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Turn this week’s chicken dinner into the perfect fall dish with this Cider Braised Chicken recipe. In it, we’re flavoring chicken with apples, onions, and apple cider for the ultimate flavor-packed, protein-rich meal.
The perfect autumn dish
Apples have been a fall food staple for centuries, and this year we’re following the tradition. This cider braised chicken is a delicious autumnal dish that’s made with onions, apples, apple cider, seasonings, and chicken.
The flavorful meal comes together after searing and then baking chicken in apple cider, creating the most delicious, savory taste. Pair it with your favorite cozy side dishes like mashed potatoes and veggies for a complete and filling meal!
Ingredients in this apple braised chicken
Ingredients for this dish are made up of spices, flavorings, and all things tasty. Below is everything you’ll need:
- Butter: First, begin with 4 tablespoons of butter. We will be using this to cook the onion and apple slices.
- Yellow onion: As for the onion itself, use one large onion, sliced very thin.
- Apple: Next up, you will need one large apple, also sliced thin. You can use any type of apple.
- Apple cider: Following the apple, you will need one cup of apple cider, divided for using in two parts throughout the recipe.
- Chicken breasts: Next, you will need four medium size chicken breasts.
- Thyme: To flavor the dish, use 1 tsp of dried thyme.
- Salt & pepper: Then, add 1 tsp of kosher salt and 1 tsp of black pepper for flavor.
- Chicken broth: Next, use 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
- Arrowroot powder: 1 tbsp of arrowroot powder or cornstarch is going to help thicken everything up.
- Thyme: 5-6 sprigs of fresh thyme will be used to add flavor to the dish when baking.
- Parmesan: A sprinkle of parmesan on top completes the dish!
Additional optional flavorings include sage, shallots, and garlic. You can also cook the onions until they become caramelized onions.
Kitchen tools needed to make braised chicken in apple cider
To make this dish, you will need a number of kitchen tools in addition to a few measuring cups.
- Large skillet (if you don’t have a skillet, you’ll need a pan and a baking dish or a dutch oven)
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife
- Mallet or roller
- Tongs
- Bowl
- Plate
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Measuring cups: 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/2 cup
How to make apple cider braised chicken
This recipe creates 4 large servings. Let’s get started!
To begin preparing this recipe, start by preheating the oven to 400°F.
Next, heat 2 tbsp of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the butter is hot, add the onions, apples, and 1/2 cup of the apple cider to the skillet. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the onions and apples become brown and soft.
While the onions and apples are cooking, pound the chicken breast with a mallet or roller until they are even and thin. They should be around 1 inch thick.
Season both sides of the chicken with the thyme, salt, and pepper.
Then, transfer the cooked onions and apples to a bowl. Place the remaining 2 tbsp of the butter in the skillet, and then add the chicken.
Sear the chicken for 5 minutes on each side. Once fully seared, set it aside on a plate.
Then, use a small mixing bowl to mix together the remaining 1/2 cup of apple cider, chicken broth, and arrowroot powder.
Add the onions back to the skillet over medium-low heat, along with the broth arrowroot mixture. Whisk together for 2-3 minutes, or until it has thickened. Turn off the heat.
Add the chicken back to the skillet, and use a spoon to cover the chicken with the onions, apples, and sauce. Add the thyme sprigs around the chicken.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F.
Sprinkle with parmesan, remove the thyme sprigs, and enjoy!
Storing leftovers
Braised chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to keep it in an airtight container to lock in the fresh flavors! If freezing, place in a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month.
Recipe Tips
What does braised chicken mean?
Braising is a method of cooking that involves partially frying or searing meat before letting it cook in a liquid. In our case, we’ll be searing it before letting it finish cooking in the oven in apple cider sauce — yum!
What is braised chicken made of?
This braised chicken is made of chicken breasts seared and flavored with onions, apples, and our braising liquid of choice: apple cider. There are also additional flavorings used like thyme, salt, and pepper.
What chicken cuts are used for braising?
Most cuts of chicken will work for braising, with chicken thighs or legs being common favorites. For our recipe, we’re using chicken breasts! They work great in this recipe. If you prefer a different cut, apple cider braised chicken thighs make a fabulous option!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Here are some more recipes that sneak in apple!
