This gluten and dairy free apple cider chicken skillet is the perfect weeknight dinner for fall! Use your favorite fresh apple cider and the most tart apples you can find to really make this dish stand out. We love this over rustic mashed potatoes, but it also tastes great with rice, quinoa, and squash!
It’s officially September. I don’t want to hear your whining that we just had Labor Day, that fall doesn’t really start until September 22, or that it’s too hot where you live to even think about apple cider. DO NOT STEAL FALL FROM ME. Fall is the most perfect season of all and I will not be deterred.
To kick off this most perfect of seasons, get this apple cider chicken skillet into your weeknight dinner rotation stat. Fresh apple cider forms a glaze around juicy chicken and tart apples that makes you feel like wearing a cozy sweater. Even if it’s 90 degrees outside.
Our favorite way to eat this skillet is over mashed potatoes, so we can gobble up every last bit of apple cider sauce. But it also tastes great over quinoa or rice, or even plain with squash or sweet potatoes on the side! Just boil your potatoes or roast your squash at the same time as the chicken, and dinner is ready in no time at all.
Recipe Notes
The secret to making this apple cider chicken skillet taste amazing is using fresh apple cider and the most tart, firm apples you can find. If you’re able to find it, you want fresh cider that comes in a carton in the produce section and needs to be refrigerated. Apple juice will do in a pinch, but cider contains a lot more flavor.
You also want apples that will hold their shape when cooked, and won’t be sickly sweet to overpower the chicken. You are flirting the line between savory and sweet here, which is why this is SO yummy! Our favorite apples to use are Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, both of which are readily available all season.
Make Apple Cider Chicken Skillet Allergy-Friendly for You!
As written, this recipe is dairy free, gluten free, garlic free, and Top 9 allergen free. The ingredient list is pretty simple, so there aren’t too many swaps to make. The biggest decision you have to make is what to serve with your skillet!
Let me know in the comments if you loved this skillet meal! Share your creations on social media using the hashtag #coffeetableeats.
Apple Cider Chicken Skillet
This gluten and dairy free apple cider chicken skillet is the perfect weeknight dinner for fall! Use your favorite fresh apple cider and the most tart apples (Honey Crisp or Granny Smith are excellent) you can find to really make this dish stand out. Serve over mashed potatoes, quinoa, or squash for a delicious and easy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tsp. oil
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts; diced
- 1 tart apple; peeled and thinly sliced
Apple Cider Sauce
- 1/2 c. apple cider
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. grainy mustard
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
- Pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place a skillet over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add oil and heat until the oil is shimmering, about one minute.
- Add diced chicken to the skillet, and cook over medium heat (stirring occasionally) until the chicken is cooked through and browned (5 to 8 minutes).
- In a measuring cup with a spout, combine all sauce ingredients and whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
- Add sliced apples and apple cider sauce into the skillet with the chicken. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce is thickened and coats the chicken and apples, about 5-10 minutes. Serve over your favorite side to soak up all of the delicious sauce!
Notes
- I usually cook chicken on medium heat on my stove, but your stove may run cooler than mine. So feel free to turn your temp up to medium high if needed.
- This recipe is easily doubled for a larger family or if you want leftovers (which we ALWAYS do). You can reheat in the microwave, or reheat in a small skillet on the stove. In both cases you may need to add a bit of water to loosen the sauce.
- This skillet tastes great on its own, but it's really good over a side like mashed potatoes to soak up all the delicious sauce! Other great side options include quinoa, mashed sweet potatoes, or roasted squash.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 285mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 2gSugar: 17gProtein: 36gNutrition facts may vary based on the ingredients, swaps, and products used.