Discover the ultimate weeknight meal solution with this delectable **Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken** recipe! Imagine tender chicken, slow-cooked to perfection in a luscious, sticky-sweet, and subtly spicy apricot sauce. This dish promises to be a family favorite, delivering gourmet flavors with minimal effort. It’s perfectly versatile, whether served over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or alongside a medley of roasted vegetables. You can even toss in some broccoli directly into the crockpot for a complete, nutritious meal. Choose to shred the chicken for an easier-to-eat texture or keep it in whole pieces – the choice is yours for this unforgettable dinner!
Embrace Effortless Weeknight Dinners
In the whirlwind of busy weeknights, the slow cooker emerges as a culinary hero, transforming minimal effort into maximum flavor. Our collection of simple slow cooker recipes is designed to simplify your life without compromising on taste. While we often turn to robust beef recipes for our crockpot, chicken remains an undeniable favorite. And when it comes to chicken, this **Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken** recipe stands in a league of its own, delivering an unbeatable blend of convenience and deliciousness.
This dish is a masterclass in balance: sticky and sweet, with just a hint of spice to keep things interesting. It yields an abundance of rich, flavorful sauce, ideal for spooning generously over your chosen side, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful. Prepare for this to become a staple in your dinner rotation – it’s destined to be a family favorite!
If you’re as passionate about chicken dinners as we are, you’ll love exploring these other cherished chicken dinner recipes: Dive into the simplicity of One Pan Chicken and Rice, savor the zesty flavors of Crockpot Orange Chicken, enjoy the fresh taste of Mediterranean Grilled Chicken, or indulge in the crispy goodness of this Parmesan Crusted Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner!
Why You’ll Absolutely Adore This Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Recipe
This apricot chicken recipe embodies the essence of effortless cooking, making it one of those coveted “dump and walk away” meals that deliver incredible results with minimal hands-on time. It’s the perfect solution for busy households seeking a delicious, home-cooked meal without the usual kitchen chaos.
We’ve prepared this delightful dinner numerous times recently, and each time it impresses with its simplicity and flavor. For an even more streamlined meal, I often toss frozen broccoli directly into the crockpot during the final cooking stage. Served over a bed of fluffy rice, it transforms into a complete and wonderfully simple dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
This Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken offers a multitude of benefits:
- Incredibly Easy to Prepare: Boasting minimal prep time and maximum convenience, this recipe is designed for busy individuals who crave flavorful meals without complicated steps. It’s truly a “set it and forget it” kind of dish.
- Perfect for Freezer Meal Prep: Planning ahead is a breeze! This recipe can be easily prepped as a freezer meal, allowing you to have a ready-to-cook dinner waiting in your freezer for those extra hectic days. Simply thaw and cook when ready.
- Versatile Serving Options: Whether you prefer to shred the tender chicken for sandwiches, wraps, or tacos, or serve it in succulent whole pieces alongside your favorite sides, this recipe adapts to your culinary desires.
- Customizable Spice Level: Tailor the heat to your preference! The recipe provides a gentle kick, but you can easily adjust the amount of red chili flakes to make it milder or bolder, catering to every palate at your table.
- Effortless Complete Meal: Achieve a full, balanced meal with remarkable ease. By simply tossing in some frozen vegetables like broccoli or peas and serving with quick-cooking minute rice, you can have a wholesome dinner on the table in no time.
Navigating dinner plans can be challenging when life gets hectic. The ability to prepare a recipe earlier in the day and have it perfectly cooked and ready to serve at dinner time is an absolute game-changer, bringing peace and deliciousness to your evenings!
Detailed Ingredient Breakdown for Perfect Apricot Chicken
Crafting the perfect Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what makes this dish so special and how to make the best choices for your meal:
- I consistently opt for **boneless, skinless chicken thighs** when preparing this apricot chicken. Chicken thighs are inherently more forgiving than chicken breasts, retaining moisture and tenderness even with longer cooking times, which is ideal for slow cooking. They offer a richer flavor profile and a wonderfully succulent texture. However, if chicken breast is your preference, it can certainly be used; just be mindful that it can dry out more easily, so keeping an eye on the cooking time is recommended. For bone-in chicken thighs, a slightly longer cook time will be necessary, and searing them briefly before slow cooking can enhance their flavor and contribute to a more beautiful finish.
