Cast Iron Pan-Seared Chicken with Apple Compote

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

Served with a sweet-tart apple compote, cooked in a single cast iron skillet. This American chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken breast, apples, and 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, spoon compote over top, and cook for 1 minute to heat through. Serve immediately.