Description

This Autumn Harvest Chicken Skillet is a one-pan wonder featuring seared chicken breasts, crisp apples, caramelized onions, and smoky bacon all simmered in a sweet apple cider glaze. A cozy, rustic dinner perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts

2 apples (such as Honeycrisp or Braeburn), thinly sliced

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 cup apple cider

4 sprigs fresh thyme (plus more for garnish)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

4. Add sliced onions to the bacon drippings. Sauté over medium heat for 10 minutes until golden and soft.

5. Stir in garlic and apple slices. Cook for 3–4 minutes until apples start to soften.

6. Pour in apple cider, scraping the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.

7. Return chicken and bacon to the skillet. Nestle them into the apple-onion mixture and sprinkle with thyme.

8. Simmer everything together for 2–3 more minutes to combine flavors.

9. Garnish with additional thyme and serve warm.

Notes

Leave the apple peels on for extra color and texture—just slice them thinly.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the chicken. Work in batches if needed.

Deglazing the pan with cider brings out all the savory-sweet flavor bits—don’t skip it!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast + sauce
Calories: 410
Sugar: 11g
Sodium: 670mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 39g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: chicken, skillet, fall, apple, bacon