CHEAP CROCKPOT RECIPES: Budget slow-cooker recipes

Slow cooker apricot chicken

This Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Tender chicken slowly simmers in a glossy apricot sauce with garlic, ginger, and warm spices, creating a comforting dish that tastes like it took hours of effort—while the slow cooker does all the work. Ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or effortless entertaining.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet-savory flavor everyone loves
Dump-and-go slow cooker simplicity
Family-friendly and meal-prep approved
Works with chicken thighs or breasts
Delicious over rice, couscous, or noodles

Ingredients

2 ½ lb (1.1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
¾ cup apricot preserves
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup soy sauce (or low-sodium)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste (use sparingly due to soy sauce)

Optional Garnishes

Sliced green onions
Toasted sesame seeds
Fresh parsley or cilantro

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together apricot preserves, chicken broth, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, vinegar, olive oil, paprika, and black pepper.
Add to Slow Cooker
Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour sauce evenly over the top.
Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
Finish the Dish
Taste and adjust seasoning. For a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes or shred the chicken and stir it back into the sauce.
Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Pro Tips for Best Results

Chicken thighs stay juicier, but breasts work well if not overcooked
For deeper flavor, sear chicken briefly before slow cooking
Add sliced onions or bell peppers for extra texture
Prefer a thicker glaze? Stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last 20 minutes

Serving Suggestions

Serve Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken with:

Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
Fluffy couscous or quinoa
Egg noodles
Roasted broccoli, green beans, or snap peas

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Up to 4 days
Freeze: Up to 3 months
Reheat: Gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through

Nutrition Highlights (Approximate per serving)

Calories: 390
Protein: 34g
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Sugar: 22g

OTHER RECIPES

INGREDIENTS

8 Lilydale Free Range Chicken Thigh, excess fat trimmed
40g pkt French onion soup mix
410g can apricot halves, drained
405ml can apricot nectar
1 tablespoon Coles Cornflour
Steamed rice, to serve
Steamed broccolini, to serve
Fresh thyme sprigs, to serve (optional)

METHOD

Step 1

Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken, skin-side down, and cook for 3 minutes or until golden. Turn and cook for a further 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Step 2

Sprinkle the soup mix over the chicken. Add the apricot halves and pour over the apricot nectar. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours.

Step 3

Use tongs to transfer the chicken to a warm oven tray and cover with foil to keep warm (alternatively, pop the tray into a preheated 180C/160 fan forced oven, without the foil, for 5-10 minutes). Increase the slow cooker heat to High. Stir the cornflour with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. Add to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and heat for 5 minutes. Stir again.

Step 4

Serve the chicken and apricots with rice and broccolini, and sprinkled with thyme leaves, if desired. Cool. Enjoy the Slow cooker apricot chicken recipes !!!

Slow cooker apricot chicken Video :