This one-pan apple cider chicken recipe is a true weeknight hero, delivering incredible flavor with minimal fuss.

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken: Easy Skillet Dinner Recipe 16

If you’re looking for a healthy and satisfying dinner that comes together quickly and leaves you with hardly any dishes, you’ve found your new favorite. It’s perfect for those busy evenings when you want something homemade and delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

The combination of tender chicken and a savory-sweet apple cider sauce, all cooked in a single skillet, makes this dish incredibly appealing. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome meal without the usual cleanup headache, making it ideal for families and anyone seeking a practical yet flavorful dinner solution.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe shines because it perfectly balances convenience with deliciousness. It’s designed for busy individuals and families who appreciate a home-cooked meal but are short on time. You’ll love the simplicity of using just one pan, which drastically cuts down on post-dinner cleanup – a major win on any weeknight! The flavors are universally appealing, with the subtle sweetness of apple cider complementing the savory chicken beautifully, creating a dish that even picky eaters tend to enjoy. It’s a fantastic option for a healthy, balanced dinner that feels a little special without requiring any complicated techniques or exotic ingredients. Serve it when you need a reliable, flavorful meal that comes together without stress, leaving you more time to relax.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this one-pan apple cider chicken is straightforward, focusing on common pantry staples and fresh produce. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, so there’s no need for obscure items.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large apple (such as Fuji or Honeycrisp), cored and diced
1 cup apple cider (unsweetened)
½ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or brown sugar)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap chicken thighs for breasts, though thighs tend to stay juicier. If you don’t have fresh garlic, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder can be used. Any firm, slightly sweet apple will work well; Granny Smith adds a nice tart contrast if you prefer. If you don’t have apple cider, apple juice can be used, but reduce the maple syrup slightly as it will be sweeter. Chicken stock can replace broth in a pinch. Feel free to use dried rosemary instead of thyme for a different herb profile.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for a quick dinner.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

These times are realistic and account for chopping, searing, and simmering, ensuring you can get a delicious meal on the table without feeling rushed.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this flavorful one-pan apple cider chicken is quite simple. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.

Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics: Start by patting your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron or heavy-bottomed stainless steel works best) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely browned. Don’t worry about cooking it through at this stage; you’re just building flavor. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the Apples and Deglaze: Toss in the diced apples and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly. Pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all the flavorful fond (the browned bits) that have accumulated. This is key for a rich sauce.
Whisk in the Flavorings: Whisk in the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and dried thyme until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Return Chicken and Simmer: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet (or if your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer everything to an oven-safe dish and cover with foil), and let it simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The sauce should have thickened slightly.
Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley before serving. The vibrant green parsley adds a lovely fresh note and visual appeal.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This apple cider chicken is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces and serve it with a side of plain rice or mashed potatoes, letting them dip the chicken in the sauce. You might also reduce the amount of Dijon mustard slightly if your children are sensitive to tangy flavors.

To make it a heartier meal, consider adding some vegetables directly to the skillet during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Cubed sweet potatoes or butternut squash would be delicious, or even some green beans or broccoli florets. For a touch of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the thyme.

This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it over fluffy white rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up all that delicious sauce. Roasted root vegetables, a simple green salad, or even some crusty bread for dipping would also be excellent accompaniments. For a buffet-style meal, you could keep it warm in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting after cooking, making it easy for guests to serve themselves.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Here’s how to steer clear of them with this apple cider chicken:

Overcrowding the Pan: When searing the chicken, resist the urge to put too many pieces in the skillet at once. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, steaming the chicken instead of browning it, which means less flavor. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
Not Patting Chicken Dry: Moisture on the surface of the chicken prevents it from browning properly. Always pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels before adding them to the hot oil.
Skipping the Deglazing Step: Those browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the pan after searing the chicken and sautéing the onions are packed with flavor. Don’t leave them behind! Use a wooden spoon to scrape them up as you add the liquids; this enriches the sauce significantly.
Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts, especially, can dry out quickly. Keep an eye on the cooking time and use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure. Chicken is safely cooked at 165°F (74°C). Thighs are more forgiving but still benefit from not being overcooked.
Using Sweetened Apple Cider: While you can use apple juice, unsweetened apple cider provides a more balanced flavor profile. If you use a sweetened version, you might want to reduce or omit the maple syrup to prevent the sauce from becoming overly sweet.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This one-pan apple cider chicken is excellent for meal prepping and stores well.

Storage: Allow any leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: For best results, reheat the chicken and sauce gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much in the fridge. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave, covering the dish to retain moisture, heating in 1-minute intervals until hot.

Make Ahead: You can prepare components of this dish in advance. Chop the chicken, onion, and apple a day ahead and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. You can also mix the sauce ingredients (apple cider, broth, Dijon, maple syrup, thyme) and keep them in a jar in the fridge. This makes assembly and cooking on a busy weeknight even faster. The full cooked dish also reheats beautifully, so making

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.