There’s something about cooking with apples in the fall that makes the whole house feel a little cozier. I love recipes that come together with just a few minutes of prep, and this Slow Cooker Apple Cider Glazed Chicken is one I find myself coming back to every year.
The chicken turns out tender, the apples become soft and flavorful, and the apple cider glaze brings everything together with the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
If you’re looking for an easy dinner that’s full of comforting fall flavors, this recipe is a great one to add to your meal plan. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables for a meal that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 Honeycrisp apples sliced
- 1½ cups apple cider
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
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How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Cider Glazed Chicken
1. Season the chicken thighs with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for 3–4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with the apple slices.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, and cinnamon. Pour the apple cider mixture around the chicken.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Carefully transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
6. In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker.
7. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
8. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the glaze over the chicken. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
9. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Glazed Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 Honeycrisp apples sliced
- 1½ cups apple cider
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for 3–4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Top with the apple slices.
- In a bowl, whisk together the apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, and cinnamon.
- Pour the apple cider mixture around the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Carefully transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Stir the slurry into the slow cooker.
- Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the glaze over the chicken.
- Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Honeycrisp or Gala apples hold their shape best during cooking.
- Searing the chicken creates deeper flavor and better color.
- For an even darker finish, place the chicken under the broiler for 2–3 minutes before serving.
- The glaze should coat the back of a spoon when fully thickened.
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