Slow Cooker Chicken with Caramelized Apples and Onions

People (including me!) throw out the words “tastes like fall” a lot to describe recipes this time of year.  But what does that mean?  I guess it can mean something different to each person but I tend to think of foods that are found seasonally this time of year.  Apples, pumpkins, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin beer…… wait what was I saying?  Sorry!  Got distracted there for a minute ;).  What I really wanted to say is that THIS CHICKEN is one of those recipes that “tastes like fall” and should be made and enjoyed throughout this season!

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Maybe it’s the caramelized apples and onions or maybe it’s the fact it’s cooked up with a big pot of delicious rice making it like the ultimate comfort food, but this dinner just makes me want to put on my coziest sweat pants and curl up with a bowl of this food in front of the fireplace!

And I do know how much you guys love complete meals made in the slow cooker! The rice cooks right along with the chicken leaving you only to caramelize the apples and onions for a couple of minutes on the stove.  Whisk up a little creamy balsamic drizzle to top off the ultimate autumn meal.

How did I get my chicken so brown and crispy?  Yes, I did brown it up first before slow cooking it.  Can you skip this step?  I really don’t recommend it in the recipe.  We are using bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and that skin really need to be crispy.  Why slow cook it at all then?  Because you only have to brown it for a couple minutes, and slow cooking it keeps it so juicy and delicious! Hate dirtying up an extra pan?  You can make it all in one of these multi-cookers which is what I do! I love it!! Makes easy work of the perfect fall meal!

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Slow Cooker Chicken with Caramelized Apples and Onions

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

7 hrs 20 mins

Total Time

7 hrs 40 mins

 

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 940 kcal

Author: Slow Cooker Gourmet

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon seasoning blend (I used McCormick's Blue Moon White Ale Seasoning)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• salt and pepper
• 2 cups brown texmati rice
• 4 cups chicken broth (I was low on broth and actually used 1 cup broth + 3 cups water)
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme

For caramelized apples and onions:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large sweet onion sliced
• 1 granny smith apple peeled and sliced
• 1 gala apple peeled and sliced

Instructions

1. Heat butter and olive oil in skillet over medium to high heat (or in multi cooker)
2. Sprinkle chicken (skin side) with thyme, seasoning blend, parsley and a little salt and pepper
3. Place chicken skin side down in skillet and let brown in pan without moving for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned
4. Remove from pan and add rice, garlic and thyme to remaining oil/butter
5. Let brown while stirring for 2-3 minutes
6. Transfer rice to slow cooker and stir in broth
7. Add chicken on top and cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for 2.5 - 3.5 hours
8. When fully cooked stir rice well and if not fully cooked you can add an additional 1/2 cup water and continue to cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes

For caramelized apples and onions:

1. Heat butter and olive oil in skillet over medium high heat
2. Add onion and let cook for 6-8 minutes, stir occasionally
3. Add apples and continue to cook for another 6-8 minutes or until onions and apples are browned and tender
4. Serve with chicken and rice

Recipe Notes

This is delicious drizzled with a little creamy balsamic like Simply Dressing by Marzetti or whip up your own using your favorite recipe. I like a little balsamic with a touch of olive oil, mustard and greek yogurt.

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Chicken with Caramelized Apples and Onions

Amount Per Serving

Calories 940 Calories from Fat 414

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 46g 71%

Saturated Fat 15g 75%

Cholesterol 171mg 57%

Sodium 294mg 12%

Potassium 965mg 28%

Total Carbohydrates 95g 32%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 13g

Protein 36g 72%

Vitamin A 11.1%

Vitamin C 11.9%

Calcium 9.7%

Iron 22.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Tools used in making this recipe:

Craving more fall recipes:

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Gnocchi Bake