• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Slow Cooker Gourmet

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Find a Recipe
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes » Chicken Recipes » Slow Cooker Chicken with Caramelized Apples and Onions

    Published: Oct 19, 2015 · Modified: Oct 1, 2021 by Jennifer · This post may contain affiliate links

    Slow Cooker Chicken with Caramelized Apples and Onions

    1569 shares
    • Facebook148
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    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!

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    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!

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    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.

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    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!

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken with Caramelized Apples and Onions

    Jennifer Draper
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 7 hrs 20 mins
    Total Time 7 hrs 40 mins
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 940 kcal

    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
    • ½ 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
     

    • Heat butter and olive oil in skillet over medium to high heat (or in multi cooker)
    • Sprinkle chicken (skin side) with thyme, seasoning blend, parsley and a little salt and pepper
    • Place chicken skin side down in skillet and let brown in pan without moving for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned
    • Remove from pan and add rice, garlic and thyme to remaining oil/butter
    • Let brown while stirring for 2-3 minutes
    • Transfer rice to slow cooker and stir in broth
    • Add chicken on top and cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for 2.5 - 3.5 hours
    • When fully cooked stir rice well and if not fully cooked you can add an additional ½ cup water and continue to cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes

    For caramelized apples and onions:

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

    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

    Calories: 940kcalCarbohydrates: 95gProtein: 36gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 171mgSodium: 294mgPotassium: 965mgFiber: 6gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 555IUVitamin C: 9.8mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @slowcookergourmet or tag #slowcookergourmet!
    Important nutritional disclaimer

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    Slow Cooker Gourmet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If you purchase a product through this link I will earn a small commission. As always, I only recommend products I use and love!

    Tools used in making this recipe:

     

    Craving more fall recipes:

    Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

    Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

    Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Gnocchi Bake

    Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Gnocchi Bake

    « BBQ Pulled Pork Enchiladas
    Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Pasta »
    1569 shares
    • Facebook148
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rob Paradis says

      September 26, 2016 at 9:23 am

      Hi, so cooking the rice 5-7 hours isn't too long? (new to cooking for the family over here)
      Using a whole chicken doesn't change things too much hopefully...

      Thanks for the help.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        September 26, 2016 at 1:36 pm

        Hi Rob! Yes, using a whole chicken should be just fine. To be on the safe side, of course, always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. As far as the rice is concerned, it cooks up pretty well in the slow cooker over this period of time, however, it will be a bit of a different texture from conventionally cooked rice. If that will bother you, you could always cook it separately on the stove top OR add premium instant rice at the end of the cooking time for about 15-20 minutes.

        Reply
    2. Fran says

      September 11, 2016 at 6:21 am

      would I need to increase the cooking time if I used 8 breasts instead of just 4? If I need to increase the time how much time would you add?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        September 11, 2016 at 8:37 am

        Hi Fran! I would probably add about and hour of cooking time for low (30 mins for high), but what will make the most difference is what size of slow cooker you use. Just make sure that your slow cooker is about 2/3 to 3/4 full and your food should cook properly.

        Reply
    3. sandra says

      August 24, 2016 at 11:22 am

      Do I understand apples and onions go in after cooked?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        August 24, 2016 at 11:49 am

        Hi Sandra! Yes, they get a quick cook in a skillet to caramelize and then you serve them with along with the chicken.

        Reply
    4. Kate says

      November 16, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      1 thigh per person seems a little slim. Is there any reason why this same recipe wouldn't work with breasts instead? I know thighs tend to be juicier, but that problem seems illevitated for breasts given the slow cooker.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 17, 2015 at 7:41 am

        Hi Kate! Yes, in this recipe I think it would be fine to sub out bone-in chicken breasts instead of thighs.

        Reply
    5. Amanda says

      October 19, 2015 at 9:53 am

      Chicken and apples together is such a great combination. What a yummy meal for the cooler weather.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I love creating fresh recipes that are quick and simple to make so that I can help you get dinner on the table without the fuss!

    More about me →

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
    • Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    As seen on...

    Simple Seasoning Blends

    Make these simple homemade seasoning blends using spices you probably have on hand! Use their amazing flavors in many of my delicious and easy recipes!

    • The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
    • Ranch Seasoning
    • Curry Seasoning
    • Homemade Cajun Seasoning

    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I love creating fresh recipes that are quick and simple to make so that I can help you get dinner on the table without the fuss!

    More about me →

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
    • Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    As seen on...

    Simple Seasoning Blends

    Make these simple homemade seasoning blends using spices you probably have on hand! Use their amazing flavors in many of my delicious and easy recipes!

    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Moroccan Spice Blend
    • Homemade Seasoning Blends

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Nutrition Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 My Gourmet Creations, LLC by Spark Media Concepts, LLC

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    1569 shares
    • 148