Cast Iron Pan-Seared Chicken with Apple Compote
Served with a sweet-tart apple compote, cooked in a single cast iron skillet. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken breast, apples, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) chicken breast
- 2 apples
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
The cast-iron skillet we’d sear this in → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 chicken breasts (each 6 oz) dry. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp honey, melt butter, then add chicken. Sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 2 diced apples to the skillet, along with 1/4 cup apple cider, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp fresh thyme. Cook for 5-6 minutes until apples are tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, spoon compote over top, and cook for 1 minute to heat through. Serve immediately.
