Quick and Easy Apple Maple Chicken Recipe
This Quick and Easy Apple Maple Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with sweet and savory flavors from apples, maple syrup, and a hint of cinnamon. Sautéed to perfection in a skillet, this dish is perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner that feels gourmet without the hassle.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Additions
- 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)
Garnish
- 1 sprig fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet and chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate to rest.
- Sauté the apples: In the same skillet, add the sliced apples and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the maple syrup and chicken broth, then sprinkle the cinnamon over the apple mixture. Stir everything together and allow the sauce to bubble and reduce slightly for about 2 minutes.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them among the apples. Continue cocinar for an additional 5-7 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken gently.
- Finish and serve: If using, drizzle fresh lemon juice over the chicken for a bright finish. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for added aroma and visual appeal. Serve warm directly from the skillet or on a platter.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in lemon juice and a pinch of cinnamon before cooking.
- Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work best for a balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to keep the salt content moderate.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure the chicken broth used is gluten-free certified.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: apple chicken, maple maple chicken, easy chicken recipes, skillet chicken, quick dinner, sweet and savory chicken
