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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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