This slow cooker apricot chicken is proof that four ingredients and a slow cooker can beat a fancy dinner any night of the week.
If you're into low-effort dinners that taste like you tried harder than you did, my Slow Cooker Honey Soy Garlic Chicken and Slow Cooker Chicken Korma Curry are also on high rotation in this house.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
🕒 Ready In: 4 hours 20 minutes (on HIGH) or 6 hours 20 minutes (on LOW)
👪 Serves: 6
🍚 Calories: 278kcal per serve
🥣 Main Ingredients: Chicken thighs, apricot halves, apricot nectar, French onion soup mix
📖 Dietary Info: Dairy-free, with an easy gluten-free swap
⭐ Why You'll Love It: Just 4 ingredients, dump-and-go slow cooker magic, and a sweet apricot sauce that wins over even the fussiest eaters.
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This is a regular in my household. It's crazy easy, limited ingredients and super tasty!
- Rochelle
This one's an absolute 5pm-panic saviour - if you're stocking up your set-and-forget rotation, my Quick and Easy Family Dinners, Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff and Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken are all worth bookmarking too.
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Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
- Prep and forget. Ten minutes of chopping and searing, then the slow cooker does the actual work while you get on with your day.
- Only four ingredients. Chicken, soup mix, apricots and nectar - that's genuinely it.
- Sweet enough for the fussy eaters, savoury enough that the adults don't feel like they're eating dessert for dinner.
- Freezes brilliantly, so double the batch and future-you gets a free dinner.
Apricot Chicken Ingredients
Just four ingredients, and there's a good chance you've already got most of them in the cupboard.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method.
- Chicken thighs - or swap for drumsticks or breasts. Thighs and drumsticks give you that fall-apart texture, breast just ends up a bit drier. Use up to 1kg if you want extra for lunches the next day.
- French onion soup mix - the little packet doing all the heavy lifting flavour-wise. I use Continental, but any brand works fine.
- Look for apricot nectar in the juice aisle, not with the canned fruit - it's easy to walk right past it. No luck finding it? Peach or mango nectar works as a stand-in.
- Apricot halves need a good drain before they go in, otherwise the sauce ends up watery instead of rich.
- The cornflour is optional, but it's what turns thin sauce into something you actually want to pour over mash.
Variations
- Different chicken cut - drumsticks work just as well as thighs. Chicken breast is fine too, just keep an eye on it so it doesn't dry out.
- Stir in a tablespoon of curry powder with the soup mix for a warmer, spiced edge - it's basically the same trick my Coronation Chicken Sandwiches use, just in slow cooker form.
- Can't find apricot nectar? Peach or mango nectar both work in a pinch, and nobody will notice.
- Toss in some baby potatoes for the last few hours of cooking and you've got an all-in-one meal, no sides required.
- Doubling this is easy - just make sure your slow cooker bowl is big enough to fit it all in a single layer.
How To Make Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Four steps, and the hardest part is waiting for it to finish cooking.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method.
- Step 1: Sear the chicken. Heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat and brown the chicken thighs on each side, then transfer them into the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add the flavour. Sprinkle the French onion soup packet over the chicken, then add the drained apricot halves and the apricot nectar.
- Step 3: Cook. Pop the lid on and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender.
- Step 4: Thicken (optional). If you want a richer sauce, stir through a little cornflour dissolved in water and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Don't skip searing the chicken if you've got five spare minutes. It caramelises the outside and adds a heap of flavour you just don't get from dumping it in raw.
- Storage - keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing - cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until piping hot.
- Going with chicken breast instead of thighs? Check it a little earlier - it can dry out if it's left in the full cook time.
- Serve it over mashed potato, rice, pasta or couscous with steamed veg on the side. Mash is my pick every time.
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken FAQs
You don't have to, but I really recommend it. Searing caramelises the outside, locks in the moisture and adds a depth of flavour that plain raw chicken just doesn't get. If you're truly pressed for time, skip it - the dish will still taste good, just not quite as rich.
Preserved apricot halves work well, or lightly poached fresh apricots if they're in season. You could also leave them out altogether - the apricot nectar still carries plenty of flavour on its own.
Yes, it's a great one to batch cook. Cool it completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Mix a tablespoon of cornflour with a splash of water until smooth, then stir it through the sauce at the end of cooking. Give it a few minutes to sit and it'll thicken right up - perfect for spooning over mash.
Mashed potato is my go-to, but rice, pasta and couscous all work brilliantly too. Add some steamed greens or broccoli on the side and dinner's sorted.
More Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes
Looking for more set-and-forget dinners? These are all family favourites around here.
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 800g skinless chicken thighs approx 6 thighs
- 40 g French onion soup mix packet dried
- 410 g apricot halves drained
- 405 ml apricot nectar
- 1 tbs cornflour optional (see notes)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Brown each side of the chicken thighs before transferring to the slow cooker. (Note: if you have a searing slow cooker you can do this step in the slow cooker bowl).
- Sprinkle over the french onion soup packet.
- Add the drained apricot halves and the apricot nectar.
- Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
- Serve with your choice of vegetables, mashed potato or pasta.
Brenda says
What else can be used instead of apricots?
Lucy Mathieson says
You could substitute the apricot halves with canned peaches or mango for a similar sweetness 😊 You can also leave them out entirely if you prefer — the apricot nectar still gives plenty of flavour.