Chicken with Apple Cider Sauce

Today the temperatures really dropped and it was finally light jacket weather. Fall is on it’s way! Even though I’m having a hard time letting go of summer, I do love fall. Our Sunset Maples are turning the most gorgeous apricot color and leaves are starting to cover our pastures. And I am sooooo looking forward to Halloween this year!

Since I’m in such a fall mood this week for Tyler Florence Fridays I made Chicken with Apple Cider Sauce served over a bed of lightly Sauteed Fresh Apples. This simple dish was absolutely outstanding! When I had finished my Chicken with Cider Sauce I wanted more, so I’m thinking we might have it again for tomorrow’s dinner.

I made this dish exactly as written except I cut down the vinegar to 1 tsp. And I breaded the chicken breasts in flour, pecan meal, salt and pepper and sauteed it in EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and a teeny bit of butter. To make the bed of sauteed apples, just slice fresh apples a heavy 1/4″ thick and lightly saute in EVOO and butter until just barely soft. Make sure you do not over cook the apples because they will be too soft and difficult to stack.

Chicken with Apple Cider Sauce
Recipe adapted from Tyler Florence

2 TBL vegetable oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves **See NOTE
2 tsp kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 TBL unsalted butter
1 TBL apple cider vinegar (I used 1 tsp vinegar)
3/4 c apple cider
1/2 c low-sodium chicken broth
1 TBL fresh lemon juice
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Preheat a medium to large skillet over medium-high heat, for about 1 minute or until the surface of the pan is hot. Add the oil and heat until rippling on the surface. Pat the chicken breast dry and season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the pan and cook until the meat is golden, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken breasts, lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of the butter. Cook until firm to the touch or an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F, about 4 to 6 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest.

Pour off any fat remaining in the skillet. Add the vinegar and deglaze over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the cider and the broth. Bring to a boil and cook until it thickens to form a sauce, about 6 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice and thyme leaves. Return the chicken to the pan, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve.

NOTE: I breaded the chicken breasts in about 1/2 c. flour, 1/4 c. pecan meal, salt and pepper. Whip the egg. Dredge the chicken in the flour mix. Brush whipped egg on each breast and dredge again in the flour mix.

Sauteed Apple Slices
Recipe developed by Big Black Dog

2 apples (I used a Macintosh and a Granny Smith)
1 TBL EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
2 tsp butter

Slice apples into 1/2″ thick slices. Heat EVOO and butter until melted. Add slices of apple careful to not over lap any slices. Flip slices over to cover all sides with EVOO/butter. Heat until apple is just barely tender. Remove and set aside.

To serve arrange apple slices in an appealing manner in the middle of a plate and place 1 chicken breast on top. Drizzle with the warm Cider Sauce.

Please visit Tyler Florence Fridays and see what the rest of Tyler’s groupies are up too this week.

Foodie Friday is graciously hosted by Michael of Designs by Gollum. Please visit Designs by Gollum and see more wonderful creations!

All Rights Reserved 2008-9 © Big Black Dog

Tagged as: Apple, Apple Cider, Chicken