Pan-Seared Chicken with Apple Cider Reduction

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts glazed with a tangy apple cider reduction, blending sweet and savory flavors. This American-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless chicken breasts, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup apple cider
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 fresh thyme sprigs
2 cloves minced garlic

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 2: Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then remove them from the skillet and keep warm.
Step 3: Lower heat to medium and add 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour in 1 cup apple cider and add 2 fresh thyme sprigs. Simmer the mixture for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces by half and thickens slightly to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the apple cider reduction over the top, and cook for another 1-2 minutes to reheat and glaze the chicken before serving.