Next Post
Crispy Rosemary Butter Roasted Potatoes.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
This Healthier 30 Minute Beer Braised Chicken is for cold fall nights when you want a hearty and warming slow-braised chicken, but you want it ready in less than an hour. All made in the instant pot (with slow cooker and stove-stop directions too), using simple, wholesome ingredients that you may already have on hand. The key to this chicken is all in the beer, which gives the sauce a deep, rich flavor. This dish is warm, flavorful, hearty but healthy, so delicious, and great for busy nights.
You know those recipes that are just really good? The ones you turn to time and time again because they never fail and everyone always loves them? Well, this is very much one of those recipes. And I love so much that I get to share it with you guys because it’s so perfect for the crazy months ahead.
Funny enough, this recipe was inspired by one I made way back in the very early days of writing Half Baked Harvest. I was still living at home with my family, and cooking dinner every night. When it comes to eating, my family usually sways towards the simpler, midwest style recipe. They’ve now come to love just about everything I make, but the comfort food recipes will always be their favorites.
Anyway, the original recipe that inspired today’s similar, but different, recipe was from October 2013. I still cannot believe that HBH is getting so old! It was and still is, a delicious dish, but this version is healthier, better, and easier too. Our recent extra chilly temperatures call for serious comfort food, so I pulled this out of the archives.
PS. if you want to take a little trip down memory lane, you can see the post I’m talking about here. My writing and my photos scare me, but I love that I have these super old posts to look back on. It’s really fun to see the growth and how far HBH has come since the beginning of our second year!!
As I said, my family loves comfort food and one of their favorites is chicken and rice. This is basically just the fancier upgrade. And you guys…it’s SO GOOD.
The chicken is cooked in pumpkin beer along with roasted tomatoes, seasonings, and a touch of bacon for added flavor. I like to serve this over steamed with a generous side of my favorite honey butter beer bread. (Recipe in the HBH cookbook).
It’s so cozy and so delicious, but yet pretty healthy too!
Here is how you make this easy beer braised chicken:
I prefer to make this in the instant pot. I recently upgraded to this one and am loving it so much. That said, I’ve also included slow cooker and stovetop cooking directions for those who may not have an Instant Pot.
First things first, start a pot of rice so that it cooks while the chicken is cooking. Yes, rice and beer bread are pretty much required with this dish. Promise you will be so happy you went along with these additions.
Next, the bacon. This adds so much flavor to this dish and using a little really goes a long way. I love the smokiness it brings.
Once the bacon has been crisped, sear the chicken right in the instant pot. Then add all the remaining ingredients…tomatoes, peppers, spices, and pumpkin beer (or whatever beer you love). Cook for 6 minutes.
Less than 10 minutes after sealing the instant pot, your dinner is complete. It’s so quick and leaves you with chicken that’s so tender it’s almost falling apart.
As delicious as the chicken is, this recipe is all about the sauce.
It reminds me of a warming slow-cooked chili, but a little less spicy. The beer adds a really deep, rich flavor. And if using a pumpkin beer, a very subtle undertone of warming pumpkin spice as well.
To bump up the flavors of this sauce, I used a mix of chili powder, smoked paprika, and my secret ingredient, apple butter. I know it may seem weird to use apple butter in a savory chicken recipe, but the sweetness balances out the spices. Go with me on this, promise it takes this braised chicken to a whole new level of GOOD.
And you guys, that’s it. So simple, but yet so delicious, pretty healthy..ish, and an all-around a great dinner for any night of the week from now…until winter’s end. I find this especially fitting for Sunday and or Monday night dinner at home with the fam. And again, simply serve with rice (use brown rice or quinoa if you prefer) and a side of beer bread.
Nothing is more delicious. This is a top HBH recipe…as declared by my family. Enjoy, enjoy!!
If you make this healthier 30 minute beer braised chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Healthier 30 Minute Beer Braised Chicken.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 508 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (can use GF flour too)
- 3 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 2 small yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 (12 ounce) pumpkin beer, or whatever you drink
- 1 can (14 ounce) diced fire-roasted tomatoes with chilies
- 1 tablespoon apple butter or real maple syrup
- 1 red bell peppers, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- cooked white or brown rice, for serving
Instructions
Instant Pot
- 1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a shallow bowl and dredge the chicken through the flour, coating it completely.2. Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken to the instant pot and sear on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes. Add the onions and garlic, cook 3 minutes. Turn the instant pot off.3. To the instant pot, add the beer, tomatoes, apple butter, bell pepper, chili powder, paprika, thyme, cayenne, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.4. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function. Set the Instant pot to sauté and bring to a boil, boil 10-12 minutes or until the liquid reduces slightly. Turn the instant pot off. Remove the thyme and discard. Stir in the parsley and reserved bacon.5. Serve the chicken and sauce over rice.
