I love the flavors of Fall, especially apple, so we try to incorporate them into our meals a lot. We make desserts like caramel apples and apple crisp, and enjoy apple cinnamon pancakes for breakfast. Since today is the official first day of Fall, I thought it would be fun to create an easy slow cooker meal that incorporated apples. The result was Slow Cooker Apple Chicken and it is absolutely delicious!
It is very easy to prepare, which is always a plus during busy weekdays, and it’s naturally gluten free. In fact, total prep time is 10-15 minutes total! From there, it simmers to perfection in your crock pot and makes your house smell amazing. The recipe is bursting with flavor, but only has 9 ingredients (10 if you count making basmati rice to pair with it which we love to do). Here’s the simple recipe so you can make some too! I’d love to hear about your favorite Fall easy dinners too, so tell me in the comments.
Slow Cooker Apple Chicken
This recipe is naturally gluten free, and also free of dairy, soy, egg, and tree nuts. It makes 8 servings. Total prep time is 10 minutes, and cook time is 3-4 hours in a crock pot.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 medium sized apples
- 1 cup chicken broth (make sure it’s gluten free if store bought)
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Directions:
- Combine your spices in a small bowl and stir until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Wash your chicken thighs and trim off excess fat around the edges.
- Cover the chicken with half of your spice mix, rubbing it into each piece. Make sure you do this to both sides of the chicken.
- Add the chicken as the bottom layer in your crock pot.
- Peel and then dice your apples into small cubes.
- Cover the chicken with diced apples and golden raisins.
- Sprinkles the rest of your spice mixture on top of the apples and raisins.
- Pour chicken broth on top of the chicken, apples and raisins.
- Set crock pot to high and cook for 3-4 hours, depending on how tender you want the chicken to be.
- Serve over basmati rice.
Helpful Hints:
- Save time and add the spice rub to the chicken the night before. This will keep you from having to wash dishes in the morning during the hustle to get to school and/or work. Once the rub is on the chicken thighs, simply place them inside a large plastic bag and let them sit in the refrigerator over night.
- Choosing the right apples – You really can’t go wrong here, but I wouldn’t choose an apple as sweet as a Fuji apple. I love that variety of apple, but the golden raisins add sweetness to the meal and adding a super sweet apple would put it over the top too much, in my opinion. I have young children who are still developing their palettes for spices, so I decided to use gala apples which are sweeter than some varieties instead of Granny Smith apples which are more tart.
- Storing leftovers is easy! You can refrigerate them for 3 days or freeze them. In both cases, be sure to place the leftovers in an air tight container.
Slow Cooker Apple Chicken – Printable Recipe
Slow Cooker Apple Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 2 apples medium sized
- 1 cup chicken broth gluten free
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
-
Combine your spices in a small bowl and stir until evenly combined. Set aside.
-
Wash your chicken thighs and trim off excess fat around the edges.
-
Cover the chicken with half of your spice mix, rubbing it into each piece. Make sure you do this to both sides of the chicken.
-
Add the chicken as the bottom layer in your crock pot.
-
Peel and then dice your apples into small cubes.
-
Cover the chicken with diced apples and golden raisins.
-
Sprinkles the rest of your spice mixture on top of the apples and raisins.
-
Pour chicken broth on top of the chicken, apples and raisins.
-
Set crock pot to high and cook for 3-4 hours, depending on how tender you want the chicken to be.
-
Serve over basmati rice.
Recipe Notes
- Save time and add the spice rub to the chicken the night before. This will keep you from having to wash dishes in the morning during the hustle to get to school and/or work. Once the rub is on the chicken thighs, simply place them inside a large plastic bag and let them sit in the refrigerator over night.
- Choosing the right apples - You really can't go wrong here, but I wouldn't choose an apple as sweet as a Fuji apple. I love that variety of apple, but the golden raisins add sweetness to the meal and adding a super sweet apple would put it over the top too much, in my opinion. I have young children who are still developing their palettes for spices, so I decided to use gala apples which are sweeter than some varieties instead of Granny Smith apples which are more tart.
- Storing leftovers is easy! You can refrigerate them for 3 days or freeze them. In both cases, be sure to place the leftovers in an air tight container.
- Chicken breast can be substituted for chicken thighs in this recipe.
Craving more slow cooker recipes?
Then you’re in luck! I teamed up with 8 gluten free foodie friends to celebrate the first day of Fall and bring you 9 slow cooker recipes that you’ll want to devour! Links to each of the recipes are included below.
Sausage and Peppers – Thriving Gluten Free
Indian Style Chicken – Celiac Kid Cooks
Beef and Cabbage Soup – Gluten Free Mom from Colorado
Cranberry Portobello Brisket – Gluten free with 3
Beef Chorizo Chili with a Chocolate Garnish – It’s A Wheatless Life
Easy Swiss Steak – Michelle’s Gluten Free Kitchen
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread – Peace of GF Cake
Beef Stew with Butternut Squash – Gluten Free Gal Pal
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