Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apple
Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs paired with caramelized roasted Brussels sprouts and apples for a balanced, Whole30-compliant dinner. This american-inspired whole30 (gluten free) ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided salt
- 1 tsp, divided black pepper
- 1 lb, trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts
- 1, cored and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges medium apple
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 3, minced garlic cloves
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb halved Brussels sprouts and 1 cored, sliced medium apple with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until browned and tender.
- Step 2: While vegetables roast, pat 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook 3 minutes more.
- Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh thyme to the skillet, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast the chicken for 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: Remove chicken and vegetables from oven. Serve chicken thighs on a plate with the roasted Brussels sprouts and apples alongside.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apple take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apple?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apple?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apple 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.
Is Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apple whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Whole30 family dinners just got a major upgrade. Juicy thighs and crispy sprouts with that sweet-tart apple kick!
- ★★★★★
My kids begged for seconds on these chicken thighs! The apple really balanced the savory sprouts perfectly for Whole30 dinners.
- ★★★★☆
Chicken was tender but sprouts took 10 extra minutes to caramelize. Would add a pinch of sea salt next time for depth.








