Kelley's Baked Apple Walnut Chicken with Cornbread Dressing

Elevate your dinner table with Kelley’s Baked Apple Walnut Chicken with Cornbread Dressing, a comforting blend of sweet and savory flavors perfect for fall gatherings or cozy weeknight meals. Juicy, golden-brown chicken thighs are paired with tender Honeycrisp apples, toasted walnuts, and a fragrant cornbread dressing infused with sautéed onions, celery, and a hint of poultry seasoning. Dried cranberries add an optional touch of tart sweetness, making this dish a well-rounded taste experience. Baked to perfection in one skillet, this recipe is both flavorful and practical, offering a delightful twist on classic baked chicken. Whether you’re feeding the family or entertaining guests, this wholesome, hearty dish will be a guaranteed hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 pieces Honeycrisp apples (cored and sliced)
• 0.5 cup Chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup Yellow onion (diced)
• 0.5 cup Celery (diced)
• 2 cups Cornbread (crumbled)
• 0.75 cup Low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Poultry seasoning
• 0.25 cup Dried cranberries (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and ground cinnamon.

Step 3

In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the apple slices and walnuts. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened slightly. Remove the apple mixture and set aside.

Step 5

Add butter to the skillet, followed by the diced onions and celery. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in crumbled cornbread, chicken broth, and poultry seasoning. Mix until the cornbread absorbs the liquid and the mixture is well-combined. Add dried cranberries if using.

Step 7

Spread the cornbread dressing evenly in the skillet or transfer it to a greased baking dish if preferred.

Step 8

Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the cornbread dressing, skin-side up. Top the chicken with the cooked apple and walnut mixture.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 10

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2021.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4096.2

Total Fat 233.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 692mg	0%
Sodium 5896.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 352.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.1g	0%
Total Sugars 129.1g
Protein 151.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 723.8mg	0%
Iron 19.0mg	0%
Potassium 3002.6mg	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: 51.1%

Protein: 14.7%

Carbs: 34.2%