Maple-Dijon Slow-Cooker Chicken & Root Vegetable Medley
Tender chicken thighs bathed in a sweet-tangy maple-dijon glaze with roasted carrots and parsnips, perfect for effortless weeknight dinners. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 435 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, maple syrup, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 12 oz, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces carrots
- 10 oz, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces parsnips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 4 minced garlic cloves until smooth.
- Step 3: Place carrots and parsnips in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and toss to coat. Arrange chicken thighs on top, skin-side up.
- Step 4: Pour the maple-Dijon mixture evenly over the chicken, then sprinkle with 1 cup chicken broth and 1 tbsp fresh thyme.
- Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours until chicken reaches 165°F internally and vegetables are fork-tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Dijon Slow-Cooker Chicken & Root Vegetable Medley take to make?
Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Maple-Dijon Slow-Cooker Chicken & Root Vegetable Medley?
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 maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Dijon Slow-Cooker Chicken & Root Vegetable Medley?
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 Maple-Dijon Slow-Cooker Chicken & Root Vegetable Medley 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 Maple-Dijon Slow-Cooker Chicken & Root Vegetable Medley?
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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to slow cooker dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 420-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.