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Autumn Harvest Chicken Skillet Recipe

Autumn Harvest Chicken Skillet Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 10 reviews

This Autumn Harvest Chicken Skillet is a cozy and flavorful dish perfect for fall. Tender, seared chicken breasts are simmered with sweet apples, savory onions, and a rich apple cider sauce infused with fresh thyme. It’s an easy, one-pan meal that beautifully blends autumn flavors, ideal for serving over mashed potatoes or rice for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

For Cooking

  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

Vegetables & Fruits

  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 apples, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala recommended)

Liquids & Flavorings

  • 1 cup apple cider (not vinegar)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)

Instructions

  1. Season Chicken: Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides to enhance flavor.
  2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
  3. Sauté Onions: In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become softened and translucent.
  4. Add Apples: Stir in the sliced apples, cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until they soften slightly but still hold their shape.
  5. Deglaze Skillet: Pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to lift all the flavorful browned bits.
  6. Add Thyme & Simmer: Sprinkle the fresh thyme leaves into the skillet. Return the seared chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Lower the heat and let everything simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced slightly.
  7. Serve: Serve the chicken hot, spooning the apple-onion sauce over the top. This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or rice for a hearty autumn meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute fresh thyme with dried thyme at half the amount.
  • Use sweeter apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala for best flavor.
  • Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of butter at the end of cooking.
  • This recipe can be made gluten-free by ensuring the chicken broth is gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: Autumn chicken skillet, apple chicken recipe, easy fall dinner, one-pan chicken recipe, apple cider chicken

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/autumn-harvest-chicken-skillet-recipe/