Description
A quick, budget-friendly one-pan weeknight dinner featuring seared chicken breasts simmered in a sweet and savory apple cider glaze with thyme and apples.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium apples (Gala or Honeycrisp), sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Pound thick breasts to 1/2-inch thickness for even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the pan and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and thyme, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add sliced apples to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in apple cider, scraping up brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, honey, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt. Pour into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the apple mixture. Spoon sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low-medium heat for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken and apples to a serving platter. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in butter until melted. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.
Notes
Do not crowd the pan to ensure proper searing. Use real apple cider, not juice or vinegar. Scrape the fond (brown bits) from the bottom of the pan for maximum flavor. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using certified gluten-free broth and cider.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken breast, apple cider, skillet dinner, weeknight dinner, one pan meal, fall recipes, budget dinner, easy chicken recipe