- Pecan Crusted Pork with Apple Chutney
- Apple Cider Pulled Pork
- Healthy Apple Bread Recipe
- Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Cider Braised Chicken
Turn this week’s chicken dinner into the perfect fall dish with this Cider Braised Chicken recipe. In it, we’re flavoring chicken with apples, onions, and apple cider for the ultimate flavor-packed, protein-rich meal.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced very thin
- 1 large apple, sliced thin
- 1 cup apple cider, divided
- 4 medium chicken breasts
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- 5–6 sprigs of thyme
- parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of butter over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add in all of the sliced onions, apple slices, and 1/2 cup apple cider. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until browned and softened.
- While onions and apples are cooking, pound chicken breasts with mallet or roller until even and thinner that before. Around 1 inch thick all around.
- Season both sides of chicken with thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Set finished onions aside in a bowl. Add remaining 2 tbsp of butter to skillet and then add chicken.
- Sear chicken for 5 minutes on each side. Once it has been seared on each side, set chicken aside on a plate.
- In a small bowl, mix together remaining 1/2 cup apple cider and 1/2 cup chicken broth with 1 tbsp arrowroot powder.
- Add onions back to skillet over medium-low heat, along with the broth arrowroot mixture. Whisk together for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Turn off heat.
- Add chicken back to skillet and using a spoon, cover the chicken with the onions, apples, and sauce. Add thyme sprigs around chicken.
- Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until internal temp reads 165F.
- Sprinkle with parmesan and remove thyme sprigs.
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Emerson says
This recipe was easy to make and made the perfect main dish for our Thanksgiving meal instead of turkey! So much flavor and my whole family loved this.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emerson, so happy you loved it! 🙂
Hanna says
I have made this recipe and loved it so much old like to make it for a dinner party. However, I’d have to make it the night before (for 20 people!) Do you think this could be done and then reheated to still look good? Do you have an reheating directions so they chicken doesn’t dry out or any other tips?
Erin says
Hi Hanna, yes! Warming trays or chafing dishes might be best. Otherwise, just heat back up for 10 minutes in the oven but bring to room temp-ish first! Hope this helps! 🙂
Lisa says
Wow.. hubs me I both LOVED this! So simple to make and so flavorful – will absolutely make again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lisa, so glad you both enjoyed it!!
Becca says
Sooooo gooood! And fairly simple to throw together with minimal ingredients.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Becca, so happy you enjoyed it!!
Steph says
This was unbelievably good!! My new favorite chicken recipe. I used chicken thighs instead of breasts and it still turned out great. Served with mashed potatoes to soak up all the gravy. The perfect fall dinner!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Steph, so happy you loved it so much and great sides!!
Joann says
Erin – this may be the most flavorful thing I’ve ever made!!! This was relatively easy (just a labor of love to cut things) but soooo worth it. My fiancé and I have been sitting here saying “wow that was so good” for the past 15 mins. Unreal recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Joann, so happy you both enjoyed it!!
Monica says
Had a leftover apple and some apple cider and came across this recipe.. how perfect! This was full of yummy fall flavor and easy to put together. Thank you!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Monica, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Rachel says
I was worried this would be too sweet or have too much onion, but this recipe is perfection! It is the perfect recipe for a cozy fall dinner. I’m definitely saving this to make again. We had air fried mini potatoes and blanched green beans on the side. So good!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Rachel, so happy you enjoyed it and great side dishes! 🙂
Lizzie P says
This is hands down my new fave ELW recipe!!! My husband, myself and my 2.5 year old LOVED this dish. It will 100% be in my cycle of fall dishes for sure.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lizzie, so happy you both loved it so much! 🙂
Natalie says
I made this last week and it was SO GOOD! The perfect combination of fall flavors. Definitely will be on repeat all winter for cozy and delicious meals.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Natalie, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sarah N says
This recipe was amazing! I didn’t pound my chicken quite thin enough so it took a bit longer to cook but all the flavors were great. The caramelized onions and apple topping was the star of the show.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so glad you liked it!!
Annie says
I made this tonight for dinner! So tasty! My 5 year old said it was the best chicken I had ever made.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Annie, so happy you both loved it!! 🙂
Kaitlin says
Erin, you are my girl! Another recipe knocked out of the park! Whole family loved it and asked for seconds… This includes two 6 yr olds, a 5 yr old and 2 yr old. Winner winner fall chicken dinner!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, so happy it was such a big hit! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