Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken – Easy & Flavorful Recipe

Apricot recipes have a special way of blending sweet and savory into one irresistible bite, and this slow cooker apricot chicken is no exception. If you’re searching for a weeknight meal that practically cooks itself while delivering rich flavor, this dish will quickly earn a spot in your dinner rotation. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, the chicken soaks up a tangy-sweet apricot sauce infused with Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs. It’s comforting, nutritious, and kid-approved—all without hovering over a stove. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just want to come home to something homemade, this is one of those apricot recipes that does it all.

Ingredients

this recipe

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious slow cooker apricot chicken:

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup dried apricots, halved

Optional substitutions:

• Use chicken breasts instead of thighs (adjust cook time).
• Replace dried apricots with dried peaches or golden raisins.
• Swap Dijon for whole grain mustard or yellow mustard.
• Sub orange juice/zest in place of lemon for a citrus twist.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make a flavorful apricot chicken dinner with minimal effort:

1. Sear the Chicken
   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear them for 5–6 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown. This step boosts the flavor.
2. Make the Sauce
   In your slow cooker, combine chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and thyme. Whisk together until smooth and aromatic.
3. Assemble Everything
   Add sliced onions and dried apricots to the sauce in the slow cooker. Nestle the seared chicken thighs on top, ensuring they’re partly submerged in the sauce.
4. Slow Cook It
   Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3–4 hours. The chicken should be tender and infused with the apricot-mustard flavors.
5. Serve and Enjoy
   Spoon the chicken and sauce over brown rice, couscous, or quinoa. Don’t forget to drizzle extra sauce on top—it’s too good to waste!

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
Cook Time: 3–6 hours (depending on slow cooker setting)
Total Time: 3 hr 15 min to 6 hr 15 min
Servings: 4 generous portions
Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Nutrition Facts (Estimated for entire recipe)

• Calories: 1100–1300
• Protein: 120–140g
• Fat: 30–35g
• Carbohydrates: 80–90g
• Sugar: Naturally occurring from dried apricots
• Sodium: Depends on broth and mustard used

Note: These values will vary based on exact brands and substitutions.

Tips & Variations

🔄 Smart Substitutions

• No dried apricots? Try golden raisins, dried peaches, or even figs. For a summer version, add fresh apricots during the last hour of cooking.
• Don’t love Dijon? Swap in whole grain or even yellow mustard if needed.
• Herb flexibility: Dried oregano or herbs de Provence make great alternatives to thyme.

🍳 Pro Cooking Tips

• Sear for flavor: Browning the chicken before slow cooking makes a big difference—don’t skip it!
• Less is more with liquid: The chicken releases plenty of juices, so don’t overdo the broth or your sauce may get watery.
• For thicker sauce: Remove the lid during the last 20 minutes, or transfer sauce to a pan and simmer to reduce.

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

This sweet and savory apricot chicken cooks low and slow for a tender, flavor-packed dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or family meals, it features juicy chicken thighs, tangy apricot glaze, and pantry-friendly ingredients.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 325

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup onion thinly sliced
• 1 cup dried apricots halved

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Slow cooker
• Cutting board and knife
• Mixing whisk or spoon

Method

 

1. Sear the Chicken
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and sear both sides until golden (about 5–6 minutes).
3. Mix the Sauce
4. In your slow cooker, whisk together broth, lemon zest and juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and thyme.
5. Assemble the Ingredients
6. Add onions and apricots to the slow cooker. Place seared chicken thighs on top, nestling them into the sauce.
7. Cook Low and Slow
8. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender and flavorful.
9. Serve and Enjoy
10. Plate over brown rice, couscous, or quinoa. Spoon extra sauce over the top.

Notes

Swap dried apricots with golden raisins or dried peaches.

Use whole grain mustard for added texture.

For thicker sauce: remove lid last 20 mins or reduce liquid separately.

Chicken breasts can be substituted but reduce cook time.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes! Reduce the cooking time slightly (by 30–60 minutes), as breasts dry out more quickly than thighs.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prep everything the night before and store it in the fridge until morning. Just dump and go.

How should I store leftovers?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of broth if needed.

What should I serve with it?
Brown rice, couscous, or quinoa soak up the sauce beautifully. Pair with steamed broccoli or green beans for a complete meal.

Conclusion

Whether you’re craving something cozy or need a foolproof weeknight dinner, this slow cooker apricot chicken delivers every time. With just a handful of pantry staples and the rich, sweet tang of dried apricots, this dish proves that apricot recipes can be both elegant and effortless. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you enjoy a hands-free day—and come dinnertime, all you have to do is serve and savor.