Cranberry-Glazed Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a sweet-tart cranberry sauce with caramelized sweet potatoes for a comforting weeknight dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker (gluten-free) ready in about 375 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, dried cranberries for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

★ 4.1 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 medium peeled sweet potatoes (cut into 1-inch cubes), 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme to the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Stir to combine, then cook on LOW for 6-7 hours until chicken is tender and sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cranberry-Glazed Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 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 Cranberry-Glazed Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes?

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 sweet potatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cranberry-Glazed Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes?

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 Cranberry-Glazed Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes 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.

Is Cranberry-Glazed Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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