Maple-Glazed Carrot and Apple Chicken Thighs
Succulent chicken thighs simmered with sweet carrots and tart apples in a sticky maple sauce, a crowd-pleasing dish that even picky eaters devour. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 380 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch coins carrots
- 1 (like Honeycrisp), cored and diced crisp apple
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels; season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, then place in slow cooker.
- Step 2: Arrange the 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch coins, around the chicken, then add the 1 crisp apple, cored and diced.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp salt; pour evenly over chicken and vegetables.
- Step 4: Pour 1/4 cup chicken broth around the slow cooker edges; cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours until chicken is tender and carrots are soft.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Carrot and Apple Chicken Thighs 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 Maple-Glazed Carrot and 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 pure maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Carrot and 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 Maple-Glazed Carrot and 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 Maple-Glazed Carrot and 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect slow cooker recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
