This dish is scrumptious, easy to put together and full of rich maple flavor. Please use Pure Maple Syrup, not Aunt Jemima or any other brand of syrups found on your grocery shelf.

Prep time: 11 minutes Cook: 23 minutes plus additional 30 minutes(marination) Total time: 1 hour 4 minutes Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup apple juice

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

cooking spray

1 tablespoon butter

2 large Granny Smith apples (I used the Honey Crisp Apples I had on hand), peeled, cored, quartered, and sliced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

thyme sprigs

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

Combine chicken and next 3 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; seal bag and marinate chicken in refrigerator for 30 minutes. (I actually ended up marinating mine overnight).

Step 2

Remove chicken from marinade, reserving marinade. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken; cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

Step 3

Melt butter in pan over medium-high heat. Add apples; sauté 4 minutes. Add reserved marinade, salt, pepper, and cinnamon; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes or until reduced slightly. Return chicken to pan; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish with thyme sprigs if desired.

Bon Appetite!!!