Description
Skillet Apple Cider Chicken is a cozy one-pan meal with tender chicken thighs simmered in a spiced apple cider sauce with apples and shallots. It’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknights or fall entertaining.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp light or dark brown sugar
2 cups (250 g) apple slices, 1/4-inch thick (no need to peel)
1/3 cup (40 g) chopped shallots (or yellow onion)
1/3 cup (80 ml) apple cider (not vinegar)
Optional: fresh thyme and rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix 3/4 tsp salt, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, and pepper. Season chicken thighs on both sides with the spice blend.
- Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, drizzle with oil, and cook chicken 5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (165°F / 74°C). Remove and set aside, loosely covered.
- In the same skillet, melt butter, then add brown sugar, apples, shallots, and remaining 1/4 tsp salt. Cook 5 minutes until apples soften.
- Pour in apple cider and simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the skillet, coat with sauce, and cook 2 minutes more.
- Remove from heat, spoon apples and sauce over chicken, and garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary if desired.
Notes
Use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples for sweetness, or Granny Smith for tartness.
Add maple syrup or honey for a sweeter sauce, or Dijon mustard for a savory twist.
Swap shallots for red onion for stronger flavor.
To make dairy-free, replace butter with olive oil.
For thicker sauce, simmer longer or whisk in 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
