Sizzling Apple Chicken Skillet Recipe: Tangy Sweet Fusion

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delicious solutions like this rustic apple chicken skillet that blends sweet and savory flavors effortlessly.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with caramelized apples, creating a harmonious dance of taste in one pan.

Hearty and comforting, this skillet brings warmth to your table with minimal cleanup.

Fragrant herbs and a touch of cinnamon elevate each bite, making ordinary ingredients extraordinary.

The pan-seared chicken develops a golden crust while the apples soften and release their natural sweetness.

One-pan meals like this save time without compromising on flavor or satisfaction.

Serve this delectable dish straight from the skillet and watch as everyone eagerly reaches for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Apple Chicken Skillet

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps draw out moisture from chicken.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, slightly spicy kick to the dish.
• Coriander: Brings subtle citrusy and nutty undertones to the seasoning blend.
• Cinnamon: Provides warm, sweet complexity that complements the apples.
• Nutmeg: Adds gentle, aromatic depth to the spice mixture.
• Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal notes that pair beautifully with chicken.

• Olive Oil: Creates perfect searing surface for golden-brown chicken exterior.
• Butter: Provides rich, silky base for sautéing apples and developing sauce's depth.
• Shallots: Offer delicate, sweet onion flavor without overwhelming other ingredients.

• Chicken: Main protein that absorbs spices and creates hearty meal centerpiece.
• Apples: Bring natural sweetness and soft texture to the skillet dish.
• Apple Cider: Deepens flavor profile and creates delicious pan deglazing liquid.
• Heavy Cream: Transforms sauce into luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy, sharp undertone to balance sweet and creamy elements.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces caramel-like sweetness and helps sauce thicken.

• Fresh Rosemary: Provides bright, piney aroma and elegant finishing touch.
• Parsley: Offers fresh, clean flavor and vibrant green color accent.

Tools To Cook Apple Chicken Skillet

• Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken and making the entire dish.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing and combining dry seasonings.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing apples and shallots.
• Sharp knife: Critical for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and scraping pan while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate seasoning measurements.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature.
• Plate: Used for transferring and resting chicken during cooking process.

Steps To Make Apple Chicken Skillet

• Awaken the Flavors

Blend an exciting mix of spices to create a flavor explosion. Massage the seasoning blend into the chicken, ensuring every inch is coated with deliciousness.

• Dance the Chicken in the Pan

Sizzle olive oil in a hot skillet and gently brown the chicken until it develops a golden, crispy exterior. Remove and set aside, letting anticipation build.

• Bring Apples and Shallots to Life

Melt butter in the same skillet and introduce sliced apples and shallots. Let them soften and mingle, releasing their sweet and savory notes.

• Create a Magical Liquid Symphony

Pour apple cider into the pan, stirring and lifting all those incredible caramelized bits. Allow the liquid to reduce and concentrate its magical flavors.

• Craft the Creamy Dream Sauce

Introduce cream, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Let the sauce simmer and transform into a velvety, rich coating that promises pure comfort.

• Unite the Elements

Return the chicken to the pan, letting it bathe in the luscious sauce. Cover and allow everything to merge into a harmonious dish, ensuring the chicken reaches perfect doneness.

• Present Your Culinary Masterpiece

Shower with fresh herbs and serve alongside your favorite companion – whether it’s creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or crusty bread.

Tasty Touches For Apple Chicken Skillet

• Smart Seasoning Strategy: Prep the chicken spice mix ahead of time in a large batch to save cooking prep moments and have it ready for quick weeknight meals.
• Apple Cider Magic: For deeper flavor, choose an artisan or unfiltered apple cider instead of standard grocery store varieties to enhance the sauce's complexity and richness.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Replace apple cider with chicken broth and use a sugar substitute like erythritol to make this dish keto-friendly without losing the delicious savory-sweet profile.
• Vegetarian Twist: Swap chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushroom steaks, adjusting cooking times to ensure proper texture and maintaining the same elegant spice blend and apple sauce approach.
• Make-Ahead Master: Prepare the entire dish up to the final simmering stage, then store in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in the skillet when ready to serve, which can help develop even more intense flavor layers.

Serving Tips For Apple Chicken Skillet

• Rustic Comfort Plate: Serve this hearty chicken dish over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious apple-cider sauce.
• Harvest Bread Companion: Pair with thick slices of crusty artisan bread to mop up every last drop of the rich, sweet-savory sauce.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Scatter chopped fresh rosemary or parsley on top for a bright, aromatic touch that adds color and fresh flavor to the dish.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the apple and chicken flavors with a crisp white wine like Riesling or a light Pinot Grigio that echoes the meal's subtle sweetness.

How To Store Apple Chicken Skillet

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety.
• Freezing Technique: Cool chicken completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently to maintain moisture.
• Reheating Method: Warm chicken in skillet over medium-low heat with splash of apple cider to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave with damp paper towel covering dish, stirring halfway through for even heating.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare seasoning mix and slice apples in advance. Store prepped ingredients separately in refrigerator for quick weeknight cooking. Chicken can be seasoned up to 24 hours before cooking for enhanced flavor penetration.

Rustic Apple Chicken Skillet Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savory apple chicken skillet brings together succulent chicken and sweet autumn apples in one pan. Hearty ingredients meld perfectly, creating a comforting meal you can easily prepare for family dinners.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts or thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup apple cider (not vinegar)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), sliced
• 1 medium shallot or ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
• Chopped fresh rosemary or parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Craft a robust spice blend by thoroughly massaging salt, pepper, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme into every surface of the chicken, creating a deeply flavored exterior.
2. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, strategically searing the seasoned chicken for 3-4 minutes per side to develop a golden, caramelized crust. Transfer partially cooked chicken to a holding plate.
3. Aromatic Base Development: Reduce skillet heat to medium, melt butter, and gently caramelize sliced apples and shallots until they release their natural sweetness and develop a soft, translucent texture.
4. Flavor Intensification: Deglaze the skillet with apple cider, scraping up the concentrated flavor bits. Introduce cream, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, allowing the mixture to bubble and transform into a velvety, rich sauce.
5. Final Cooking Process: Carefully return chicken to the skillet, submerging it in the fragrant sauce. Simmer covered on low heat until the chicken reaches a safe 165°F internal temperature, ensuring tender, perfectly cooked meat.
6. Elegant Presentation: Plate the chicken, lavishly draping it with the apple-infused sauce. Embellish with delicate fresh rosemary or parsley sprigs, accompanied by your choice of mashed potatoes, rice, or artisan bread to complete the culinary experience.

Notes

• Spice Precision: Massage the spice blend thoroughly into chicken, ensuring even and complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
• Searing Technique: Aim for a golden crust, not fully cooking the chicken during initial searing; this locks in juices and creates deeper flavor complexity.
• Sauce Consistency: Watch the sauce carefully while simmering; it should thicken enough to coat a spoon without becoming too reduced or dry.
• Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F, preventing overcooking while ensuring food safety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg