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    Ask Chef Dennis » Recipes » Main Meals » Poultry Recipes » Jack Daniels Apple Butter Chicken

    Jack Daniels Apple Butter Chicken

    Published: Nov 30, 2017 · Modified: Apr 26, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley · 20 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    4.8 from 10 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    With the change in the weather, I start thinking about soulful warming comfort foods and my Jack Daniels Apple Butter Chicken certainly fits into that category of deliciousness!

    chicken thighs with carrots and apples in a Jack Daniels apple butter sauce sprinkled with parsley on a white plate

    You may have seen my apple butter pizza that I shared on my blog. I thought that pizza rocked and that blending apple butter with tomato, was a stroke of genius! But what it also did was started me thinking about other ways to incorporate apple butter into my cooking and that’s how I came up with my Apple Butter Chicken.

    Jack Daniels apple butter chicken on a white plate with a Red Napkin underneath, a bowl of red apples and 2 leeks crossed all sitting on a bright blue table

    Mama Jeanette taught me how to listen to food, she would tell me “sonny boy, a dish will tell you what it wants if you give it a chance, you just have to open up your mind and listen”. As usual, she was right, and teaching me to listen was the greatest gift anyone could have ever given me.

    So as I’ve done so many times before, I simply took a deep breath closed my eyes, and imagined myself making the dish. And as I begin building the dish, and combining the flavors, it all came together……..

    chicken thighs with carrots and apples in a Jack Daniels apple butter sauce sprinkled with parsley on a white plate

     The flavors in this dish flowed together seamlessly, with the saltiness of the chicken stock, complementing the sweet flavors of the apple butter, carrots and caramelized leeks. Add that to the perfectly seared chicken thighs, the still crunchy apples and of course the tangy flavor and aroma of Jack Daniels and my friends you have heaven on a plate! What a perfect dinner for those cool fall nights……..I mean what’s better than comfort food on a cold autumn night.

    If you don’t want to use alcohol in your cooking you can replace the Jack Daniels with Dr. Pepper or your favorite root beer.

    If you enjoy restaurant-style dishes made with poultry, you’re going to love these!

    • Pan Seared Duck Breast 
    • Chicken and Shrimp Pepperoni
    • Chicken Marsala
    • Chicken Sorrento

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    chicken thighs with carrots and apples in a Jack Daniels apple butter sauce sprinkled with parsley on a white plate
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    4.8 from 10 votes

    Jack Daniels Apple Butter Chicken

    With fall in the air and winter soon approaching this delightfully delicious dish is just the type of comfort food you need.   Serve my Jack Daniels Apple Butter Chicken at your home tonight.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 1041kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz chicken thighs boneless skinless
    • 1 oz extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tbsp butter
    • 1 large firm sweet tart apple cored, skin on and sliced, I used Honey crisp
    • 2 medium carrots peeled and sliced on a bias
    • 1 large leek sliced
    • 1 tsp brown sugar
    • 1 cup chicken stock
    • 1 cup apple butter
    • 2 oz Jack Daniels
    • 1 tbsp butter
    • sea salt and pepper to taste
    US Customary – Metric
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    Instructions

    • Add olive oil and butter into a large skillet and allow the pan to get hot
    • dredge chicken things in flour seasoned with sea salt and pepper
    • Add floured chicken thighs, leeks and carrots sprinkle with brown sugar,
    • Sear chicken and allow it to get good color while leeks and carrots caramelize (about 5 minutes). Turn the chicken over to cook the other side for 3-4 minutes.
    • Add bourbon and allow alcohol to cook off
    • Remove chicken and vegetables from pan.
    • place chicken in a baking pan and put it in a preheated 325-degree oven while making the sauce. It will be in the oven for the 10 minutes it takes to finish the sauce.
    • Add chicken stock, and apple butter, blend together and turn down the heat to low, allow sauce to reduce until it thickens up (about 5 minutes)
    • Return the vegetables to the sauce, add the apples, and remaining butter.
    • Season with black pepper and sea salt if necessary (salt will enhance the flavor of the apple butter)
    • Divide between two plates and place the seared chicken thighs on top of the veggies and sauce.
    • Serve with roasted potatoes and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1041kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 469mg | Potassium: 917mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 10770IU | Vitamin C: 9.6mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eric

      September 25, 2021 at 10:27 pm

      4 stars
      Nice fall flavor. Went with a honey butter and bullet bourbon. Chased it down with pumpkin ice cream to really kick off the fall feels.