- **Apricot preserves** are the star of the show, infusing this recipe with its signature sweet and fruity flavor. The preserves not only provide a vibrant apricot taste but also contribute to the sauce’s desirable sticky consistency. Should apricot preserves be unavailable, you can substitute with orange marmalade for a citrusy twist or peach jam for a similar stone fruit sweetness. It’s worth noting that this is a naturally sweet recipe, so if you’re conscious of sugar content, consider looking for a lower-sugar apricot jam alternative to the regular variety, allowing you to enjoy the flavor with less added sweetness.
- **Sweet Chili Sauce:** This ingredient adds a fantastic balance of sweetness, tanginess, and a mild, pleasant heat. It’s crucial for achieving the dynamic flavor profile of the sauce.
- **Low Sodium Soy Sauce:** Soy sauce provides essential umami depth and savory notes, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the apricot. Using a low-sodium version allows for better control over the overall saltiness of the dish, and a gluten-free tamari can be used for those with gluten sensitivities.
- **Honey:** A touch of honey enhances the natural sweetness of the preserves and helps to create that appealing sticky glaze on the chicken as it cooks.
- **Fresh Garlic Cloves:** Minced garlic is a foundational aromatic, providing a pungent, savory base that layers beautifully with the fruit and spice.
- **Chopped Onion:** Onions caramelize slowly in the crockpot, adding a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the sauce, making it richer and more complex.
- **Paprika, Sea Salt, and Black Pepper:** These basic seasonings elevate the chicken’s natural flavor and provide a warm, earthy undertone. Don’t be shy with seasoning the chicken directly!
- **Crushed Red Pepper Flakes:** For that delightful “kick,” red chili flakes are key. They introduce a customizable level of heat, allowing you to adjust the spice to your family’s preference.
- **Cornstarch and Cold Water (Slurry):** This simple mixture is vital for thickening the sauce at the end of the cooking process, transforming it into a luxurious, clingy glaze that perfectly coats the chicken and your chosen sides.
Essential Equipment for Your Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
To whip up this incredibly easy and delicious Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken, you won’t need a pantry full of specialized gadgets. Just a few basic kitchen tools will suffice:
- Slow Cooker (Crockpot): The star of this recipe! A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for the quantity of chicken specified, providing ample space for even cooking and sauce distribution.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurately portioning out your ingredients, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors in your sauce.
- Whisk: Used to combine the cornstarch and cold water into a smooth slurry, crucial for thickening the sauce at the end.
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping the onion and mincing the garlic efficiently.
- Internal Meat Thermometer: While not strictly necessary for every step, a reliable meat thermometer is highly recommended to ensure your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), guaranteeing food safety.
Creative Ways to Customize Your Apricot Chicken
One of the beauties of this slow cooker apricot chicken recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you have on hand:
- Boost Your Veggies: This dish is a fantastic canvas for adding more vegetables. You can dice up colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange) and add them to the crockpot at the very beginning with the chicken and sauce. For softer vegetables like frozen broccoli florets, peas, or sliced zucchini, stir them into the thickened sauce during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. This ensures they cook through without becoming mushy. Root vegetables like carrots or potatoes can be added from the start, cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Think Beyond Rice for Serving: While serving this sticky chicken over rice is a classic and highly recommended option, your serving possibilities are truly endless!
- Sandwiches & Wraps: Shred the cooked chicken and pile it onto slider buns or soft tortillas for a quick and flavorful meal.
- Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter, low-carb option, serve the shredded chicken in crisp lettuce cups, garnished with extra green onions and sesame seeds.
- Salads: Slice or shred the chicken and add it warm or chilled to a vibrant green salad, perhaps with some crunchy nuts and a light vinaigrette.
- Pasta & Noodles: Toss the shredded chicken and sauce with cooked egg noodles or ramen for a delightful Asian-inspired dish.
- Creamy Sides: It pairs wonderfully with creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, sweet potato mash, or even polenta.
- Quinoa or Couscous: For a nutritious grain alternative to rice.
- Utilize Chicken Breast: As highlighted, chicken thighs yield particularly juicy results in the slow cooker. However, if boneless, skinless chicken breasts are what you have, they can certainly be used. The cooking time will generally remain similar, but because chicken breasts can dry out more easily, it’s wise to monitor them closely, especially if your pieces are on the smaller side. Ensuring they reach 165°F (74°C) internal temperature and then removing them promptly will keep them tender.
- Infuse Fresh Ginger: For an additional layer of vibrant, aromatic flavor, consider adding 1-2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger to the sauce mixture at the beginning of cooking. It complements the sweet and savory notes beautifully.
