Easy One Pan Cozy Apple Chicken Hash

This week we have another outside recommendation for a “must try” meal! This Cozy Apple Chicken Hash is a nutritious meal to fuel your days and comes together in a few simple steps!

This recipe was given to me by another chiropractor I work with!  We have a little recipe exchange going on in the clinic and I am eating it up. 😉

Originally a Whole30 recipe (find the link here!), this dish was suggested as a dinner option, though it was actually written as a breakfast creation. In my kitchen, it’s claimed its spot as a quick and easy lunch, and let me tell you, it absolutely delivers.

The flavor profile of this meal is bold and bright. The natural sweetness of the diced Granny Smith apple dances playfully with the earthy, roasted sweet potato, creating a comforting foundation. But the real star for me is the subtle, lingering warmth from the red pepper flakes, a gentle heat that builds with each bite and keeps things interesting. And just when you think you’ve experienced all the textures, the toasty, satisfying crunch of the chopped walnuts bursts through, adding another layer of delicious complexity to this otherwise tender hash. It’s a symphony of sweet, savory, and subtly spicy – a true lunchtime delight!

Chicken thighs are a star in every dish but a pain to cut into smaller pieces. In order to increase the speed factor of this meal you could swap them out for ground chicken or ground turkey! 

Now lets jump into this weeks lunch!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch dice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 sweet potato diced
• 1 Granny smith apple, cored, peeled, and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup apple cider
• 2 generous handfuls arugula or baby spinach
• Splash of apple cider vinegar

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the cooking fat over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan. When the fat is hot, add the chicken, being sure not to crowd the pieces. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
2.  Turn the chicken to brown the other sides, add the walnuts, and cook until the chicken is browned and the walnuts are toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. (Shake the pan occasionally so the walnuts don’t burn.) 
3. Add the sweet potato, apple, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until the chicken is fully cooked, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Pour in the apple cider and mix all the ingredients together, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to bring up any bits.
5. Add the arugula and cook for another 30 seconds, gently stirring to the wilt leaves. Drizzle a little apple cider vinegar and serve or store in containers for the week!

So there you have it, a bowl full of vibrant flavors that comes together in a snap! This Cozy Apple Chicken Hash isn’t just a delicious and satisfying meal; it’s also packed with wholesome goodness from the sweet potato, apple, and protein-rich chicken, all while keeping things wonderfully simple in the kitchen. Enjoy this easy way to nourish your body with real, flavorful ingredients!

As always, let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!

Be well,

Emily

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