Maple-Dijon Apple & Chicken Skillet
A comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken thighs smothered in a sweet-tart apple and maple glaze, perfect for cozy weeknights. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, large yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion
- 3 medium Honeycrisp apples
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken thighs and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet, then cook sliced yellow onion for 4 minutes until translucent and starting to caramelize.
- Step 4: Add sliced Honeycrisp apples to the skillet, stir to coat, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 5: Pour in apple cider, add Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and dried thyme, then simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Return chicken to skillet, nestling into apple mixture, and cook for 3 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Step 7: Stir in unsalted butter until melted, then transfer to a plate and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Dijon Apple & Chicken Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Maple-Dijon Apple & Chicken Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Dijon Apple & Chicken Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Maple-Dijon Apple & Chicken Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Maple-Dijon Apple & Chicken Skillet?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
