Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken recipe is a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, made easy with minimal prep. Tender chicken thighs simmer in a tangy apricot sauce, then finish under the broiler for a caramelized touch. It’s a comforting dish that requires little hands-on time but delivers big on taste.

Ingredients

• 5 chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 packet dry onion soup mix
• 1 cup French dressing
• 1 cup apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat a cast iron skillet and brown the chicken skin side down for 3-5 minutes, then flip and brown the other side. Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker, placing them skin side up.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the dry onion soup mix, French dressing, apricot preserves, and chopped thyme. Pour half of this sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, and refrigerate the remaining sauce for later.
3. Step 3: Cook the chicken on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until tender and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place on a baking sheet. Brush with the reserved sauce, then broil on high in your oven for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce to the apricot mixture before cooking.
• Use boneless chicken thighs for quicker cooking, but reduce the time accordingly.
• Fresh thyme can be substituted with dried thyme—use about 1 teaspoon dried if fresh is unavailable.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. The sauce may thicken when cooled; add a splash of water if needed when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but they may cook faster and can dry out if overcooked. Keep an eye on the cooking time and check for doneness.

Is it necessary to brown the chicken before slow cooking?

Browning the chicken adds extra flavor and a nice texture to the skin, but you can skip this step if short on time. The dish will still taste delicious but may have less depth of flavor.

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 113 reviews

• Author: Simon
• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
• Yield: 5 servings 1x

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Description

This Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken thighs cooked low and slow with a tangy apricot glaze. The combination of apricot preserves, onion soup mix, and French dressing creates a sweet and savory sauce that caramelizes beautifully under the broiler, making for an effortless yet impressive meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 5 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Sauce

• 1 packet dry onion soup mix
• 1 cup French dressing
• 1 cup apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

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Instructions

1. Season and Brown Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken, skin side down first, for 3-5 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Transfer browned chicken to the slow cooker, placing skin side up.
2. Prepare Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry onion soup mix, French dressing, apricot preserves, and chopped fresh thyme until well combined. Pour half of this sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, reserving the other half for later use. Refrigerate the reserved sauce.
3. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
4. Bake to Caramelize: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a baking sheet. Spoon the reserved sauce evenly over the chicken pieces. Place under the oven broiler on high for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized.
5. Serve: Serve the chicken hot with the caramelized apricot glaze for a delightful sweet and savory flavor.

Notes

• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for best flavor and moisture.
• Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds depth of flavor and better texture.
• Keep an eye when broiling as the sauce can burn quickly.
• Leftover sauce can be refrigerated up to 3 days and used as a glaze for reheating.
• Serve with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables to complete the meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: slow cooker apricot chicken, apricot chicken thighs, slow cooker chicken recipe, apricot glaze chicken, easy slow cooker dinner