Slow Cooker
- 1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a shallow bowl and dredge the chicken through the flour, coating it completely.2. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place directly into the slow cooker. Add the onions, garlic, beer, tomatoes, apple butter, bell pepper, chili powder, paprika, thyme, cayenne, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. 3. Remove the lid, cook 30 minutes on high to thicken the sauce. Remove the thyme and discard. Stir in the parsley and reserved bacon.4. Serve the chicken and sauce over rice.
Stove Top
- 1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a shallow bowl and dredge the chicken through the flour, coating it completely.2. Cook the bacon in a large braiser over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Add the onions and garlic, cook 5 minutes. 3. Reduce the heat to low. Add the beer, tomatoes, apple butter, bell pepper, chili powder, paprika, thyme, cayenne, and season with salt and pepper. Partially cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Stir in the parsley and reserved bacon.4. Serve the chicken and sauce over rice.
This post was originally published on October 14, 2019
My family LOVED this. Rarely do I find a recipe that all five of us love, and this was it! I didn’t have pumpkin beer, just used a regular beer. I also didn’t have apple butter. I didn’t substitute it either and we still loved it. I will try to remember to get apple butter and include it next time. We had everything in the house, it was so easy and so good!
Thank you!
Thank you so much Reid! That is so great to hear! xTieghan
I made this on the stove top and it turned out great! No pumpkin bear where I live so I used a malty beer + chicken thighs for more taste and I left it to simmer on Iow for 1 hour. Leftovers taste even better the next day! Love these “all in a pot” recipes.
Thank you so much Anaïs! I am so glad you loved this! xTieghan
My attempt turn out with way too much liquid, was unable to cook it down. Any idea what I may have done wrong?
Hey Meghan,
So sorry you are having trouble. Did you cook in the instant pot? Was there anything different you did? I’ve never had issues with the sauce not cooking down. Any info will be helpful to help me problem solve and figure out what might be happening for you. It’s hard to know without knowing any details. Hope I can help you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, I saw u making this on ig stories & i bought some beer today to make this! My question is: could i double the recipe? I have a large ip so i think capacity wise, im fine. Im a novice with the ip so just wante dto check in & get your thoughts.
Much love and thanks for your yummy recipes,
Lisa
Hi Lisa! You can double the recipe, but use only 1 1/2 for the amounts of liquid (so 1 1/2 for the beer and tomatoes). I fear your sauce could be a little runny if doubled. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Tried this out last night and was pretty disappointed! The dish did not have nearly as much flavor as I expected. It was easy and cheap to prepare, so that’s a plus, but I will not be cooking it again. Onto the next recipe!
Hi Maggie! I am really sorry to hear that! Are there any questions I could help you with? xTieghan
There is no such thing as pumpkin beer where I live.
Would a pilsener be good enough for this recipe? or maybe some dry cider?
Hi Alina! A Pilsner or cider will be great!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Looks amazing a great fall warmer
Thank you so much Shannon! xTieghan
Boneless & skinless, or just boneless chicken breasts?? Cut up chicken breasts or leave them whole(halfs) Onions left in thin slices, or chopped up as well? Drain the tomato can or just all in?
I think I would have done a little better if each step was illustrated, not just the end result. Overall mine seemed quite “soupy” and thin, even after trying to reduce …I added a slurry of cornstarch n to thicken it up a little… I added a wisp odd liquid smoke, and used cilantro n instead of parsley. I think the beer matters too, I ended up using a 2st amendment blood orange IPA, which in the end was a little too bitter….I think an amber or a brown ale would have been better, more malty than hoppy…(next time!) End result flavor was good though, will try again with a couple tweaks (like more bacon ?)
Hi, I use boneless skinless chicken breast. I leave the breast whole. I chop the onions and I do not drain the tomatoes. It’s listed out in the directions.
Hope the second time goes much better for you!! And adding more bacon is always a great idea! xTieghan
Looks amazing! How many chicken breasts were used in this recipe?
Hi Heather, I typically use 4-5 breast. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
What could i use instead of apple butter?
Hey Rachel! You cam use an equal amount of maple syrup. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
This recipe looks so good. I’m trying to figure out how to make it a one pot meal…so I need to add more vegetable(s). What would you suggest?
Hi Shanne! I think that cubed sweet potatoes would be delicious OR try adding an additional bell pepper + sliced mushrooms. Or maybe some shredded kale or spinach? Any of these will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
What kind of bread are you serving this with?
Hi Kena, That is beer bread. The recipe can be found in my cookbook. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Substitutions for apple butter?
Hi Kathleen! You can use an equal amount of maple syrup. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Hi Tieghan,
Could I use chicken thighs in this recipe?
Thank you,
Kristen Berry
Hi Kristen! Yes, chicken thighs will be great! I would cook in high pressure for 8 minutes when using thighs. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
oh yuuum this looks really good!
Thank you Ruth! xTieghan