Creamy Skillet Chicken with Apples Delivers 28 Grams of Protein

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This apple-Dijon chicken skillet is a cozy, one-pan dinner that captures the best flavors of fall. Golden seared chicken cutlets are simmered in a creamy Dijon sauce with sweet-tart Honeycrisp apples and caramelized onions, creating a balance of savory depth and gentle sweetness. Elegant enough for entertaining yet simple enough for a weeknight, it’s comfort food with a seasonal twist.

Recipe image of Skillet Chicken with Apples & Dijon Cream Sauce
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

Active Time:
50 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
4
  • This flavorful fall dinner is made in one skillet for quick cleanup.
  • This dish is protein- and fiber-rich for a filling, satisfying meal.
  • You can substitute the chicken cutlets with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

This Skillet Chicken with Apples & Dijon Cream Sauce is as comforting as it is delicious. Succulent protein-packed chicken is simply seasoned and pairs perfectly with sweet Honeycrisp apples and caramelized onions. The creamy, slightly tangy Dijon sauce clings to it all and is finished with a sprinkling of fresh thyme, bringing these classic fall flavors together. Keep reading for our expert tips, including what ingredient substitutions can be made.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • If you can’t find chicken cutlets, use boneless breasts and slice them horizontally, then pound them thin between sheets of plastic wrap. Alternatively, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
  • Choose Granny Smith apples for their tartness or Fuji for their sweetness. Alternatively, you can use any firm, semisweet/tart apple that retains its shape when cooked. Honeycrisp and Braeburn would work too.
  • You can substitute the Dijon mustard with whole-grain or stone-ground mustard, or try using honey Dijon or herbal Dijon for a different flavor.
  • Fresh thyme makes a flavorful garnish, but dried thyme works well too—just add a small amount earlier in the cooking process so that it has time to soften into the sauce. You can also substitute rosemary or sage.

Nutrition Notes

  • Chicken breast is an amazing source of lean protein. It also provides several micronutrients essential for overall good health and a healthy nervous system and metabolism, including choline and B vitamins. 
  • Apples bring their anti-inflammatory antioxidants and fiber to this dish. Regularly eating apples has been linked to reduced risk of disease, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
  • Onions are associated with a healthier heart, gut and brain. The powerful plant compounds in onions have even been shown to benefit vision and eye health.
  • Chicken broth doesn’t typically add much in the way of nutrition, though this can vary, depending on the brand. It can, however, add more sodium than you might want, especially if you have high blood pressure. Choose a reduced-sodium broth or a no-salt-added broth, allowing you to tailor the flavor more to your liking.
Ingredients for skillet chicken dish including chicken onion butter apple thyme Dijon mustard cream and seasonings

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 4 (4-ounce) chicken cutlets

  • ¾ teaspoon ground pepper, plus more for garnish

  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium sweet onion (about 8 ounces), thinly sliced

  • 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided

  • 2 small Honeycrisp apples (about 6 ounces each), sliced ¼-inch thick

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Pat 4 chicken cutlets dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with ¾ teaspoon pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm. Do not wipe the skillet clean.

    Chicken breasts cooking in a skillet

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

  2. Add sliced onion to the skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add ¼ cup broth; cook, stirring constantly and scraping up browned bits, until the liquid has evaporated and the onion is softened, about 2 minutes. Add apple slices; cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon mustard and the remaining ¾ cup broth and ¼ teaspoon salt; bring to a boil over high heat.

    Sliced apples cooking in a skillet with onion and a cream sauce

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

  3. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the onion mixture. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer; cook until the sauce has slightly reduced and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 155°F, about 5 minutes. Stir in ¼ cup cream and return to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer; cook, stirring occasionally and flipping the chicken once, until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken reaches 160°F, about 7 minutes more.

    A dish of cooked chicken breasts with apple slices in a creamy sauce in a skillet

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

  4. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon butter until melted. (The chicken will continue cooking to 165°F from the residual heat.) Garnish with thyme leaves and/or additional pepper, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I prevent the sauce from becoming too runny or separating?

    To control the consistency of the sauce, we first cook the onion and apples. After they are softened, we deglaze the pan with chicken broth to create a flavorful base. Next, we whisk in Dijon mustard, followed by cream, which helps stabilize the sauce and keeps it smooth, preventing it from splitting. If you prefer a thicker sauce, sprinkle a teaspoon of flour over the onion before adding the broth.

  • Is deglazing important?

    Yes, it is. Deglazing the skillet with broth after cooking the onions may seem like an extra step, but it helps lift all the browned bits from the pan, adding much more depth to the sauce. Cooking the chicken just slightly underdone (around 155°F) before returning it to the sauce ensures it remains juicy, while the residual heat allows it to finish cooking fully.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat it, return it to the skillet and add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Heat it over medium heat until it reaches your desired temperature. Using the microwave is not an ideal method because it can ruin the taste and texture of the chicken. If you must use one, stick with heating in 30-second to 1-minute increments.

  • Can I freeze leftovers?

    No. We don’t recommend freezing this dish because the cream can become grainy and also separate.

  • What should I serve with Skillet Chicken with Apples & Dijon Cream Sauce?

    This skillet dish is excellent when served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles or wild rice to soak up the sauce. It pairs well with a variety of vegetable side dishes, such as our Balsamic-Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan, Maple Roasted Carrots or Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts. You can also serve it alongside our Leafy Green Salad or Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, November 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

325 Calories
19g Fat
12g Carbs
28g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 chicken cutlet & about ⅓ cup onion-apple mixture
Calories 325
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 8g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 28g 56%
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Vitamin A 97µg
Vitamin C 5mg 5%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 13%
Folate 26µg
Vitamin K 7µg
Sodium 444mg 19%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Magnesium 43mg 10%
Potassium 569mg 12%
Zinc 1mg 9%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.