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    Home » Recipes » Family Dinners

    Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

    Modified: Jun 19, 2025 · Published: Oct 30, 2020 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 27 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    A blue bowl filled with mashed potato, broccoli and tender apricot chicken.

    This slow cooker apricot chicken is the ultimate fuss-free family dinner—sweet, savoury, and so easy! Love simple slow cooker meals? Try my honey soy chicken, creamy Tuscan chicken, or pulled pork too!

    A fork with apricot chicken on a bed of mashed potato and greens.

    This is a regular in my household. It’s crazy easy, limited ingredients and super tasty!

    - Rochelle

    I’m all about quick and easy weeknight dinners! While I don’t mind spending extra time in the kitchen on weekends, weeknights call for simple, no-fuss meals.

    For a recipe to make it onto our regular rotation, it has to be:
    ✔️ Kid-friendly
    ✔️ Made with basic pantry staples
    ✔️ Quick to prepare
    ✔️ Freezer-friendly for leftovers

    This slow cooker apricot chicken ticks every box—just like our family favourites noodle and beef chow mein, creamy chicken, bacon and rice casserole, 4 ingredient carbonara, and tuna and vegetable pasta bake.

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    • Prep and Forget! This apricot chicken takes less than 10 minutes to throw together—then let the slow cooker work its magic while you get on with your day.
    • Family-Friendly. Sweet, comforting, and always a hit—even with fussy eaters! The apricots add just the right touch of sweetness kids love.
    • Budget-Friendly. Made with affordable chicken thighs, but you can swap for drumsticks or breasts if you prefer (keep in mind, chicken breasts won’t be quite as tender).
    • Only 4 Ingredients! It doesn’t get any easier than this—just four simple ingredients, and you’re done!
    • Packed with Flavour. Don’t underestimate that little packet of French onion soup mix—it’s the secret to big, bold flavour.
    • Freezer-Friendly. Cook a big batch and freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months. Perfect for busy nights!
    Jump to:
    • Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
    • Chicken Ingredients
    • How To Make Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
    • Recipe Tips
    • Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken FAQs
    • More Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

    Chicken Ingredients

    JUST 4 INGREDIENTS!!! Can you believe it!? So simple, yet so full of flavour—this is weeknight cooking made easy!

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

    The ingredients for apricot chicken.
    • Chicken – or swap for drumsticks or breasts. Thighs and drumsticks give the most tender, fall-apart meat. Use up to 1kg if needed.
    • Apricot Nectar – a thick, sweet liquid (check below for tips on the best type and where to buy it).
    • French Onion Soup Mix – a packet of flavour-packed powder from the soup aisle. I use Continental, but any brand works.

    How To Make Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

    It couldn’t be easier to make this delicious apricot chicken—just follow these simple steps!

    Note: scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom for the full detailed method and ingredient quantities

    Chicken thigh fillets in the base of a slow cooker.
    1. Step 1: Sear the chicken thighs until golden on each side and then place into the slow cooker.
    Apricot halves and apricot nectar, chicken and french onion soup in the base of a slow cooker.
    1. Step 2: Sprinkle over the French onion soup packet.

      Add the drained apricot halves and the apricot nectar.

      Cook for 6 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH.
    Chicken cooked in an apricot sauce in a slow cooker.
    1. Step 3: If you want to thicken the soup, add a little cornflour dissolved in water and stir through the sauce.

    Recipe Tips

    • Choose the Right Cut: Opt for skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks for the most tender, fall-apart meat. While chicken breasts can be used, they may not be as juicy.
    • Select Quality Apricot Nectar: Use thick, sweet apricot nectar for the best flavour. Look for it in the juice aisle of your supermarket.
    • Drain Apricot Halves: Ensure you drain the canned apricot halves before adding them to the slow cooker to prevent the sauce from becoming too watery.
    • Use Flavorful Soup Mix: A packet of French onion soup mix adds depth to the dish. Continental brand is popular in Australia, but any brand will work.
    • Cooking Time: Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This allows the flavours to meld and the chicken to become tender.
    • Freezer-Friendly: This dish freezes well. Store leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Serving Suggestions: Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or couscous, accompanied by steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

    Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken FAQs

    Do I need to sear the chicken?

