Description
A cozy, one-pan weeknight meal featuring juicy chicken thighs and caramelized apples in a savory-sweet cider sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and black pepper (generous amounts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 medium firm apples (Honeycrisp and/or Granny Smith), sliced into quarter-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Slice apples, dice onion, mince garlic, and pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and thyme, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add apple slices and butter to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes to start caramelizing. Pour in apple cider and Dijon mustard, scraping up brown bits from the bottom. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until apples are tender.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nesting it into the apples. Spoon sauce over the chicken and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh thyme and black pepper.
Notes
Pat chicken dry for a better sear. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to prevent mushiness. This recipe is naturally gluten-free but check cider labels. Can be made dairy-free by omitting butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: chicken and apple skillet, fall dinner, one pan meal, quick weeknight dinner, comfort food, easy chicken recipe, seasonal cooking