There are very few things that make sense about toddlers (or raising them), but this chicken dinner may just be one of them. Chicken. Apples. Honey. Butternut squash. Sweet, creamy, tangy–for once, everything plays well together. Braised chicken with apples: an easy combo for anyone to like, including your pickiest eater; it’s versatile, too–good for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion (Rosh Hashanah, anyone?)
Check out our other savory apple recipes and our great chicken recipes, too!
A Savory Apple Dish For Fall Dinners
There’s something about fall that begs for cozy, one-pot meals — and this braised chicken with apples is exactly that. Tender chicken thighs, sweet apples, and hearty butternut squash come together in a savory-sweet sauce that feels like autumn in a bowl. The pumpkin pie spice adds a gentle warmth (without being overwhelming for kids), while apple juice and cider vinegar keep the dish bright and flavorful.
The best part? This braised chicken with apples recipe is family-friendly through and through. It’s mild enough for toddlers, but still complex and satisfying for adults. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or even buttered egg noodles for an easy weeknight dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients at a Glance
- Chicken thighs for rich, juicy flavor
- Pumpkin pie spice for cozy, fall-forward seasoning
- Apples & butternut squash for sweetness and texture
- Onion for balance
- A sauce made with broth, apple juice, cider vinegar, and honey for that perfect tangy-sweet glaze
Making Braised Chicken With Apples
- Sear chicken for crisp skin and flavor.
- Sauté onion, apples, and squash.
- Deglaze with broth, juice, vinegar, and honey.
- Braise in the oven until tender.
- Finish with a quick thickened sauce.
FAQ
Can I make this ahead?
Yes — this braised chicken with apples actually gets better the next day as the flavors meld. Reheat gently on the stove.
What can I serve this with?
Mashed potatoes, polenta, buttered noodles, or rice all make great bases to soak up the sauce.
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken?
Absolutely — just let the apples and squash cook for 25 minutes, then add the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Why Parents Will Love It
- Seasonal flavors that make the whole kitchen smell amazing.
- Balanced sweetness and tang that appeals to kids and adults alike.
- One-pot simplicity — less cleanup after a busy weeknight.
- Leftover-friendly — perfect for next-day lunches.
Braised Chicken with Apples And Squash | Easy Fall Dinner
Description
This braised chicken with apples is a simple, family-friendly fall dinner. Tender chicken, sweet apples, and savory squash come together in one cozy, easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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Pat dry chicken pieces. Rub pumpkin pie spice all over chicken pieces; sprinkle with salt.
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Dice onion into small pieces; cut apples and squash into small cubes.
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Preheat oven to 325. Make sure to move and/or remove your top oven rack to ensure you have space in your oven for a covered pot.
Cook and Assemble
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Heat a large oven-safe pot or Dutch Oven to Medium High; cover the bottom in a light pool of oil (~ one tablespoon). Add chicken pieces into pot skin-side down and allow to sear, untouched, for four minutes; flip pieces and allow to cook for another 60-90 seconds. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
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Reduce heat to Medium; toss onion pieces into the pot and cook, stirring often, until soft, roughly 4-5 minutes.
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Add in apple and squash pieces; cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan.
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Pour in chicken broth, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and honey; turn heat up and bring the pot to a boil. Add chicken and cover the pot; move pot to oven.
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Heat until chicken is cooked-through and tender, roughly 30-35 minutes. (Note: if you want a firmer texture on your chicken, cook for 45 minutes.)
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While the pot is in the oven, in a small bowl mix the two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with the cornstarch until the cornstarch is fully dissolved in the liquid.
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Move chicken, apple, and squash pieces from the pot to a separate plate; return pot to stove and turn heat up to High. Bring the liquid to a boil.
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Pour into vinegar-cornstarch mix pot and stir; stir until sauce thickens, roughly 30-60 seconds. Remove pot from heat.
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Pour sauce over chicken, apples, and squash.
Serve
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As you can see in the recipe picture, we like serving this over mashed potatoes (or polenta)--a slop bowl for kids, if you will. Since all the ingredients are quite similar texturally, we find it an accessible means of encouraging small kids to eat foods together; but it also makes it easy to separate out individual pieces if so inclined. (Note: to say the obvious, we cut the chicken from the bone.)
Adapt
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Pretty much any root vegetable can sub in for squash: sweet potato, parsnip, carrots, etc. Pork is a logical alternative for chicken here: choose pork chops–you’ll cut them into smaller pieces after cooking–and heat for about 50 minutes in the same way and temperature as listed in the recipe above.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 5
Serving Size meat from one piece of chicken + apples, squash, and sauce
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 150kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4g7%
- Sodium 100mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 17g6%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 12g
- Protein 15g30%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
User Reviews
Wasn’t sure how this would go, but I had everything in house and really want my son to eat butternut squash. It went…not bad! The textures worked really well for him, and I liked the gentle tanginess of the dish.