    It’s not essential, but it really does elevate the flavour! Searing caramelises the chicken, locks in moisture, and adds a rich, delicious depth to the dish. If you’ve got a few extra minutes, it’s totally worth it!

    What can I use instead of apricot halves in juice?

    If you can’t find canned apricot halves in juice, try using preserved apricot halves or lightly poached fresh apricots instead.

    Do I need to thicken the apricot chicken sauce?

    I recommend it! Just stir through a little cornflour mixed with water at the end of cooking. This gives the sauce a lovely, rich consistency—perfect for serving over mash or pasta.

    Can I use a different cut of chicken?

    Absolutely! Skinless chicken drumsticks are a great alternative to thighs. You can also use chicken breasts or tenderloins, but keep in mind they won’t have the same tender, fall-apart texture.

    Apricot halves and chicken thighs coated in an apricot sauce.

    More Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes

    Looking for more easy, set-and-forget meals? Try these family favourites!

    • A bowl of creamy beef and mushroom stroganoff, served over egg noodles.
      Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
    • A bowl of fall-apart tender chicken satay with vegetables.
      Slow Cooker Satay Chicken
    • A close up image of a slow cooker lamb shank on mashed potato
      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks
    • An overhead shot of a bowl of chicken korma.
      Slow Cooker Chicken Korma Curry

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    A blue bowl filled with mashed potato, broccoli and tender apricot chicken.

    Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

    A simple 4 ingredient Apricot Chicken family dinner that's cooked in the slow cooker until fall-apart tender and completely delicious!
    5 from 67 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Slow Cooker Recipe
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 serves
    Calories: 278kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    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)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Ingredients Info:
    • skinless chicken thighs – or substitute with chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts. Chicken thighs or drumsticks are the best option as they will be more tender and the meat will quite literally ‘fall-apart’ when cooked. You can increase the amount of chicken up to 1kg if you like.
    • apricot nectar – apricot nectar is a sweet thick liquid that is made by mixing apricot puree with water. It can sometimes be tricky to find at the supermarket as it tends to be kept in the juice aisle (not the canned/tinned fruit aisle).
    • apricot halves – ensure the apricot halves are drained before adding to the slow cooker.
    • French Onion soup mix – this is a powder that can be bought in packets from the soup aisle of the supermarket. I generally use Continental brand (which is popular here in Australia), but you can use any brand you like. It is also known as simmer soup mix.
    More Recipe Tips
    Searing the chicken (optional but HIGHLY recommended) - this step caramelises the outside of the chicken, locks in the moisture and adds the most delicious flavour to the dish.
    Thickening the sauce (optional) - I like to thicken the sauce at the very end of cooking using 1tbs of cornflour that’s been dissolved in ¼ cup water. This makes it the perfect consistency for serving on top of mashed potato or pasta.
    Doubling - this recipe can easily be doubled.
    Storing and freezing - consume any leftovers within 1 day or freeze for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 610mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 2236IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

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    Comments

    1. Erica says

      March 04, 2025 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely yummy I will be trying this recipe tomorrow night! Thank you Lucy!

      Reply
    2. Suzanne Picone says

      July 31, 2024 at 5:04 am

      Can I use homemade French onion soup

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        July 31, 2024 at 1:31 pm

        I haven't tried that sorry!

        Reply
    3. Georgia says

      September 04, 2023 at 7:07 pm

      Hey, do you definitely use 1/4cup water to 1TBS if cornflour?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        September 05, 2023 at 7:20 am

        Hi Georgia, yes that's correct (or if you need to use a little more - one third of a cup, that's fine too!). It's just to thicken the liquid.

        Reply
    4. Rita says

      July 31, 2023 at 7:57 pm

      Can I leave this going cooking for 8 hours? I was hoping to put it on before work, and be ready to eat once I get home.

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        August 01, 2023 at 1:53 pm

        You 'can' on LOW but the meat will be VERY soft and shredded.

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 67 votes (61 ratings without comment)

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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

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