Skillet Apple Cider Chicken: Cozy Fall Flavors in One Delicious Pan

Introduction

Skillet Apple Cider Chicken brings the best of autumn directly to your dinner table, melding tender chicken with tart-sweet apples, tangy apple cider, and savory herbs all in one pan. The result is a comforting dish layered with flavor, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed Sunday suppers. The best part? You get a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal cleanup, thanks to everything coming together in a single skillet.

Deliciously Unique Skillet Apple Cider Chicken

This recipe stands out for its harmonious blend of sweet apple cider and savory aromatics, enhanced by a medley of fall-inspired herbs. The sauce thickens naturally as it simmers, coating sautéed chicken breasts and soft apples in a glossy, mouthwatering glaze. It’s a meal that captures the essence of autumn — complex, cozy, and incredibly satisfying — all while being simple to prepare.

Preparing the Perfect Apple Cider Sauce

The sauce is the heart of this dish: start by deglazing the pan with apple cider after browning the chicken, then add sliced apples, onions, and just a touch of Dijon mustard. Simmering everything together develops rich layers of sweetness, brightness, and savory flavor. A splash of apple cider vinegar cuts the sweetness for perfect balance, while fresh thyme or sage infuses the sauce with unmistakable fall fragrance.

Assembling Your Skillet Apple Cider Chicken

After searing the chicken to a golden brown, nestle the pieces back into the skillet atop the simmering apples and onions. Baste with the reduced cider sauce and finish in the oven or on the stovetop until the chicken is fully cooked. This technique locks in moisture, ensuring each bite is juicy, flavorful, and comforting.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Skillet Apple Cider Chicken

Serve your Skillet Apple Cider Chicken over creamy mashed potatoes, buttery egg noodles, or wild rice to soak up all that amazing sauce. Steamed green beans or roasted root veggies make lovely sides, highlighting the seasonal appeal of this meal. Garnish with fresh parsley or more thyme for a vibrant finishing touch.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves four and provides approximately 350–400 calories per serving, plus added nutrients from apples and onions. Lean chicken breast keeps it wholesome, while the cider-infused sauce offers antioxidants and depth of flavor.

Deliciously Unique Skillet Apple Cider Chicken (Recap)

Combining natural sweetness, herbal depth, and savory chicken, this dish is a quintessential fall favorite. It’s the answer when you crave comfort food that’s easy to cook, impressive to serve, and packed with seasonal flavor.

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Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add onion and apples. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until onions soften and apples begin to turn golden.
4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Pour in apple cider, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Stir in Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and fresh herbs.
6. Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the apples and onions. Spoon some sauce over the chicken.
7. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
8. If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir together cornstarch and water. Stir into the pan and simmer uncovered for 2–3 minutes, until thickened.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve chicken with apples, onions, and sauce, garnishing with more fresh herbs if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for weekly meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe to plan when you’ll make it and automatically generate smart shopping lists sorted by grocery category.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient amounts across all your planned recipes
– Prevents duplicate items and helps avoid forgotten ingredients
– Organizes your shopping list by grocery store sections
– Makes weekly meal prep smoother, less stressful, and more efficient

Pro tip: When planning your week, schedule your meals to let CookifyAI calculate how much you’ll need of every ingredient. No more guesswork or overbuying—just smart shopping for fresh and flavorful meals.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes