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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Main Dishes » One Pan Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce

    One Pan Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce

    October 10, 2019 By Danielle Esposti 4 Comments

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Go to Recipe
    Pinterest collage for apple cider chicken with fresh apples.
    Pinterest collage for apple cider chicken with fresh apples.
    Pinterest image for apple chicken recipe with cider mustard sauce.
    Pinterest image for apple chicken recipe with cider mustard sauce.

    You’ve picked a peck of apples and baked an apple pie. Good job! Now dive into your stash and grab a few more tasty varietals for this one pan family friendly delight, Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce. Juicy chicken, tender apples, and big flavor await. 

    Apple cider chicken with baked apples over rice on a blue plate.
    Jump to:
    • Apple Chicken Recipe Ingredients
    • Essential Tools
    • How to Make Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce
    • My Best Tips and Tricks for Perfect Apple Chicken with Cider Sauce
    • More Fresh Apple and Apple Cider Recipes
    • Recipe
    •  

    Are you ready for your October homework? It’s super easy, and FUN too! Here’s your assignment:

    Part 1:  Grab your children (or obtain some children from friends, or just skip this part). 

    Part 2:  Head to the local pick-your-own-farm. Go on a hayride. Pet some goats. Ride the big slide. Pick a peck of apples and grab a jug of fresh-priced cider. 

    Part 3:  make this Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce for dinner. 

    Oven baked apple chicken with cider sauce in a cast iron skillet.

    I told you it was fun and easy! And also delicious – like lick your plate, no-leftovers in sight, Imma-make-this-twice-this-week TASTY TOWN. As my toddler likes to say “Let’s do this thing Mommy!”. 

    Apple Chicken Recipe Ingredients

    You need just seven whole food ingredients to pull together this oven-baked chicken and apples recipe:

    • Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs:  pat them dry, then season with salt and pepper
    • Sweet but firm apples:  think gala, fuji, honeycrisp; quarter the apples, then core and thinly slice
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Whole grain mustard
    • Unsweetened apple cider:  the apples bring just the right amount of sweet into this savory recipe, so be sure to grab unsweetened (and preferably unfiltered for best flavor) apple cider. Fresh from the farm is best!
    • Chicken bone broth:  the collagen in bone broth will help thicken up the sauce, but regular stock would also be fine (see my notes for creating a thicker pan sauce)
    • Fresh thyme:  for a woodsy contrast to the sweet apples 
    Ingredients for apple chicken with cider sauce on a cutting board.

    Essential Tools

    Disclaimer: This section and the recipe card contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    • Cast Iron Skillet or other oven-proof cooking vessel like a stainless steel skillet or dutch oven. I prefer to use a 12″ skillet so that I have enough room to brown all the chicken in a single layer. 
    • Instant Read Thermometer to test the chicken thighs for doneness (at least 165°F). 

    How to Make Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce

    Chicken with Apples and Cider Mustard Sauce. It sounds so fancy, right? And it very well might be, but this apple cider chicken recipe is also easy, relatively quick (45 minutes), and a one-pan winner your family will devour. There are so many ways to enjoy the bounty of apple season, and if you’re in need of a savory fix after your eleventy-billionth apple pie, this is the dinner recipe for you! 

    A collage of images showing how to make on pan apple chicken with cider sauce.
    • STEP 1:  Pat the chicken thighs dry, then season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Sear skin side down in a splash of olive oil over medium high heat until the skin is browned and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook on the other side for one minute, then remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside onto a plate. 
    • STEP 2:  Add the sliced apples to the skillet and toss in the rendered fat. Sautee until the apples are soft and slightly caramelized around the edges (2 or 3 minutes). 
    • STEP 3:  Add the apple cider vinegar to the skillet to deglaze, and be sure to scrap up any browned bits from the bottom. Once the vinegar stops bubbling, add the whole grain mustard, apple cider and chicken broth. Give the liquid a good stir with the apples to distribute the mustard. 
    • STEP 4:  Nestle the chicken thighs in between the apples and into the cider sauce, then sprinkle with the fresh thyme. Transfer the skillet to a 375°F oven and braise until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F using an instant read thermometer. 
    Side view, oven baked apple chicken with cider sauce in a cast iron skillet.

    How ’bout THEM apples? (sorry, I had to!). 

    The resulting chicken is going to be that perfect balance of crispy, golden skin and moist, tender meat. The cider mustard sauce is thin, but flavorful, and best served over a grain that can sop up every ounce of deliciousness, like rice or cauliflower rice. 

    Apple cider chicken thighs over white rice with sautéed apples.

