Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken with Apple Slices

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

Tender chicken thighs glazed in a sweet-tangy honey-mustard sauce, simmered with juicy apple slices for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs chicken thighs, honey, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: Whisk 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 cup chicken broth, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a bowl until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and nestle 2 thinly sliced medium apples and 1 diced medium onion around the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until chicken is fork-tender and apples are soft.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken and apples, then skim excess fat from the sauce. Return chicken to the sauce and simmer on HIGH for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken with Apple Slices take to make?

Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 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 Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken with Apple Slices?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken with Apple Slices?

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 Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken with Apple Slices 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 Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken with Apple Slices?

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

Related recipes