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Apple Cider Chicken

Apple Cider Chicken

Apple Cider Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender, boneless chicken breasts cooked in a sweet and tangy apple cider glaze. This recipe combines simple pantry staples to create a quick, balanced meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, delivering warmth and vibrant flavor with minimal effort.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil for dairy-free option)

Sauce

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup apple cider (fresh preferred)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or rosemary/sage as alternatives)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance natural flavor and help build a flavorful crust while cooking.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat butter (or olive oil for dairy-free) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in apple cider and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift browned bits for extra flavor. Stir in Dijon mustard and fresh thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  4. Combine and Reduce: Return the chicken breasts to the pan, turning to coat thoroughly in the sauce. Let simmer gently until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from heat once the sauce is thickened. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken before serving to maximize flavor.

Notes

  • Pat dry chicken before seasoning for a perfect sear.
  • Use fresh apple cider to avoid bitterness and intensify flavor.
  • Do not overcook chicken to maintain juiciness.
  • Let cooked chicken rest to redistribute juices.
  • Deglaze the pan well to incorporate caramelized bits into the sauce.
  • Variations: use chicken thighs for richer meat, add nuts for crunch, or spice it up with cayenne/red pepper flakes.
  • Dairy-free option: substitute butter with olive oil.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop (with oven finish optional)
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 6 oz)
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 420 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: apple cider chicken, comfort food, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, savory chicken, sweet and tangy glaze