Description
This Autumn Harvest Chicken Skillet combines tender, seared chicken breasts with the sweet and savory flavors of fresh apples, onions, and thyme in a comforting apple cider sauce. Perfect for crisp fall evenings, this recipe is easy to prepare and serves as a delicious main course when paired with mashed potatoes or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Vegetables & Fruit
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 apples, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala work well)
Liquids & Seasonings
- 1 cup apple cider (not vinegar)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Generously season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onions: In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onions and cook for 3–4 minutes until they become softened and translucent, adding sweetness to the dish.
- Cook Apples: Stir in the sliced apples and cook for 2–3 minutes until they start to become slightly tender but still hold their shape.
- Add Liquids and Scrape: Pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet to incorporate rich flavors into the sauce.
- Simmer with Herbs and Chicken: Add the fresh or dried thyme leaves, return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, and simmer everything together for 8–10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve: Serve the chicken hot, spooning the flavorful apple and onion sauce over the top. This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Use apples that hold their shape when cooked, such as Honeycrisp or Gala, to avoid a mushy texture.
- Apple cider is preferred over vinegar for a sweeter, less acidic sauce.
- For a dairy-free option, use olive oil instead of butter.
- Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm autumnal twist.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Autumn Chicken Skillet, apple cider chicken, fall recipes, quick chicken dinner, sautéed chicken with apples
