Apricot Chicken Slow Cooker

Apricot chicken, particularly when made in a slow cooker, is a fantastic example of a dish that delivers maximum flavour with minimal effort. This sweet, tangy, and savoury chicken stew is a beloved comfort food, especially popular in places like Australia, where it’s often a family favourite. The slow cooker transforms humble chicken pieces into incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone morsels bathed in a rich, glossy sauce, making it perfect for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend meal.

The magic of apricot chicken lies in its distinctive sauce, which typically combines the sweetness and slight tartness of apricot nectar or dried apricots with the savoury depth of French onion soup mix, and often a tang from Worcestershire sauce or vinegar. The slow cooker brings all these flavours together beautifully, allowing them to meld and deepen over several hours, resulting in a complex and satisfying dish.

Key Components of Apricot Chicken (Slow Cooker Version):

1. Chicken:
   • Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: These are ideal for slow cooking as they remain incredibly moist and tender. The bones and skin also contribute to a richer sauce.
   • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: A good alternative for quicker prep and easier eating, though they might not yield as rich a sauce.
   • Chicken Breast: Can be used, but is more prone to drying out with long cooking. If using, consider adding them for the last hour or two of cooking.
2. The Apricot Element:
   • Apricot Nectar: This is the most common and easiest way to incorporate the apricot flavour. It forms a significant part of the sauce base.
   • Dried Apricots: Chopped dried apricots can be added for a more intense apricot flavour and a chewy texture. They also naturally thicken the sauce as they break down.
3. Savoury Enhancers:
   • French Onion Soup Mix (Packet): This is a classic and almost non-negotiable ingredient in many apricot chicken recipes. It provides a huge punch of savoury, umami flavour, seasoning, and a hint of oniony sweetness.
   • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a fermented, savoury depth and a touch of tang.
   • Soy Sauce (Optional): Can further enhance the umami.
   • Garlic & Onion: While the soup mix has onion flavour, fresh garlic and sometimes a fresh onion can be added for more aromatic depth.
4. Thickening & Balance:
   • Cornstarch Slurry (Optional): Sometimes needed at the end if the sauce isn’t thick enough.
   • Vinegar (Optional): A splash of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can balance the sweetness of the apricots, especially if you’re not using a strong savoury element.

Classic Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Recipe

This recipe focuses on simplicity and maximum flavour, perfect for a busy day.

Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 4-6 hours on High, 6-8 hours on Low

Ingredients:

• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or drumsticks (about 1.2 – 1.5 kg / 2.5 – 3.3 lbs total)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning chicken)
• 1 packet (approx. 30g) French Onion Soup Mix
• 1 cup (250ml) apricot nectar
• ½ cup (125ml) chicken broth (or water)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup dried apricots, chopped (optional, for extra apricot flavour and texture)
• 1 small onion, chopped (optional, for extra fresh onion flavour)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

For Serving:

• Steamed rice or mashed potatoes
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Equipment:

• Large skillet (if browning chicken)
• 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker

Instructions:

1. Prepare Chicken (Optional Browning):
   • Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
   • Optional Browning Step: For deeper flavour and better colour, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces in batches (skin-side down first) for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown. This step is not strictly necessary for the slow cooker but greatly enhances the final dish.
   • Place the browned (or unbrowned) chicken pieces into the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the French Onion Soup Mix, apricot nectar, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce until the soup mix powder is dissolved.
   • If using, stir in the chopped dried apricots, chopped fresh onion, and minced garlic into the sauce mixture.
3. Combine in Slow Cooker:
   • Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged in the liquid.
4. Slow Cook:
   • Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
   • Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is incredibly tender and easily falls off the bone. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the size of your chicken pieces.
5. Finish and Serve:
   • Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove the chicken pieces from the slow cooker (they will be very delicate). You can remove and discard the skin and bones if desired.
   • If the sauce is too thin for your liking, you can thicken it. You have a few options:
     • Stovetop Reduction: Pour the sauce from the slow cooker into a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens to your desired consistency.
     • Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the simmering sauce (either in the slow cooker on high or in a saucepan). Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
   • Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary.
   • Return the chicken pieces to the sauce.
   • Serve the apricot chicken hot, spooned generously over steamed white rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Tips for Success:

• Don’t Skimp on the French Onion Soup Mix: This ingredient is key to the authentic apricot chicken flavour.
• Dried Apricots: If you like a stronger apricot flavour and a thicker sauce, don’t skip the chopped dried apricots. They also add a nice textural element.
• Less Liquid for Richer Sauce: Slow cookers don’t lose much liquid to evaporation, so resist the urge to add too much. The recipe balances the liquid for a good sauce consistency.
• Leftovers: Apricot chicken makes excellent leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavours continue to meld. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Enjoy this incredibly easy and wonderfully flavourful slow cooker apricot chicken! It’s a dish that consistently receives rave reviews for its comforting taste and simplicity.