A family favourite growing up!
Submitted by Paulene Christie
Apricot Chicken
A family favourite growing up!
Serving: 4
Ingredients
- 1kg chicken of your choice (drumsticks, thigh or breast fillets, wings)
- 1 40g pkt dry french onion soup mix
- 1 diced onion
- One of the following: 425ml tin of apricot nectar OR 1 jar apricot jam OR 1 tin apricot pieces in juice
Instructions
- Lay chicken and diced onion in slow cooker bowl.
- Combine soup mix and apricot option of your choice
- Pour over chicken and cook on low for 4-5hrs approx.
- NOTES
- Sometimes if I use thigh fillets I also stir through some steamed veg at the end as pictured above
- This recipe can be varied slightly to Mango Chicken
- This recipe can also be varied slightly to Apricot Chicken Curry
- This recipe can also be made with a thicker sauce but dusting chicken in flour prior to beginning cooking, or by adding a corn flour slurry to thicken sauce in the final 10-15mins
Tried this recipe?Scroll Down To Share What You Think
Sorry didn’t like this recip, way to sweet for our taste
Thanks for your feedback Rita 🙂
Which version did you try of the options given? (the jam would of course be the sweetest, then the nectar than the pieces)
If too sweet a tsp of curry can break up the sweetness ?
Not bad for how easy it is! Literally throw everything in, set and forget! Only have to cut the onion. We served with rice and the family approved.
Hi could you changed the chicken for pork. I really enjoyed the chicken was just wondering .
I think you could – give it a go and let us know 🙂
Loved this…I used the apricot nectar & a tin of apricots using only half of the juice. To counteract the sweetness I also added a tspn of Moroccan la karma spice ( Moroccan seasoning or a mild curry powder will sub in nicely) & 1/2 tspn of chicken stock powder. On low for 5 hours using Maryland pieces & it was fabulous. Thank you
Thanks Kerry 🙂
Pauline, would like to cook this in the next week but was wondering if I used fillets could I cut them into bite size pieces and cook for say 4.5 hours.
Sure you could, a little less time would see it done even
3.5hrs if you need it a little sooner perhaps but 4.5hrs will still work great 🙂
If you do the pieces do you add the juice too?
Yes 🙂
Do I cook the chicken first if I’m making freezer bags? Thanks
No it goes in raw and cooks on the day 🙂
Also, would I be able to use an apricot chicken sauce jar/packet rather than the juice etc.
Sure 🙂
Have a stove top recipe similar to this that uses cream. I have put all in slowcooker except the cream and going to add that about half an hour before serving. fingers crossed it going to come out ok. It also has mixed herbs, curry powder and garlic in it. It is a recipe my friend gave me as he had a creamy apricot chicken years ago from a place and been trying to find a recipe, most of them just have a glaze type sauce but he wants creamy(and we can only seem to find stove-top not slowcooker recipes) I prefer to use slowcooker.
You should seriously consider trying then submitting your version too!
Sounds very unique!
So simple yet amazing. Had this tonight. Only thing I added different was a cup water, rice flour, curry powder and garlic. An absolute winner
Wonder what the Mango would be like
It’s delish
If you search MANGO CHICKEN we have lot’s of versions 🙂
I absolutely love this dinner
Lovely!! I left mine on low for 7 hours which meant most of the chicken was falling off the bone but so delicious!
Could I use dry apricots if I soak them in water to soften them and use the water they were soaked in?
I’ve not tried to do that but as you can rehyrdrate them with hot water soak I don’t see why not … however why not just put them into the slow cooker dry? The cooking process and liquids will do the job for you with no extra steps needed 🙂
Hi Paulene
If I want to use nectar & apricots do I add any juice from the apricot can?
Thankyou
If you are using the nectar also just add the fruit only 🙂
Love this, so easy! And generally already have everything in the pantry already. Hubby and toddler approved…will be trying with mango next 🙂
Cooked this for dinner last night. I added a teaspoon of curry powder about half way through. So delicious. The chicken drumsticks were falling off the bone and I served it up on a bed of rice.
Hi there. Just wondering, Do you have to brown the chicken prior to placing in the slow cooker?
You don’t have to 🙂
Here’s the pros and cons, the rest is personal choice >>
Thoroughly enjoyed this meal, so much nicer than when I’ve attempted it before using sachets and cooking it on the hob. Used tinned apricots in juice, delicious. Family rated it 8/10.
I never liked apricot chicken as a kid but I do like this recipe. I use the tin apricot pieces in juice. I have tried drumsticks but did not like that option as they fell apart which is a good thing but was not good for me to try picking out all the little bones before serving haha. I found breast to be a bit on the dry side, and thigh perfect. I cut the thighs into halves/quarters. Serve with rice and steam veg. It says 4 serves but I found this to actually serve 2 nights of dinners for 2 adults and 2 children plus 1-2 lunches for hubby so it goes a long way (although I suppose it depends how much chicken you are having on your plate).
Great recipe, thanks for sharing another winner! Have this in the slow cooker right as I type this! I added a little curry powder too, which is sort of like a hybrid of Apricot Chicken’s cool cousin, curried sausages, and apricot chicken.
Sure is yummy with curry 🙂 >> Apricot Chicken Curry
I have a heap of chicken breasts and want to cook this dish. Has anyone tried this? Does breast end up dry?