- Adjust the Heat: Love spice? Increase the red chili flakes to 1 teaspoon or more. Prefer a milder dish? Reduce them to a quarter teaspoon or omit entirely. A drizzle of sriracha at serving time also adds a fresh, fiery kick!
- Alternative Proteins: This delicious apricot sauce isn’t just for chicken! Consider trying it with pork tenderloin or boneless pork chops for a different twist.
Easy Step-By-Step Guide to Making Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Get ready to create a mouthwatering meal with these straightforward steps. The images below guide you through each stage, making it simple for even novice cooks to achieve a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken. Arrange your boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker. Season them generously with salt, pepper, and paprika, ensuring each piece is well coated to build a foundational flavor.
Step 2: Add the Flavorful Sauce Ingredients. Into the crockpot, add the apricot preserves, sweet chili sauce, low sodium soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and the chopped onion. These ingredients will meld together to form the rich, sticky sauce.
Step 3: Combine and Coat. Gently stir the sauce mixture over the chicken thighs. Ensure that all the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the delicious sauce, maximizing flavor infusion during the slow cooking process.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection. Cover the crockpot securely with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 4-5 hours, or on the HIGH setting for approximately 2-3 hours. The chicken is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is wonderfully tender.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce. Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside. Increase the slow cooker’s heat setting to HIGH. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry. Slowly pour this slurry into the simmering sauce in the crockpot, stirring continuously to incorporate it fully.
Step 6: Finish and Serve. Allow the sauce to heat on HIGH for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has visibly thickened to your desired consistency. Once thickened, return the cooked chicken back into the rich sauce, spooning the sauce generously over the chicken pieces to coat them. You can either shred or pull the chicken into smaller pieces for easy serving, or keep them whole. Serve this irresistible apricot chicken over a bed of fluffy rice or your preferred side, garnished with freshly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. For an extra kick, a drizzle of sriracha is highly recommended!
Pro Tips for Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Success
- Choose Evenly Sized Chicken Thighs: For the most consistent cooking results, try to select chicken thighs that are similar in thickness and size. This ensures that all pieces cook at roughly the same rate, preventing some from drying out while others finish cooking. Uniformity in size is key to perfectly tender chicken every time.
- Master the Art of Freezer Meal Prep: This recipe is a dream for meal preppers! To create a freezer meal, first, whisk together all the sauce ingredients (apricot preserves, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and chopped onion), but omit the cornstarch and water. Place the chicken thighs and the sliced onion into a large, freezer-safe plastic bag. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring it’s well coated. Seal the bag airtight, removing as much air as possible, then gently massage the bag to distribute the sauce evenly around the chicken and onions. Freeze flat for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw the bag completely in the refrigerator overnight before transferring its contents to the slow cooker and following the original cooking instructions. The cornstarch slurry should be added as per Step 5.
- Resist the Urge to Peek: Every time you lift the lid of your slow cooker, a significant amount of heat escapes, and the internal temperature drops. This can extend the overall cooking time by as much as 20-30 minutes per peek. For optimal tenderness and efficient cooking, keep the lid on tightly until the recommended cooking time is nearly complete.
- Ensure Food Safety with a Thermometer: While the chicken will appear done and tender, the safest way to confirm doneness is by using an internal meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken (avoiding bone if present). The chicken is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Optional Searing for Extra Flavor: For an extra layer of depth and a slightly crispy skin (if using bone-in, skin-on thighs, or simply for added texture on boneless), quickly sear the chicken thighs in a hot pan with a little oil before adding them to the slow cooker. This step creates a beautiful browned crust and locks in even more flavor, though it’s not strictly necessary for a delicious meal.
Storage & Reheating Guidelines for Leftovers
Proper storage is key to enjoying your Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken for days to come. Here’s how to handle your delicious leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover chicken and its luscious sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3-4 days. Ensure it cools completely before transferring it to the container to prevent condensation and bacterial growth.
- Freezing for Longer Freshness: This dish freezes beautifully! Once the chicken and sauce have cooled completely, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze in individual portion sizes for easy thawing and reheating.
