Apricot-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Almond Crisp
Tender chicken thighs simmered in a sweet apricot and honey sauce, finished with a golden almond topping for a comforting yet elegant dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 380 minutes pairs pounds Bone-in chicken thighs, Dried apricots, Sliced almonds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup Dried apricots
- 1/4 cup Sliced almonds
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped Yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.5 pounds bone-in chicken thighs dry, then season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 2 minutes more; transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots, 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 3 tablespoons honey, and 1 cup chicken broth to slow cooker; stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Step 5: Remove chicken and set aside; strain sauce into a bowl, discarding solids. Skim excess fat, then return sauce to slow cooker and bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; stir into sauce and cook on high for 5 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Step 7: Toast 1/4 cup sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until golden, then sprinkle over chicken before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Apricot-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Almond Crisp take to make?
Total time is about 380 minutes (20 min prep + 360 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Apricot-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Almond Crisp?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Apricot-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Almond Crisp?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Apricot-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Almond Crisp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Apricot-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Almond Crisp?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.