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An Apple a Day, and Chicken of Course!

Apples are one of the most widely available and consumed fruits. While they come into season in Canada in early fall, they have become available year round at most grocery stores.

Freshly baked apple pie is possibly the most emblematic apple dish that comes to mind during apple season. And the other iconic dishes are just as sweet – apple jam, apple cider, applesauce, apple turnovers. Apples are most widely incorporated into dessert recipes, but they make a welcome addition to savoury dishes as well. They add a wonderful freshness, crisp texture and sweet/tart flavour. They happen to pair wonderfully with chicken, whose mild flavour and hearty texture act as the perfect canvas for a sweet and savoury contrast. Apples are also rich in vitamin C and fibre, giving your recipe an additional nutritional boost.

With so many varieties of apple to choose from, how do you know which is the right one for your recipe? Here are a few things to consider.

Flavour. Some apples run sweet, like Honey Crisp or Ambrosia, while some are tart, like Granny Smith. Choose a flavour that compliments the dish you’re making. You can use multiple varieties in the same recipe to get the right balance.

Texture. It is also important to choose an apple that will hold up well against the heat of cooking. If you want your apples to maintain their shape and texture when done, choose a denser apple like Cortland or Gala. If your desired result is more of an apple purée, then McIntosh or Red Delicious are good choices.

Preparation. Be sure to wash your apples well with warm water and remove the core and seeds, which have an unpalatable flavour and texture. Cut your apples into appropriately sized pieces. Thinly sliced pieces will likely dissolve when cooked for long periods of time. Cut larger chunks if you want them to retain their shape.

With these points in mind, this apple season – or next time you’re at the grocery store – grab a few of your favourite cooking apples and try out one of these delicious chicken and apple recipes.

  1. Recipes

    Salad of Apples, Grapes & Roast Chicken with Korean Dressing

    This tasty Korean-style dressing blends up in a snap and is great on green, leafy salads.
  2. Recipes

    Apple Cider Poached Chicken & Arugula Salad

    Tart cherries, sharp cheese, and bitter arugula work together in this delectable salad to complement the familiar flavours of cider-poached chicken.
  3. Recipes

    Apple-Sage Chicken Saute

    All too often we forget that apples can star in the saute pan as well as the fruit bowl.
  4. Recipes

    Spiced Chicken & Apple Omelette

    Try this easy and economical omelette that pairs crisp, juicy apples with warm cinnamon, Canadian cheddar and leftover roast chicken.
  5. Recipes

    One Minute Chicken and Apple Tortilla Melt

    This portable sandwich will be the star of your child’s lunchbox.
  6. Recipes

    Chicken in Apple Mustard Sauce

    The tart, sweet apple and pungent onion make a dazzling contrast in flavours.
  7. Recipes

    Autumn Chicken and Apple Stew

    Take advantage of the best of fall’s flavours with this autumn stew.
  8. Recipes

    Chicken, Apple and Bacon Skewers

    Sweet, savoury and smoky skewers are glazed with real maple syrup and grilled to caramelized perfection.
  9. Recipes

    Braised Apple Balsamic Chicken Thighs

    Simple pantry ingredients come together to make flavourful and affordable weeknight dish.
  10. Recipes

    Big Juicy Apple Cheddar Burgers

    These delicious chicken burgers are topped with whole berry cranberry sauce mixed with Dijon mustard.
  11. Recipes

    BBQ Chicken over Apple Maple Baked Beans

    Here is a hearty slow cooker meal you can quickly put together using common kitchen ingredients. It is popular with kids and adults alike.
  12. Recipes

    Curried Waldorf Salad

    This is a combination of two classic salads: the Waldorf and the curried chicken salad.
  13. Recipes

    Chicken Sausage Patties with Apples & Sage

    These versatile sausage patties are a welcome addition to any meal. Serve alongside eggs in the morning, or as a burger at supper.
  14. Recipes

    Maple Glazed Chicken with Cheddar Apple Stuffing

    Chicken breasts are plumped up with a sage-scented apple and cheddar stuffing, roasted to perfection and then finished with a maple-Dijon glaze.