Crockpot Apple Chicken – Easy Slow Cooker Recipe with Tender Chicken & Caramelized Apples

If there’s one thing I love when the weather starts cooling down, it’s that warm, cozy smell of slow-cooked apples filling my house. And guess what? You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to get that homemade, baked apple goodness. This Crockpot Apple Chicken is proof that apples aren’t just for dessert—they make an amazing sweet and savory combo that takes your basic Crock Pot Recipes to the next level.

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This Crockpot Apple Chicken is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, combining tender chicken with caramelized apples, honey, and warm spices. It’s an easy dump-and-go meal that tastes like you put way more effort into it than you actually did! Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is packed with flavor and kid-approved.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

I’ve always been a sucker for Apple Crockpot Recipes—you know, those easy, dump-and-go meals that make your house smell like an apple pie exploded (in the best way possible). Whether it’s Baked Apples Crockpot Easy Recipes, Slow Cooked Apples, or even a Crockpot Apple Dessert, apples just work in the crockpot. They get all soft and caramelized, soaking up all the warm spices and juices, and suddenly it’s like you planned a gourmet meal when really… you just tossed some stuff in and let it do its thing.

Now, I know most Crock Pot Dessert Recipes like Crockpot Baked Apples or Crockpot Fried Apples Slow Cooker lean toward the sweet side (which, don’t get me wrong, I love), but this recipe takes all that apple goodness and pairs it with juicy chicken, honey, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s one of those Crockpot Recipes Slow Cooker meals that feels fancy but requires almost no effort—aka perfect for a busy mom of three who’s got zero time for complicated dinners.

So, if you love Fruit Recipes, crave that cozy Hot Apples Recipe vibe, and want something easy that actually tastes like fall in a bowl, this is for you. And hey, if your kids are like mine and obsessed with all things apple, this is a great way to sneak a little extra fruit onto their plates without complaints.

Table of Contents

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple ingredients that come together in the best way.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra tenderness)
2 apples, sliced (Honeycrisp for sweetness, Granny Smith for a little tartness)
1 small onion, sliced
½ cup apple cider (or chicken broth)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon butter (optional, but adds richness)

How to Make Crockpot Apple Chicken

Step 1: Layer the apples and onions

Place the sliced apples and onions at the bottom of the crockpot. This helps the chicken stay moist and gives it a nice base of flavor.

Step 2: Add the chicken

Place the chicken breasts or thighs on top of the apples and onions. You can leave them whole or cut them into chunks if you want smaller pieces.

Step 3: Mix the sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider, honey, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour this over the chicken.

Step 4: Let the crockpot do the work

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender.

Step 5: Stir and serve

Give everything a little stir and add a tablespoon of butter if you want to enhance the flavor. Serve as is, or shred the chicken for easier eating.

How to Serve It

There are so many ways to enjoy this dish:

Over mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal
With rice or quinoa to soak up all the flavorful juices
Stuffed into a sandwich for an easy lunch
Alongside roasted vegetables for a balanced meal

Tips for the Best Crockpot Apple Chicken

Use chicken thighs if you want extra juicy and tender meat.
Granny Smith apples give a tart contrast, while Honeycrisp adds more sweetness.
To thicken the sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Add a splash of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar for extra depth of flavor

FAQs for Crockpot Apple Chicken

What kind of apples work best for this recipe?

It depends on what you like! Granny Smith apples add a tart contrast, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples make it sweeter. If you want a mix of flavors, try using one tart apple and one sweet apple.

Can I make this in advance?

Absolutely! You can prep all the ingredients the night before, store them in the fridge, and just dump everything into the crockpot when you’re ready to cook. Leftovers also reheat really well!

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or on the stovetop over low heat until heated through.

Can I freeze this?

Yes! Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.

Crockpot Apple Chicken Recipe Card

Crockpot Apple Chicken Recipe

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 6

Servings:

Author: Fareeha

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
2 apples , sliced Honeycrisp for sweetness, Granny Smith for tartness
1 small onion , sliced
½ cup apple cider or chicken broth
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon butter optional, for extra richness

Instructions

Layer the apples and onions – Place the sliced apples and onions at the bottom of your crockpot.
Add the chicken – Lay the chicken breasts or thighs on top of the apples and onions.
Mix the sauce – In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider, honey, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken.
Cook – Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
Finish & Serve – Stir everything together, add a tablespoon of butter for extra richness, and serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or alongside roasted veggies.

Notes

Pro Tips

Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness.
Mix apple types for a balance of sweetness and tartness.
Thicken the sauce by adding a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) in the last 30 minutes of cooking.

And that’s it—easy, cozy, and totally delicious! This Crockpot Apple Chicken is proof that Apple Crockpot Recipes aren’t just for desserts. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love a good Crockpot Apple Dessert or some Crockpot Baked Apples, but there’s something about the sweet and savory combo in this dish that just hits different. Plus, it’s basically a set-it-and-forget-it meal, which is the only kind of Crock Pot Cooking I have time for these days.

If your family is anything like mine, you probably already love all the classic Baked Apples Crockpot Easy Recipes, like Crockpot Fried Apples Slow Cooker or a good Baked Apples Recipe Crockpot situation. But if you wanna switch things up and turn those Crockpot Apples into a full-blown dinner instead of just a dessert, this recipe is so worth trying. It’s got all the comforting flavors of Crock Pot Desserts but in a savory, juicy, tender chicken dish. And honestly? It makes me feel like I actually have my life together, even when everything else is a hot mess.

So if you need a dinner that’s crazy easy, packed with flavor, and makes your house smell like a warm Hot Apples Recipe, this one’s for you. Try it out, let me know what you think, and if you end up making extra Cooked Apples In Crockpot just for snacking (because same), no judgment here.