Baked Apple Honey Dijon Chicken Breasts Recipe
This Baked Apple Honey Dijon Chicken Breasts recipe features juicy, seasoned chicken breasts baked with sliced apples and a homemade apple honey dijon glaze. The combination of smoky spices, sweet apples, and tangy dijon mustard creates a deliciously balanced flavor perfect for an easy and elegant meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts
- 4 large organic chicken breasts, bone-in (can use boneless; see Notes for cooking time adjustment)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons On Everything All-Purpose Blend (store-bought or homemade; see Notes)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 medium apple, sliced (skin on is fine; see blog post for apple varieties)
- 1 cup organic chicken stock
Homemade Apple Honey Dijon Glaze
- ½ cup raw honey
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 medium apple, sliced
- ¼ cup organic chicken stock
Instructions
- Prep + Season Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly grease a non-stick griddle pan or a large oven-safe cast iron skillet. In a large bowl, combine cleaned and rinsed chicken breasts with olive oil and all seasonings—sea salt, On Everything All-Purpose Blend, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, and smoked paprika—making sure every piece is well coated. Place the seasoned chicken breasts on a clean cutting board and make small slit-like cuts about 1 inch apart on the top surface of each breast to help flavor penetrate. For best results, marinate the coated chicken in a sealed ziplock bag in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. Bring to room temperature 15–20 minutes before baking.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts on the prepared pan side by side with some space in between. Distribute the sliced apples between and around the chicken. If you want, add veggies like potatoes or butternut squash alongside the chicken to cook through as well. Pour 1 cup of chicken stock around the ingredients. Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes until the chicken is golden brown, crispy on the outside, and fully cooked inside (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Around the last 15 minutes of baking, proceed to prepare and add the glaze.
- Make the Apple Honey Dijon Glaze: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine raw honey, dijon mustard, sliced apple, and ¼ cup chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Remove from heat.
- Glaze and Finish Baking: Generously spoon the warm apple honey dijon glaze over the chicken breasts and any vegetables in the pan until fully coated. Reserve a small amount of glaze for serving, if desired. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 15 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize beautifully on the chicken.
- Serve: Remove the baked chicken from the oven, allow it to cool slightly, and spoon the remaining glaze over the top. Serve warm with your choice of sides such as fresh salad, pasta, basmati or brown rice, or mashed potatoes. Enjoy your flavorful, baked apple honey dijon chicken!
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken breasts for better moisture; if using boneless, reduce initial baking time by about 5–7 minutes and watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
- The “On Everything All-Purpose Blend” is a seasoning mix you can buy or create at home with ingredients like sesame seeds, dried garlic, onion, poppy seeds, and sea salt for authentic flavor.
- For the apples, choose firm varieties such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji to hold their shape during baking and provide a balance of sweet and tart.
- Marinating the chicken enhances flavor and juiciness. If short on time, seasoning and baking immediately is acceptable, though less flavorful.
- Adding vegetables like potatoes or butternut squash is optional but recommended for a one-pan meal. Adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure veggies are tender.
- Internal temperature for fully cooked chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) for safety.
