Savory Apple Orchard Chicken Recipe for Delicious Family Meals
Author:antaki
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Description
Discover a delightful Apple Orchard Chicken dish that transforms family meals into flavorful experiences with simple ingredients Perfect for gatherings
Ingredients
Scale
4 chicken thighs (or breasts, if you prefer leaner meat)
2 large apples (a mix of sweet and tart like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith works great)
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried thyme (fresh if you have it on hand!)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup chicken broth or apple cider for added depth
Zest of 1 lemon (optional but adds a lovely brightness)
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels—this will help it get that lovely golden crust.
Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over both sides of the chicken. In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sear the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. In the same pan, toss in the sliced onion and sauté until they become soft and translucent, around 3-4 minutes.
Add the apples to the skillet, along with the honey (or maple syrup), cinnamon, thyme, and lemon zest. Sauté for another 3 minutes until the apples start to soften and caramelize.
Return the chicken to the skillet. Pour the chicken broth (or apple cider) over everything, making sure the liquid covers the bottom of the pan.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and juicy. Use a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part.
Notes
A delightful chicken dish with tender apples and fragrant spices that captures the essence of autumn.
