Description
A quick, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs, sweet apples, and a savory-sweet cider glaze. This kid-friendly meal is affordable, easy to clean up, and ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 medium firm apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith), chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped into half-moons
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water (optional thickener)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it foam.
- Sear chicken thighs in a single layer for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to a plate, leaving browned bits in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and thyme, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chopped apples to the skillet. Pour in apple cider and soy sauce, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Return chicken and any juices to the skillet. Nestle chicken into the apples and sauce.
- Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and apples are tender.
- Uncover. If sauce is too thin, stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer uncovered for 2 more minutes until thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.
Notes
Do not skip searing the chicken for better flavor. Cut apples uniformly for even cooking. This recipe does not freeze well due to the apples becoming mushy. Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with chicken
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken skillet, fall recipes, budget-friendly dinner, one-pan meals, kid-friendly food, chicken and apples, weeknight dinner, easy chicken recipe