Cozy Comfort In Every Crunchy Bite Recipe
Quick and Easy Apple Maple Chicken is a cozy weeknight dinner recipe featuring succulent boneless chicken breasts cooked with sweet apples and a rich maple syrup sauce, infused with cinnamon and fresh herbs. This comforting dish combines fruity sweetness with savory chicken for an effortless meal perfect for any night.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Apple Maple Sauce
- 2 cups apples, cored and sliced (about 2 medium apples)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional for added brightness)
- 1 sprig fresh thyme (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper to ensure balanced flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté the apples: In the same skillet, add the sliced apples and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften and slightly caramelize, absorbing the pan flavors left by the chicken.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the maple syrup and chicken broth, then sprinkle the cinnamon over the mixture. Stir to combine all ingredients and let the sauce bubble and reduce gently for about 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Combine and simmer: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them within the apple sauce. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors and the sauce to develop a nice glaze.
- Finishing touches: If desired, drizzle fresh lemon juice over the chicken just before serving for a bright, fresh contrast. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for an aromatic touch and serve warm.
Notes
- Serve this dish with roasted vegetables or steamed rice to create a balanced and complete meal.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
- Adjust the maple syrup quantity to modify the sweetness level according to your personal preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approximately 6 ounces)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: apple chicken recipe, maple chicken skillet, easy weeknight dinners, cozy chicken recipes, quick chicken with apples
