Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Closeup of this recipe for the feature image.

Slow cooker apricot chicken is an easy recipe with just 4 ingredients! Bone-in chicken thighs simmer in a sweet, tangy sauce until they are fall off the bone tender.

Course Main Dish - Chicken

Cuisine American - Vintage

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 5

Servings

Calories 758kcal

Author Marye Audet-White

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 ½ cups apricot preserves
1 cup Russian dressing
1.9 ounces dry onion soup mix
2 ½ pounds chicken thighs 6 bone in chicken thighs

Instructions

Mix the preserves, Russian dressing and soup mix.
Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker; pour mixture over chicken.
Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours

Notes

Storage:

You can refrigerate or freeze slow cooker apricot chicken depending on when you want to enjoy it again.

Once the chicken has cooled, store it in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. Refrigerated, it'll last for 3-4 days.

In the freezer, the chicken and savory sauce last up to 3 months.

It's best to let frozen apricot chicken thaw in the fridge before reheating. This could take as few as 6-8 hours, or up to a day. Once thawed, microwave the leftovers or heat them on the stove top over medium heat until warm and fragrant again.

Tips:

If you've got a few extra minutes of prep time, sear the chicken thighs in some olive oil in a hot skillet—don't cook them all the way, just enough to give the thighs a golden brown crust. This adds deep flavor to the chicken and locks in all the tasty juices.
Trimming the fat off the chicken thighs? It's not necessary, but if you like taking the extra step, I recommend using kitchen shears rather than a knife. It's easier, quicker, and more effective that way.
Some Russian dressings include mayo in the ingredients and are more creamy and orange in color. In this apricot chicken recipe, try to use the bright red Russian, French, or Catalina dressing.
For a complete meal in just 5-7 minutes, heat up some frozen veggies and serve the apricot chicken over a bed of Instant jasmine rice or microwavable rice pilaf—delicious!

Nutrition