Sautéed Chicken with Green Apple and Sage Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-seared with tart green apple slices and finished with fragrant sage-infused brown butter. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 26 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, green apple, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 16 min Serves 2 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until golden brown on the first side. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 8 fresh sage leaves to the same skillet. Cook butter until it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 medium thinly sliced green apple to the browned butter and sage. Sauté for 3 minutes until apples soften slightly but retain some crispness. Stir in 1 tsp lemon juice to brighten.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the sage butter and apple slices over the top. Cook together for 1 more minute to meld flavors before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Green Apple and Sage Butter take to make?

Total time is about 26 minutes (10 min prep + 16 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 Sautéed Chicken with Green Apple and Sage Butter?

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 green apple from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Green Apple and Sage Butter?

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 Sautéed Chicken with Green Apple and Sage Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sautéed Chicken with Green Apple and Sage Butter?

American chicken 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.

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