
- Adjust the sauce’s consistency by simmering longer for a thicker texture or adding a splash of cider if it becomes too reduced.
- Make this dish gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Create a lighter version by substituting cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lower-calorie alternative.
- Quickly slice shallots and apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg