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Crockpot Chicken with Apples Recipe

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4 from 4 reviews

This Crockpot Chicken with Apples recipe offers a comforting, tender chicken dish infused with the sweetness of fresh apples and the aromatic flavors of thyme, rosemary, and sage. Perfect for a hands-off, slow-cooked meal that results in juicy, flavorful chicken thighs in a mildly sweet and savory apple cider sauce.

  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 2.5 lbs)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 cloves garlic (smashed)

Vegetables & Fruit

  • 8 ounces peeled pearl onions (frozen is fine)
  • 2 Gala apples (or any sweet apples), peeled and sliced (about 2 cups of slices)

Liquids and Sauces

  • 1 cup fresh apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Thickeners

  • 2 tablespoons corn starch

Herbs

  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 sprig fresh sage

Instructions

  1. Season Chicken and Brown Garlic: Season the chicken thighs evenly with kosher salt. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray it with oil. Add the smashed garlic cloves and brown them for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the browned garlic to the slow cooker.
  2. Brown Chicken: In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken thighs and brown them for 1 to 2 minutes on each side to develop color and flavor. Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker.
  3. Add Onions, Apple Cider, and Herbs: Place the peeled pearl onions into the slow cooker around the chicken. Pour 1 cup of fresh apple cider over the chicken and onions. Arrange the fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage sprigs on top. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours until the chicken is fork tender.
  4. Make Cornstarch-Dijon Slurry and Thicken Sauce: When there are about 2 hours left on the cooking time, remove the herb sprigs from the slow cooker. Transfer ¼ cup of the cooking liquid into a small bowl and whisk in the cornstarch until smooth. Mix Dijon mustard into the slurry, then stir this mixture gently back into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
  5. Add Apples and Finish Cooking: Layer the peeled and sliced apples on top of the chicken in the slow cooker. Add additional fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs. Cover and continue cooking until the chicken is very tender, falls apart easily, and the sauce is slightly thickened and golden, about 2 hours more.

Notes

  • Frozen pearl onions can be used as a convenient shortcut; just thaw before adding.
  • Adjust apple varieties based on your sweetness preference; Gala apples offer a nice balance of mild sweetness.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure the Dijon mustard and cornstarch are gluten-free certified.
  • The chicken thighs can be browned the night before to save cooking prep time.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours 55 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/crockpot-chicken-with-apples-recipe/