- Reheating Instructions:
- From Refrigerator: Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, or in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring frequently, until hot. You might need to add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- From Freezer: Thaw frozen apricot chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, reheat using the same methods as refrigerated leftovers. If reheating directly from frozen, use a covered saucepan on low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave on a lower power setting, adding a small amount of liquid to prevent drying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We’ve gathered some common questions about making Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken to help you troubleshoot and get the best results:
- Can I use frozen chicken in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can, but there are a few considerations. For food safety, it’s generally recommended to thaw chicken completely before adding it to a slow cooker, especially if it’s mixed with other cold ingredients. Cooking from frozen can significantly increase the cooking time and may result in a less even cook. If you do use frozen chicken, add an additional 1-2 hours to the cooking time on high or 2-4 hours on low, and always ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature. - How can I adjust the spice level?
The recipe provides a moderate amount of red chili flakes for a subtle kick. If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red chili flakes to 1 teaspoon or more. For a milder flavor, reduce the flakes to ¼ teaspoon or omit them entirely. You can also add a swirl of sriracha directly to your plate for an individualized heat boost. - What if my sauce is too thin or too thick?
If your sauce is too thin after adding the cornstarch slurry and cooking for 10-15 minutes, you can create another small slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water, slowly whisking it into the hot sauce and cooking for a few more minutes until thickened. If it’s too thick, simply thin it out with a splash of chicken broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. - Is this recipe gluten-free?
The recipe can easily be made gluten-free. Ensure you use a certified gluten-free low sodium soy sauce (often labeled as Tamari) and double-check that your sweet chili sauce and apricot preserves do not contain any hidden gluten-containing ingredients. - Can I add other fruits instead of apricot?
Absolutely! While apricot preserves are traditional for this recipe, you can experiment with other fruit preserves like peach, orange marmalade, or even pineapple preserves for a different fruity twist. The sweet and savory balance will still be delicious.
Explore More Delicious Crockpot Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and flavor of slow cooker meals, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of convenient and delicious crockpot recipes waiting to be discovered. Expand your repertoire with these other fantastic options that promise to simplify your meal prep and satisfy your cravings.
Slow Cooker
Crockpot Orange Chicken
Soups & Chilis
Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Shredded Beef
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Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Lorie Yarro
This sticky sweet Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken is a super simple weeknight meal that takes just a few minutes to prep. The sauce is sweet and fruity with a slightly spicy kick. This is perfect served over rice and you can add broccoli right into the crockpot to get some veggies in the meal as well. Shred the chicken or eat in whole pieces, you choose! You will love this delicious chicken dinner!
5 minutes
4 hours 10 minutes
4 hours 15 minutes
5
Ingredients
- 2 – 2 ½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, approx. 8-12 thighs, depending on size
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp honey
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp cold water
- sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, optional for serving
Instructions
-
Arrange chicken thighs at the bottom of crockpot. Season generously with salt, pepper and paprika.
-
Add the apricot preserves, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, crushed red pepper and the onion. Stir this mixture over top of the chicken thighs, covering them evenly.
-
Cover the crockpot and heat at low for 4-5 hours, or on high for about 2-3 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
-
Once chicken is cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shift the heat to high. Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth and slowly pour the slurry mixture into the crockpot, stirring to combine.
-
Heat on high for about 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Once thickened, add the chicken back in the sauce, spooning it over top to cover the chicken. You are welcome to shred or pull the chicken into smaller pieces if preferred or serve whole over rice with sauce. Serve garnished with sliced green onion and sesame seeds over top.
Notes
Try to select chicken thighs of even thickness and size. For best results, if you can get chicken that is very similar in size, it will all cook at about the same rate.
This can be made as a freezer meal. Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients, omitting the cornstarch and water. Add the chicken and sliced onion to a freezer safe plastic bag and pour the sauce mixture over top. Allow the sauce to coat the chicken. Seal the bag airtight and then allow the sauce to evenly coat chicken and onions. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before cooking in crockpot according to original instructions.
Storage: Store leftover chicken in sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. To freeze, allow the chicken to cool completely and then transfer to container and freeze for up to 3 months.
*Nutrition information per serving also includes about 1/4 cup of the sauce as well, not just the chicken thighs alone.
Nutrition
Calories: 412kcal
,
Carbohydrates: 50g
,
Protein: 36g
,
Fat: 8g
,
Saturated Fat: 2g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
,
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
,
Trans Fat: 0.03g
,
Cholesterol: 172mg
,
Sodium: 776mg
,
Potassium: 561mg
,
Fiber: 1g
,
Sugar: 35g
,
Vitamin A: 300IU
,
Vitamin C: 7mg
,
Calcium: 40mg
,
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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