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Crockpot Cranberry Apricot Chicken Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (high) or 6 hours 10 minutes (low)
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Crockpot Cranberry Apricot Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken thighs with a sweet and tangy sauce made from apricot preserves, cranberry sauce, and French dressing. Searing the chicken before slow cooking ensures a deliciously golden skin and deep flavor. Perfect for a comforting meal with a festive touch, this dish is easy to prepare and melts in your mouth after slow cooking for several hours.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 8 bone-in chicken thighs
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt or powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Sauce and Additional Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups apricot preserves
  • 1 cup French dressing
  • 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 cup frozen cranberries
  • Parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sear the chicken: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs all over with the combined garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika. Place the chicken in the hot skillet skin side down, and sear for about 5 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
  2. Mix the sauce: While the chicken sears, stir together the apricot preserves, French dressing, dry onion soup mix, cranberry sauce, and brown sugar in a separate bowl until well combined.
  3. Transfer chicken to slow cooker: Place the seared chicken thighs into the slow cooker, skin side up, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
  4. Add sauce and berries: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, making sure to coat all pieces. Scatter the frozen cranberries evenly on top to add bursts of tangy flavor as they cook.
  5. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the chicken is tender, cooked through, and infused with the delicious sauce flavors.
  6. Garnish and serve: Once cooked, garnish with fresh parsley or extra cranberries if desired. Serve immediately for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • Searing the chicken beforehand helps develop richer flavor and prevents the skin from becoming rubbery in the slow cooker.
  • You can substitute frozen cranberries with fresh ones if available.
  • Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of brown sugar or apricot preserves according to your taste.
  • This recipe pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to preserve moisture.

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Find it online: https://easymealgenius.com/crockpot-cranberry-apricot-chicken-recipe/