Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

This flavor packed Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken made with juicy chicken thighs, apricot preserves, Catalina dressing, onion soup mix, and ginger. A deliciously sweet and savory combination.

Recipe and post updated on 9/19/2024

What You’ll Love About Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken:

I love a slow cooker recipe that is simple to throw together with just a few ingredients but has irresistible flavor. This Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken is just that!

This is the perfect recipe to start in the morning before work and have it ready to go when you get home. The wonderful scent will hit you the second you walk through the door.

What makes this apricot chicken extra special is the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. It took me years to appreciate the flavor and tenderness of thigh meat. It truly makes all the difference, especially in this recipe.

I also take the extra step by pan searing the thighs before adding them to the slow cooker. This gives the skin some extra crispiness and flavor, which makes the dish that much better.

If you’re looking for a complete slow cooker meal that includes your protein, starch, and veggie, you will love my Slow Cooker Chicken Meal.

Simple Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs- I use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor.
• Seasonings- Ground ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
• Olive oil- For searing the chicken
• Apricot preserves- Use your favorite store-brand or even homemade.
• Catalina dressing- Even though Catalina dressing is sweet it also gives the sauce a tangy flavor.
• Onion soup mix- This offers a wonderful savory flavor. Use a store packet or homemade mix.
• Fresh chives- This is optional but it makes it look pretty adds a mild onion flavor.

Substitutions:

What Is The Best Thing To Serve With Apricot Chicken?

I find that good ol’ plain white or brown rice is the best pairing with apricot chicken. There is plenty of sauce and it’s wonderful spooned over the rice for it to soak in and be super tasty. If you prefer potatoes, try my Light and Fluffy Mashed Potatoes; a delicious foundation for the chicken and sauce.

This chicken is also great with steamed broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, and green beans.

How To Make Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken:

See full instructions in recipe card below

Step One. Heat a large skillet to medium high heat and add olive oil. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear chicken until golden brown on both sides then transfer to the slow cooker.

Step Two. In a small bowl combine apricot preserves, dressing, onion soup mix, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

Step Three. Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 5-6.

Step Four. Once chicken is cooked transfer to a plate and spoon a little of the apricot sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped chives and serve with your favorite side and the remaining sauce.

Recipe Tip:

Common Questions:

Other Slow Cooker Recipes You Might Like:

• Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
• Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole
• Slow Cooker Beef Stew
• Island Slow Cooker Chicken

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

This flavor packed Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken made with juicy chicken thighs, apricot preserves, Catalina dressing, onion soup mix, and ginger. A deliciously sweet and savory combination.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 756kcal

Equipment

• 1 6 Qt Slow Cooker
• 1 large skillet

Ingredients

• 5-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs trim excess fat around the edges
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup apricot preserves
• 1 cup Catalina dressing
• 1 packet of onion soup mix such as Lipton
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• fresh chopped chives, for garnish or use sliced green onions

Instructions

• Heat a large skillet to medium high heat and add olive oil. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear chicken until golden brown on both sides, then place skin side up in the slow cooker.
• In a small bowl combine apricot preserves, dressing, onion soup mix, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour mixture over chicken. Place the lid on and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 5-6.
• When the chicken is cooked, transfer to a plate and spoon a little more sauce over the top and garnish with chives. Serve the extra sauce with rice, potatoes, or choice of side. See recipe tip in the notes for extra crispy chicken skin.

Notes

Recipe Tip:

 

• For extra crispy chicken- If you want the skin of your chicken to be extra crispy, place the cooked chicken on a sheet pan lined with foil. Spoon a little sauce over the top of each piece, then place under the broiler set to high until desired crispiness. Keep an eye on it as it will burn quickly.

 

Substitutions:

 

• Chicken- If don’t like chicken thighs or maybe don’t want to deal with the bone-in, skin-on, use boneless, skinless thighs. Chicken breasts will also work just be careful not to overcook them.
• Preserves or jam- If you can’t find apricot preserves, peach preserves or mango jam will also work great.
• Dressing- French dressing is going to be the next best thing to Catalina. Russian dressing will also work but it has spicier taste.

 

Common Questions:

 

How do I keep my chicken from falling apart in the slow cooker?

Using chicken thighs, especially bone-in, skin-on will help keep the meat in one whole piece. Make sure you don’t overcook the meat as this can also cause it to fall apart.

Is my sauce supposed to be thin?

The sauce should be the consistency of a glaze, especially when cooked low and slow. Not quite as thin as water but can easily be spooned over the rice and chicken.

Is it better to cook apricot chicken on low or on high?

Either way it will be delicious, however, I find the lower heat setting and the longer cooking time allows the chicken to absorb the flavors better.

How do I get the sauce to be sticky on the chicken?

The sauce on the top of the chicken should be somewhat sticky after it cooks in the slow cooker. For the ultimate stickiness, see recipe tip in this blog post or in the recipe notes.

Can I freeze apricot chicken?

I have not tested this but other similar recipes say, yes! Make sure chicken and sauce is completely cooled before placing in a freezer safe container. Freeze the sauce and chicken separately up to 3 months.

How long does apricot chicken last?

Place in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 4 days. This chicken makes awesome leftovers.

 

Nutritional facts do not include sides.

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 756kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 955mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

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