Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner from mundane to magnificent with this mouthwatering Instant Pot Apple Balsamic Chicken! Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts perfectly seared and bathed in a tantalizing sweet-and-tangy sauce, with soft apple slices that melt in your mouth. This recipe isn't just a meal; it's a culinary experience that combines the richness of balsamic vinegar, the sweetness of honey, and the aromatic touch of fresh thyme - all created in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Honey
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Apples
- Thyme
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by trimming chicken breasts and cutting into even-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
- Season chicken breasts generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
- Peel and mince fresh garlic cloves finely to release maximum flavor during cooking.
- Core and slice apples into thin wedges, keeping them approximately 1/4 inch thick for consistent texture.
- Set Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Brown seasoned chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until light golden color develops, creating a flavorful exterior.
- Remove browned chicken and set aside momentarily.
- In the same Instant Pot, combine apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, honey, and minced garlic, whisking to create a harmonious sauce.
- Return chicken to Instant Pot, nestling pieces into the liquid mixture.
- Add apple slices around and between chicken pieces.
- Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the entire dish for aromatic enhancement.
- Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes after cooking completes.
- Carefully release remaining pressure and open lid.
- Check chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F using meat thermometer.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Plate chicken with apple slices and drizzle remaining pan sauce over the top.
- Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves if desired and serve immediately.
Tips
- Always use room temperature chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and prevent tough meat.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear.
- Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Don't skip browning the chicken - this step builds incredible depth of flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes to keep chicken incredibly moist and tender.
- For extra richness, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the sauce before serving.
- Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or with a side of roasted vegetables to complete the meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 289kcal
Carbohydrates: 27g
Protein: 31g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 85mg
