Description
These Crockpot Apple Cider Chicken Thighs are the ultimate cozy fall comfort meal — tender chicken slow-cooked with crisp apples, aromatic herbs, and a sweet-tangy cider glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights or a weekend dinner that tastes like autumn in every bite.
Ingredients
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2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
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2 cups apple cider (not vinegar)
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 tbsp brown sugar
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1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
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2 apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced thin
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
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1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
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Prepare the produce: Thinly slice 2 apples and 1 onion. Mince 3 cloves of garlic.
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Whisk the sauce: In a small bowl, mix apple cider, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
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Layer in the crockpot: Drizzle olive oil in the bottom, add sliced onions and apples, then place chicken thighs on top. Sprinkle with rosemary and thyme. Pour the cider mixture over everything and add the minced garlic.
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Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens slightly.
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Serve: Spoon the cider sauce and caramelized apples over the chicken. Pair with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and simmer the liquid on the stove for 5 minutes.
Substitute dried herbs if needed (1 tsp each of rosemary and thyme).
The flavors deepen beautifully overnight — perfect for meal prep!
Use real apple cider, not apple juice or vinegar, for authentic fall flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)
- Category: Dinner, Slow Cooker, Fall Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1 chicken thigh + sauce)
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg