Honey-Cinnamon Apple Chicken Thighs
Tender chicken thighs glazed with a sweet cinnamon-honey sauce, paired with crunchy apples and carrots for a meal kids beg for. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 315 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, apple cider, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds carrots
- 1 medium, cored and diced into 1/2-inch cubes Honeycrisp apple
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering; sear chicken thighs for 3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add carrots, apple, apple cider, honey, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper to slow cooker, stirring to combine.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours or HIGH for 2.5 hours until chicken is cooked through and carrots are tender.
- Step 4: Check tenderness by piercing chicken with a fork; juices should run clear and carrots should be easily pierced.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Cinnamon Apple Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 315 minutes (15 min prep + 300 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 Honey-Cinnamon Apple Chicken Thighs?
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 apple cider from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Cinnamon Apple Chicken Thighs?
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 Honey-Cinnamon Apple Chicken Thighs 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 Honey-Cinnamon Apple Chicken Thighs?
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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