I do find breast more dry than others myself but many love it still 🙂
Where would I be able to buy French onion soup mix in the UK please I’ve looked in most shops and been unable to find it, or is there a substitute that I would be able to use instead please. Thanks
You can make your own 🙂 HERE
Thanks
If using a jar of jam do I need to add water
No water 🙂
Yummy!! A hit with most of the family. Served with Brown rice and steamed greens. One change I made was a couple of teaspoons of corn flour to thicken the sauce as it was a little thin. Will make again
Apricot chicken was great used thighs and followed recipe using nectar only.
Most of us enjoyed it however will try adding a combo of apricot pieces and nectar next time.
Tonight we have the mango version on the go… of course i forgot id onky grabbed 1kg chicken and added both a tin of mango pieces in juice and mango nectar so it will be extra saucy haha…. upside im hoping i can thicken tge remaining sauce and use more as a gravy for a basic chicken and veg night later in the week.
Hubby doesnt like curry so I’m wondering if adding that will alter the flavour too much for him? What else could I possibly add instead to bring the sweetness down?
You can leave the curry out for sure. Go with apricot nectar for less sweet than the jam or fruit options
I cooked this for my family they really enjoyed it will be added to the list of favourites
Really enjoyed this recipe as did the family. So easy and the aroma was delicious. I did add half a teaspoon of curry powder, as suggested by others, to add a little more flavour and next time will probably do a full teaspoon. I also added two pinches of salt. I used 600ml apricot halves in nectar. The apricot completely pulverized and the chicken became shredded chicken which we love. Although a bit runny, it was delicious with rice and asparagus.
Thanks Slow Cooker Central! Have to say this recipe was very delicious! No complaints from any of the family & will be making it again! ???
Enjoyable mild apricot sweetness and flavour used nectar and apricot pieces and chicken breast.
Can you do this with any other fruit?
Yes you can make it mango chicken with pureed tin of mango in juices or with straight mango nectar
Can I use dried apricots if i soak them overnight also use sheets of apricot soaked to make juice. Thank you
Another favourite.
Delicious with plenty of sauce.
I added carrots too and served with potato n sour cream plus corn cob.
Loved it. So quick and easy. I used whole thigh fillets.
Hi
Made this yesterday
I used drumsticks- yum
And l added two teaspoons of curry powder, fried off with the onion, before l added other ingredients ( used a tin of apricot and nectar)
Will make it again but do 3 teaspoons of curry powder, for my fussy hubby also will try with Maryland chicken as per request from hubby
Served with rice delicious
Made this for tea last night. Was so yummy. I used tenderloins. So easy. I used apricot nectar. Served with rice.
Made last night. SOOO good!
Used chicken thighs and a 375g jar of Apricot conserve and the French onion soup mix. Never going back. Partner said it was the yummiest apricot chicken I’ve made to date. Next time will add a few chopped apricots also.
Thank you for always taking the time to leave feedback Kristi 🙂 🙂
Excellent, tasty recipe that my grand daughter likes. . I also add some apricot halves.
When I am cooking it just for myself, I also add 4 teaspoons of Keens curry and sometimes a can of coconut milk.
One of my favourite old school recipes. I often add a tin of baby carrots- not sure why. I think I just love tinned baby carrots in everything slow cooked.
Cooked this yesterday with 9 drumsticks. I left out diced onion. Used a packet of French Onion dry soup mix and a huge spoonful of Beerenberg Apricot Jam. Cooked on high for 2 hours and 3 on low. Shredded meat of bones and stirred through sauce. Served with rice and steam veg.
Apricot chicken is a childhood favourite and this dish is fantastic and yummy. Can use any cut of chicken but I currently have a fussy 3 year old but also find the drumsticks give more flavour.
Absolutely delicious chicken literally fell of the bone!
I used thigh chicken fillets and apricot halves in syrup (cause I read the recipe that said juice after I got the can). It was tasty but I would have liked the sauce a bit thicker so in hindsight I would use nectar AND apricot halves that have been drained. I warmed the leftovers in a frypan and the sauce thickened up really nicely and kind of carmellised
We love a really good Apricot Chicken and this was so delicious and good 😋😋.
I thickened it with some Risoni because I didn’t have any cornflour and I served it with mashed potatoes as requested by my Husband.
This is an absolute winner in our home and we’ll definitely be doing it again.
Quick and easy to prepare and with a fabulous, delicious outcome.
Thanks for another awesome recipe Paulene.
10/10 for this recipe 😃😃
That’s awesome!
Thanks for leaving your great feedback Bernice 🙂
Loved this recipe. So easy and very tasty. I look forward to trying it with mango as well.
Thanks for leaving your great feedback Dana 🙂
It doesn’t get any easier than this! Used the tin of nectar and dusted the chicken breast with flour. Such a quick and easy dinner that my 12 yr old has asked if she can do it next time! Winning!
Hooray! So happy it inspired your little one to cook too Cori 🙂
Just tried this recipe, added some wilting capsicum , celery and carrots. Was easy and very tasty.
Thanks for sharing your ideas of extra add ins Jo 🙂
Apricot chicken is hubby’s favourite.
He said it was tasty, one taste apricot, the next curry!
I added a heaped teaspoon of curry powder and thickened with cornflour. It made heaps of sauce.
So pleased he enjoyed it Kerry 🙂 We love the Apricot Chicken Curry option also x
I made this a little while ago and froze it for my sister for when she had her baby. They only just ate it tonight so been waiting for feedback 🤣
Her partner made happy noises and nodded his head when eating so I think we’re onto a winner! My sister said the sauce was her favourite bit.
I used apricot halves in juice (I think the tin was slightly smaller than the amount specified in recipe), Maryland fillets cut into pieces and added frozen veg. Simple, cheap and apparently very tasty 😆
Thank you for your fantastic review Teaghan! Loved it 🙂