Description

A cozy, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring seared chicken thighs, caramelized apples, and a rich, creamy cider sauce. This rustic dish balances sweet and savory flavors for a comforting autumn meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
3 medium firm apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn), cored and sliced into wedges
1 large yellow onion, chopped into half-inch pieces
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup apple cider
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Slice apples into wedges and chop onion.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt until foaming.
Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and skin releases easily. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more. Remove chicken to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium. Add onions to the same skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Add apple wedges and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and thyme, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in apple cider, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce.
Stir in Dijon mustard and heavy cream. Simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Return chicken to the skillet, nestling into the sauce skin-side up. Cover and simmer on low-medium heat for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not crowd the pan when searing chicken to ensure crispy skin. Use firm apples that hold their shape. If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. If too thick, add a splash of water or broth. This dish does not freeze well due to the cream sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
Calories: 450
Sugar: 15
Sodium: 320
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 14
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 3
Protein: 35

Keywords: fall recipe, chicken skillet, apple dinner, one pan meal, cozy dinner, autumn cooking, chicken thighs, creamy sauce