Description
Apple Cider Chicken delivers a cozy, flavor-packed skillet dinner. Juicy chicken breasts sear golden, then simmer in a glossy apple cider glaze with caramelized onions, garlic, thyme, and a touch of cinnamon. A drizzle of honey and Dijon mustard rounds out sweet and savory notes, while apple slices brighten the sauce. This 5-ingredient, one-pan dish is perfect for weeknights or festive fall gatherings, pairing beautifully with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup apple cider (non-alcoholic)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp thyme
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or sage, for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add sliced onion. Cook until soft and caramelized, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, thyme, and cinnamon, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add apple cider, broth, Dijon mustard, and honey. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Return chicken to the skillet along with apple slices. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or sage and serve warm over mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- For a thicker glaze, simmer sauce a few extra minutes or uncover even longer to reduce.
- To keep it gluten-free, use a gluten-free Dijon mustard and ensure broth is GF.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Swap apples for pears for a different twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, simmering in skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken breast with sauce)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: Apple Cider Chicken, Fall chicken recipe, 5-ingredient dinner, cozy autumn dinner, easy weeknight meal, apples in chicken, Dijon honey glaze