Description
A cozy, budget-friendly one-pan meal featuring chicken thighs, apple sausage, and sweet apples in a savory cider sauce. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 pound apple sausage links (sliced into half-moons)
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), sliced ¼-inch thick
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 2 cups fresh spinach
- Optional: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Slice apples, dice onion, mince garlic, and slice sausage. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Heat olive oil and half the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add sausage slices to the same pan and cook 4-5 minutes until browned. Remove to the plate with the chicken.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Add onion to the skillet and cook 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Push onions to the side, add apple slices, and cook 2 minutes. Pour in apple cider, scraping up brown bits from the pan bottom. Simmer 3-4 minutes until liquid reduces by half.
- Return chicken and sausage to the pan. Stir to coat in sauce, add cinnamon, and cook 1-2 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Serve immediately over mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before cooking to ensure proper searing. Do not overcrowd the pan. If the sauce is too thin, simmer longer or use a cornstarch slurry. If too sweet, add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. Apples should be sliced thick to prevent mushiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with sides
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken and apple sausage skillet, one pan dinner, family dinner, budget friendly meals, easy weeknight dinner, fall recipes, 5 ingredient recipes