Chicken in the Orchard

Savor the taste of autumn with "Chicken in the Orchard," a comforting dish that combines tender seared chicken breasts with a luscious apple cider and honey-infused sauce. This skillet recipe captures the warmth and sweetness of orchard-fresh apples, enhanced by fragrant thyme and golden caramelized onions. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this one-pan recipe is ready in just 45 minutes and pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or fluffy rice. The balance of savory and sweet flavors, along with the ease of preparation, makes this dish a must-try for any home cook looking to celebrate seasonal ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion (sliced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
• 1.5 cups apple cider
• 0.5 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 2

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium, add butter, and let it melt. Stir in the sliced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 4

Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the sliced apples to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 6

Pour in the apple cider and chicken stock, and stir to combine. Add honey and fresh thyme sprigs, then return the chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the liquid.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover the pan with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).

Step 8

Remove the lid and let the sauce simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes to thicken slightly. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.

Step 9

Remove the thyme sprigs before serving. Plate the chicken breasts and spoon the apple and cider sauce over the top.

Step 10

Serve the Chicken in the Orchard with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1785.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2156.8

Total Fat 79.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 644.6mg	0%
Sodium 2961.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 134.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.9g	0%
Total Sugars 110.0g
Protein 224.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 186.5mg	0%
Iron 7.7mg	0%
Potassium 956.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.4%

Protein: 41.7%

Carbs: 24.9%