Description
Tender seared chicken simmered in a luxurious French-style apple cider cream sauce with garlic, Dijon, thyme, and caramelized apples. Cozy, elegant, and perfect for fall or winter dinners.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
2 apples, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala)
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear chicken on both sides until golden; remove and set aside.
4. Add apples and onions to the skillet and sauté until softened.
5. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
6. Add apple cider, chicken broth, Dijon, and thyme; stir to combine.
7. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer 10–12 minutes.
8. Stir in heavy cream and simmer until sauce thickens.
9. Adjust seasoning and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Use hard cider for a deeper, more complex flavor.
Thighs stay juicier, but breasts also work beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: French apple cider chicken, creamy apple chicken, fall skillet dinner, apple chicken recipe