Description
Succulent chicken meets sweet apricot magic in this mouthwatering Crockpot Apricot Chicken recipe that promises tender, flavor-packed goodness. Minimal effort delivers maximum satisfaction, making this dish perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious comfort on their dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) soy sauce
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Serving Accompaniments:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Create a harmonious sauce by whisking together apricot preserves, soy sauce, and onion soup mix in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer chicken thighs into the crockpot, ensuring they are evenly distributed and completely covered with the prepared apricot sauce.
- Select cooking method based on available time: low setting requires 6-8 hours at 190°F, while high setting needs 3-4 hours at 220°F. Chicken is perfectly cooked when it reaches internal temperature of 165°F and demonstrates tender texture.
- Once cooking completes, carefully remove chicken from crockpot and arrange over fluffy rice, generously spooning remaining sauce across the dish for maximum flavor infusion.
- Elevate presentation by garnishing with fresh chopped parsley, creating a vibrant visual contrast and adding subtle herbaceous notes to the sweet and savory meal.
Notes
- Elevate flavor by browning chicken beforehand, creating a rich golden exterior that locks in moisture and adds depth to the dish.
- Customize sauce sweetness by adjusting apricot preserve quantity, allowing flexibility for different taste preferences.
- Consider using low-sodium soy sauce to control salt content and make the recipe more diet-friendly for those watching sodium intake.
- Transform into gluten-free version by selecting gluten-free onion soup mix and ensuring soy sauce is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg