Apple Cider Smothered Chicken Recipe

Directions

  1. 1Preheat your oven to 425°F.
  2. 2Preheat your oven to 425°F.
  3. 3Preheat your oven to 425°F.
  4. 4Season the thin-cut chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
  5. 5Season the thin-cut chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
  6. 6Season the thin-cut chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
  7. 7In a shallow bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne.
  8. 8In a shallow bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne.
  9. 9In a shallow bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne.
  10. 10Dredge the chicken pieces through this flour mixture, ensuring they’re evenly coated, then set aside.
  11. 11Dredge the chicken pieces through this flour mixture, ensuring they’re evenly coated, then set aside.
  12. 12Dredge the chicken pieces through this flour mixture, ensuring they’re evenly coated, then set aside.
  13. 13Place the prosciutto in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  14. 14Place the prosciutto in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  15. 15Place the prosciutto in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  16. 16Cook the prosciutto until crispy all over, which takes about 5 minutes.
  17. 17Cook the prosciutto until crispy all over, which takes about 5 minutes.
  18. 18Cook the prosciutto until crispy all over, which takes about 5 minutes.
  19. 19Once crisp, remove the prosciutto from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain.
  20. 20Once crisp, remove the prosciutto from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain.
  21. 21Once crisp, remove the prosciutto from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain.
  22. 22In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the salted butter followed by the coated chicken breasts.
  23. 23In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the salted butter followed by the coated chicken breasts.
  24. 24In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the salted butter followed by the coated chicken breasts.
  25. 25Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  26. 26Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  27. 27Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  28. 28Then add another tablespoon of butter and cook until the butter browns around the chicken, about 2 minutes for extra flavor.
  29. 29Then add another tablespoon of butter and cook until the butter browns around the chicken, about 2 minutes for extra flavor.
  30. 30Then add another tablespoon of butter and cook until the butter browns around the chicken, about 2 minutes for extra flavor.
  31. 31Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  32. 32Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  33. 33Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  34. 34Add the sliced or chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until golden.
  35. 35Add the sliced or chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until golden.
  36. 36Add the sliced or chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until golden.
  37. 37Next, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, garlic, fresh thyme leaves, chopped sage, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  38. 38Next, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, garlic, fresh thyme leaves, chopped sage, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  39. 39Next, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, garlic, fresh thyme leaves, chopped sage, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  40. 40Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the onions are nicely caramelized and fragrant.
  41. 41Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the onions are nicely caramelized and fragrant.
  42. 42Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the onions are nicely caramelized and fragrant.
  43. 43Pour in the 2 cups of apple cider and bring to a simmer, letting it reduce for 5 minutes.
  44. 44Pour in the 2 cups of apple cider and bring to a simmer, letting it reduce for 5 minutes.
  45. 45Pour in the 2 cups of apple cider and bring to a simmer, letting it reduce for 5 minutes.
  46. 46Then pour in the heavy cream (use between 1/2 to 1 cup depending on your desired sauce richness).
  47. 47Then pour in the heavy cream (use between 1/2 to 1 cup depending on your desired sauce richness).
  48. 48Then pour in the heavy cream (use between 1/2 to 1 cup depending on your desired sauce richness).
  49. 49Add the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet.
  50. 50Add the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet.
  51. 51Add the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet.
  52. 52Nestle the Honeycrisp apple wedges around the chicken.
  53. 53Nestle the Honeycrisp apple wedges around the chicken.
  54. 54Nestle the Honeycrisp apple wedges around the chicken.
  55. 55Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly on top.
  56. 56Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly on top.
  57. 57Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly on top.
  58. 58Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and started to bubble.
  59. 59Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and started to bubble.
  60. 60Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and started to bubble.
  61. 61Remove the skillet from the oven and top the dish with the crispy prosciutto you set aside earlier and some fresh herbs if desired.
  62. 62Remove the skillet from the oven and top the dish with the crispy prosciutto you set aside earlier and some fresh herbs if desired.
  63. 63Remove the skillet from the oven and top the dish with the crispy prosciutto you set aside earlier and some fresh herbs if desired.
  64. 64Serve the apple cider smothered chicken hot with crusty bread to soak up the luscious creamy sauce for a comforting meal.
  65. 65Serve the apple cider smothered chicken hot with crusty bread to soak up the luscious creamy sauce for a comforting meal.
  66. 66Serve the apple cider smothered chicken hot with crusty bread to soak up the luscious creamy sauce for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds thin-cut chicken breasts
  • 1.5 pounds thin-cut chicken breasts
  • 1.5 pounds thin-cut chicken breasts
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 3 ounces prosciutto
  • 3 ounces prosciutto
  • 3 ounces prosciutto
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced or chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced or chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced or chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, cut into wedges
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, cut into wedges
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple, cut into wedges
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 0.5 to 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 to 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 to 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 0.5 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 0.5 cup shredded Gruyère cheese

Equipment

ovenlarge skilletpaper towels

Tips

  • Use thin-cut chicken breasts for even and quick cooking.
  • Don't skip browning butter to add amazing nutty flavors to the sauce.
  • Choose crisp apples like Honeycrisp that hold their shape better.
  • Avoid overcooking the chicken; bake just until the cheese melts and bubbles.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, adding a splash of cream or apple cider when reheating.
  • For freezing, do so before adding the Gruyère cheese and bake fresh after thawing.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 325°F covered with foil.