Apple Cinnamon Chicken Bites Recipe. Boneless chicken bites sauteed with garlic, onions, apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
Looking to use up extra apples? This recipe is for you.
I had a bunch of apples that were starting to get soft, so I was looking for ways to use them before they spoiled. So, I invented this apple cinnamon chicken bites recipe.
This dish is that perfect sweet taste of fall. Even though it is spring time, I still wanted the comfort of fall for this quick chicken dinner.
This recipe comes together quickly, and depending how soft you like your apples, can be finished in under 30 minutes.
I do not like my apple too soft. I enjoy a bite to them. So for me, this is a quick recipe.
Why Chicken Bites?
As someone who approaches cooking with a technical mindset, I prefer “bites” over whole breasts for two reasons: efficiency and flavor distribution. Cutting the chicken into smaller pieces increases the surface area, allowing every single bite to be coated in that cinnamon-butter glaze. It reduces the cook time to under 30 minutes, which is essential for any busy Dad.
The “Starting Lineup” of Ingredients
This recipe is built on simple, reliable pantry staples balanced with fresh fruit. Here is your blueprint:
- The Protein: 2 boneless chicken breasts, cubed into uniform “bites.”
- The Fruit Foundation: 2 apples (Gala or Honeycrisp work great), roughly chopped.
- The Aromatics: Sliced garlic, chopped onions, and a half-stick of butter.
- The Sweet & Spice: Light brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Cook by Feel: If your apples are extra juicy, you might not need the extra water. If you like a thicker glaze, let it simmer uncovered for an extra minute.
- The Tactile Experience: Pay attention to the sound of the sizzle. If the pan goes quiet, your heat is too low; if it’s popping aggressively, turn it down just a touch.
- Ingredients at the Ready: Since this moves fast, have your apples chopped and your spices measured before you turn on the stove.
NOTE
Before beginning the recipe remember to read the “Invent Your Recipe” section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.
How To Make Apple Cinnamon Chicken Bites
Searing for Texture
- In a large skillet or pot, melt your butter over high heat. Once it’s bubbling, add your chicken pieces. We aren’t looking to cook them all the way through yet; we just want a quick 4-minute sauté to get a golden-brown exterior.
- Remove the chicken and set it aside; this keeps the meat tender while we build the flavor base.
Sautéing the Flavor Base
- Keep that heat high! Add your onions and garlic to the buttery pan with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes. The smell of garlic and butter is the foundation of so many great Italian-American dishes, but here, we’re about to pivot into something unique.
Creating the Glaze
- Add your chopped apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sauté for another 2 minutes. I personally don’t like my apples to be “mushy.” I prefer them to have a bit of a bite, providing a nice structural contrast to the soft chicken.
Bringing the Invention Together
- Finally, return the chicken to the pan. If you notice any sticking, add a splash of water (about 2 ounces). This creates a light steam that finishes the chicken and pulls the brown sugar and cinnamon into a silky glaze.
- Sauté for 5 more minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is clinging to every piece.
How To Serve Apple Cinnamon Chicken Bites
- Serve this apple cinnamon chicken bites recipe with a side of your favorite grain and vegetable.
Invent Your Recipe
For this recipe, I am using gala apples, but you can use whichever apples you prefer. This dish would also work well with pears, peaches, or plums. Change up the fruit and see what you like.
Instead of chicken, you could use boneless pork loin, boneless turkey breasts, or sirloin steak. Just cut your choice meat into cubes and follow the recipe.
I chose to just add onions into the recipe, but you could add other vegetables as well. Carrots or sweet potatoes would pair nicely with the sweetness of this recipe. Change this apple cinnamon chicken bites recipe up and add in your favorite vegetables.
For more recipes like this apple cinnamon chicken bites dish, check out our chicken recipes page.
Expand Your Starting Lineup: Recommended Recipes
If you enjoyed the sweet and savory balance of this dish, add these “inventions” to your weekly rotation:
- Honey Glazed Chicken Bites – A 22-minute recipe that follows a similar “bite-sized” blueprint for maximum flavor.
- Master BBQ Chicken Bites Base – Another reliable one-pan meal that uses pantry staples to beat decision fatigue.
- 55 Easy Chicken Recipes for Dinner – My treasure trove of chicken blueprints ranging from healthy to hearty.
- Simple Sweet Potato Croquettes – The perfect side dish to pair with the cinnamon notes of this chicken.
- The Ultimate Ingredient Swap Guide – Use this to pivot any of my recipes when your garden or pantry offers something different.
The Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Chicken Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts cubed
- ½ stick butter
- 1 small onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 apples cored and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 ounces water if needed
Instructions
Preparing Chicken:
- In a large pot or skillet add in the butter and melt on high heat. Next, add in the chicken pieces and sauté for 4 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
Bringing Everything Together:
- Continuing on high heat, add in the onions, garlic, salt, and ground black pepper and sauté for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and sauté for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Finally, add the chicken back in, and water if needed, and sauté for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
To Serve:
- Serve this apple cinnamon chicken bites recipe with a side of your favorite grain and vegetable.
Invent Your Recipe
Nutrition
