Apple Cider Smothered Chicken with Gruyère and Crispy Prosciutto Recipe
Apple Cider Smothered Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring thin-cut chicken breasts smothered in a rich apple cider and cream sauce, topped with melted Gruyère cheese and crispy prosciutto. This recipe combines savory herbs, sweet apples, and a perfectly caramelized onion base to create a delicious meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/2 pounds thin-cut chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 pinch cayenne
Other Ingredients
- 3 ounces prosciutto
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 1 yellow onion, sliced or chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, cut into wedges
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2–1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, and cayenne. Dredge the chicken through this mixture, ensuring an even coating on each piece.
- Cook Prosciutto: Place the prosciutto in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until crispy on all sides, about 5 minutes. Once crispy, remove the prosciutto from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel to drain.
- Sear the Chicken: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the coated chicken breasts. Sear on both sides until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes per side. Add another tablespoon of butter to the skillet and allow it to brown slightly around the chicken for about 2 minutes to add flavor. Then remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Caramelize Onions and Aromatics: Add the sliced or chopped yellow onion to the same skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions start to turn golden. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, fresh chopped sage, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the onions are fully caramelized and fragrant.
- Create Sauce and Combine: Pour in the apple cider and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Then pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Return the chicken breasts and apple wedges to the skillet. Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake and Finish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and top with the crispy prosciutto and additional fresh herbs if desired.
- Serve: Serve the Apple Cider Smothered Chicken hot, ideally with crusty bread to soak up the luscious creamy apple cider sauce. Enjoy this comforting, flavorful dish.
Notes
- Use thin-cut chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
- If you do not have Gruyère cheese, Swiss or mozzarella can be used as alternatives, though Gruyère provides a rich, nutty flavor.
- Adjust the amount of heavy cream depending on how creamy you prefer the sauce.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil and use a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Crisping the prosciutto adds a delightful texture contrast to the creamy sauce.
Keywords: Chicken, Apple Cider, Cream Sauce, Gruyère, Prosciutto, Autumn Recipes, Comfort Food, Skillet, Oven-Baked