    My Best Tips and Tricks for Perfect Apple Chicken with Cider Sauce

    • Use an oven-safe skillet like cast iron, a dutch oven, or stainless steel. 
    • Season the chicken liberally on both sides with salt and pepper, and be sure to pat the skin dry before seasoning and searing – this will help you achieve a crispy, golden crust. 
    • Brown the chicken properly, which means allowing it to release on its own before flipping. If you meet any resistance when attempting to flip, give it another minute. Browning the skin also releases flavor bits into the sauce. 
    • Use fresh, crisp, firm apples for best texture after baking. 
    • Safety first! Check the temperature of the cooked chicken thighs using an instant read thermometer, and be sure to remove the skillet from the oven using oven mitts – the pan will be super hot! 
    • If you prefer a thicker pan sauce, remove the chicken thighs and apples to a serving platter using a slotted spoon; tent the chicken and apples with foil to keep warm. Place the skillet over medium high heat and simmer until the sauce is reduced by half (5-8 minutes). 

    More Fresh Apple and Apple Cider Recipes

    Enjoy the fruits of fall labor at peak flavor with any one of these simple, healthy apple and apple cider recipes:

    • Carrot Apple Soup
    • Apple Cider Sangria
    • Apple Cider Brined Chicken Breasts
    • Apple Cider Hot Toddy
    • Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
    • Thick Cut Pork Chops with Apple Jicama Slaw
    Side view, apple chicken over rice with cider sauce and sautéed apples.

    Did you make this Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Featured image for apple chicken with cider mustard sauce recipe.

    Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce

    5 from 2 votes
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Chicken with Apples and Cider Mustard Sauce. It sounds so fancy, right? I know. And it very well might be, but this apple cider chicken recipe is also easy, relatively quick (45 minutes), and a one-pan family friendly delight. There are so many ways to enjoy the bounty of apple season, and if you're in need of a savory fix after your eleventy-billionth apple pie, this is the dinner recipe for you! 
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 40 mins
    Total Time: 45 mins
    Servings : 6
    Calories: 498

    Recommended Equipment

    • Dutch Oven
    • Instant Read Thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry
    • 1 tsp Sea or kosher salt
    • 1 tsp Cracked black pepper
    • 2 sweet apples (gala, fuji, honeycrisp), thinly sliced
    • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tsp whole grain mustard
    • 1 c apple cider
    • ½ c chicken broth
    • 1 sprig fresh thyme, plus more for garnish

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 375°F.
    • Heat olive oil over medium high heat in an oven-proof skillet like cast iron. Pat chicken dry, then season with salt and pepper. Cook skin side down until the skin is browned and easily releases from the pan, 8-10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook skin side up for 1 minute. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
    • Add the apples and saute in the rendered fat, stirring occasionally, until slightly caramelized, 2-3 minutes..
    • Add the apple cider vinegar to the skillet to deglaze, stirring up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the mustard, apple cider, and chicken broth, stirring to mix completely.
    • Nestle the chicken thighs in between the apple slices. Transfer the skillet to the oven and braise until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F using an instant read thermometer, 20-25 minutes depending on size.
    • Plate the chicken, and top with the apple slices, cider sauce, and fresh thyme to taste. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    If you prefer a thicker pan sauce, remove the chicken thighs and apples to a serving platter using a slotted spoon; tent the chicken and apples with foil to keep warm. Place the skillet over medium high heat and simmer until the sauce is reduced by half (5-8 minutes). 

     

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 498kcal (25%), Carbohydrates: 20g (7%), Protein: 27g (54%), Fat: 34g (52%), Saturated Fat: 9g (45%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 18g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 152mg (51%), Sodium: 742mg (31%), Potassium: 137mg (4%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 17g (19%), Vitamin A: 1% (1%), Vitamin C: 2% (2%), Calcium: 6% (6%), Iron: 4% (4%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    4 Comments
    Filed Under: 45 Minutes or Less, Fall Recipes, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Main Dishes, Paleo, Whole30 Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina Mackintosh

      January 12, 2020 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      Another winner, Danielle!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Whole30 Recipes You Can Meal Prep on Sunday | The Everygirl says:
      January 1, 2020 at 2:10 am

      […] 20. Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce […]

      Reply
    2. Whole30 Recipes You Can Meal Prep on Sunday | e-Radio.USa says:
      January 1, 2020 at 3:00 am

      […] 20. Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce […]

      Reply
    3. Apple Cider Is More Than Just A Drink And These Recipes Prove It - The Crazy Beautiful Life says:
      September 15, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      […] One Pan Apple Chicken With Cider Mustard Sauce […]

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