Maple-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables
A comforting, hands-off dinner with tender chicken and sweet roasted vegetables, infused with the perfect balance of maple and mustard. This american comfort-inspired slow cooker ready in about 435 minutes pairs skinless and bone-in chicken thighs, large, thinly sliced onion, maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 2 lbs, skinless and bone-in chicken thighs
- 4 medium, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch parsnips
- 1 large, thinly sliced onion
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs skinless bone-in chicken thighs in the slow cooker, then layer 4 medium sliced carrots, 2 medium sliced parsnips, and 1 large sliced onion over the chicken.
- Step 2: Whisk together 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 cup chicken broth, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a bowl, then pour evenly over the vegetables and chicken.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours until chicken is tender and vegetables are easily pierced with a fork. Remove chicken and vegetables, skim excess fat from the sauce, and serve chicken with a generous spoonful of the rich, sweet-savory sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables 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-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables?
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 large, thinly sliced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables?
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-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables?
American Comfort 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