      Reply
    2. Lynn

      December 12, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      5 stars
      I made this with pork chops and subbed bourbon for vanilla extract . Reduced the apple butter til thick came out amazing very pleased

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        December 13, 2017 at 2:38 pm

        Thanks for the feedback Lynn, and I’m happy to hear you had fun with the recipe! It’s all about making it your own.

        Reply
    3. Connie Pearson

      November 30, 2017 at 5:03 pm

      Your description has me salivating! I WILL be making this soon. I already have the chicken thighs and the apple butter. Gotta find some root beer. 🙂

      Reply
    4. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen

      January 05, 2013 at 2:13 pm

      Nothing short of amazing!

      Reply
    5. Jenny @ Savour the Senses

      October 27, 2012 at 11:10 pm

      This sounds so great, I was actually just thinking of making a dish with whiskey but i didn’t have any pork, which was what I wanted to use. You have given me new inspiration! =)

      Reply
    6. Laura @ Family Spice

      October 20, 2012 at 10:29 am

      Oooh! Loving your creative process and what a fabulous creation you concocted! I would love to dive into this dish, head first!

      Reply
    7. Dara

      October 18, 2012 at 1:48 pm

      This dish look fabulous. I especially like reading about your process, which is fascinating. I think this recipe is a winner!

      Reply
    8. Larry

      October 17, 2012 at 5:56 am

      Brilliant Dennis – careful not to hurt our arm on this one either :-). I’ve tried to be a fan of apple butter on toast, biscuits, etc. but just can’t seem to get there – however, in the dish I believe I could.

      Reply
    9. Carol

      October 16, 2012 at 11:23 pm

      5 stars
      Chef, I made this dish tonight. It was easy to prepare, the chicken was flavorful and tender, and the sauce was delicious. I served it with wild rice mixed with some cranberries and toasted pecans to compliment the apple flavor. Thank you for the recipe which now resides in my ‘favorites’ file.

      Reply
      • Chef D

        October 17, 2012 at 5:32 am

        Hi Carol
        thank you so much for trying my dish and I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it! Your side dish sounds like the perfect accompaniment to this delightful fall dish!

        Cheers
        Dennis

        Reply
    10. Minnie@thelady8home

      October 16, 2012 at 8:52 am

      Chef, this looks mouthwatering. Delicious!

      Reply
    11. Lynn

      October 15, 2012 at 11:35 pm

      5 stars
      What I really like about this dish is it’s quick and on the healthier side. I live 40 minutes from an area called Apple Hill. You can guess what’s there right about this time of year. I need to make a trip to purchase several pounds of apples to make apple butter. Yes, I know I can purchase it from Musselmans but I’m one of those food preserving and canning types!

      Reply
    12. Jess @ Floptimism

      October 15, 2012 at 8:02 pm

      “sonny boy, a dish will tell you what it wants if you give it a chance, you just have to open up your mind and listen” I absolutely love this. It makes me realize how much more often I should just stop and be in the moment of cooking.

      Reply
    13. Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life

      October 15, 2012 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      Looks great, wow!

      Reply
    14. Debra

      October 15, 2012 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      The photo’s made my mouth water. The ingredients list made it a must make!

      Reply
    15. Candace

      October 15, 2012 at 11:47 am

      I would have never thought of putting all of these wonderful flavors together. This looks sooo good, Chef! I’m definitely going to be making this one. Yum!

      Reply
    16. Betty Ann @Mango_Queen

      October 15, 2012 at 9:31 am

      5 stars
      What a coincidence! I was just staring at my own jar of apple butter in the ref. and was wondering what to make with it. Thanks for giving me this great recipe idea. I must try this ! Off to get the chicken in the freezer now. Happy Mon., Chef Dennis 🙂

      Reply
    17. RavieNomNoms

      October 15, 2012 at 7:46 am

      Ok so, I am saving this and it is going to be made SOON. It looks amazing CHEF! WOW

      Reply
    18. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

      October 14, 2012 at 10:23 pm

      Oh, I love this dish, Chef! Just from your description I know it’s delicious and your Jack Daniels-Apple Butter sauce sounds divine!

      Reply

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