Description
Apple Cider Smothered Chicken is a cozy, one-pot meal featuring tender thin-cut chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy sauce infused with fresh herbs, caramelized onions, crisp Honeycrisp apples, and tangy apple cider. Topped with melted Gruyère cheese and crispy prosciutto, this comforting fall dish is perfect for a quick yet elegant dinner served alongside crusty bread to soak up the luscious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/2 pounds thin-cut chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Other Protein and Butter
- 3 ounces prosciutto
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 yellow onion, sliced or chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
Fruit and Dairy
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, cut into wedges
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 – 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Season the thin-cut chicken breasts on both sides with salt and black pepper. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, paprika, and cayenne. Dredge each piece of chicken in this seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
- Cook Prosciutto: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and arrange the prosciutto slices in it. Cook until they are crispy on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside on paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Sear Chicken: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the coated chicken breasts in the skillet and sear over medium-high heat until both sides are golden brown, approximately 3 to 5 minutes per side. Add another tablespoon of butter and allow it to brown around the chicken for about 2 more minutes for extra flavor. Then remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Caramelize Onions and Sauté Aromatics: Add the sliced onions to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they turn golden and soften. Add 2 tablespoons of butter, chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, chopped sage, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook this mixture for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the onions to caramelize and the herbs to release their aroma.
- Create Sauce and Assemble: Pour in the apple cider and let it simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the heavy cream, then nestle the seared chicken breasts and apple wedges into the skillet. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake to Finish: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, top with the crispy prosciutto slices and extra fresh herbs if desired. Serve the smothered chicken with crusty bread to soak up the creamy, flavorful sauce. Enjoy this warm and comforting fall-inspired meal!
Notes
- This recipe is a quick and easy one-pot meal, taking about 40 minutes from start to finish.
- The combination of apple cider, fresh herbs, and creamy Gruyère adds layers of comforting fall flavors.
- Using thin-cut chicken breasts helps them cook quickly and evenly.
- Adjust the heavy cream amount between 1/2 to 1 cup depending on how creamy you prefer the sauce.
- For extra crispiness, serve with toasted crusty bread to mop up the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
