Slow Cooker Apple Cider Glazed Chicken

Slow Cooker Apple Cider Glazed Chicken is a cozy fall dinner featuring tender chicken thighs, sweet apples, and a rich apple cider glaze. It's an easy crockpot meal that's perfect for chilly evenings.

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This post was last updated 8/2026. 

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Shopping list:

• bone in, skin on chicken thighs
• seasoned salt
• black pepper
• garlic powder
• olive oil
• Honeycrisp apples
• apple cider
• light brown sugar
• Dijon mustard
• apple cider vinegar
• onion powder
• cornstarch
• cold water
• fresh parsley

There's nothing better than a cozy slow cooker meal when the weather starts to cool, and this Slow Cooker Apple Cider Glazed Chicken is everything you want in a fall dinner. Bone-in chicken thighs are first seared until golden brown, then slow cooked with fresh apple slices in a sweet and savory glaze made with apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and spices. As the chicken cooks low and slow, it becomes incredibly tender while soaking up all of those comforting autumn flavors.

The apples soften into the sauce, adding just the right amount of sweetness, while a simple cornstarch slurry transforms the cooking liquid into a rich, glossy glaze that's perfect for spooning over every bite. Serve this comforting chicken with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, or buttered noodles for a hearty family dinner that's ideal for crisp fall evenings. It's an easy slow cooker recipe that fills your home with the cozy aroma of apple cider and spices while dinner practically cooks itself.

Looking for some more recipes to use apple cider? Perhaps some drinks? Check out my Apple Cider Float or Fireball Apple Cider!

Are you a fan of slow cooker chicken recipes? If so, try this Slow Cooker Angel Chicken or Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

Recipe tips:

• For the best texture, use Honeycrisp or Gala apples, as they hold their shape well during slow cooking. Taking a few extra minutes to sear the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker creates deeper flavor and gives the chicken beautiful golden color. The glaze is ready when it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If you'd like an even richer color and slightly crispier skin, place the cooked chicken under the broiler for 2-3 minutes before serving, then spoon the warm glaze over the top.

• For the best flavor, use fresh apple cider instead of shelf stable. The cider adds a richer, more concentrated apple flavor that really shines in the glaze. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels before seasoning and searing to help the skin brown more evenly. Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet while searing, work in batches if necessary so the chicken develops a nice golden crust instead of steaming.

• Try to slice the apples into evenly sized wedges so they cook at the same rate. If your slow cooker runs hot, begin checking the chicken toward the shorter end of the cooking time to keep it tender and juicy. Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Swaps and additions:

• This recipe is easy to adapt with a few simple swaps. Boneless chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, or bone in pork chops all work well in place of bone in chicken thighs. If you don't have apple cider, apple juice makes a great substitute, and you can replace the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness. 

• For a more tart flavor, use Granny Smith apples instead of sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala. To add even more savory flavor, stir in sliced onions or minced fresh garlic before cooking, or finish the dish with crumbled bacon just before serving for a delicious sweet and smoky combination.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker
• Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
• OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Measuring Beaker Set 
• Silicone Whisk Set
• Apple Peeler Slicer Corer 

Yield 6 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

20 Min

Cook time

6 Hour

Total time

6 H & 20 M

Slow Cooker Apple Cider Glazed Chicken

Juicy chicken thighs slowly cook with fresh apples in a sweet and savory apple cider sauce that thickens into a delicious glaze. This comforting slow cooker recipe is made for fall dinners and family gatherings.

Ingredients

• 6 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium Honeycrisp apples, sliced
• 1½ cups apple cider
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Season the chicken thighs on both sides with the seasoned salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Place the chicken thighs in the skillet, skin-side down, and sear for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Transfer the chicken thighs to the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker.
5. Arrange the apple slices over and around the chicken.
6. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar and onion powder until well combined.
7. Pour the apple cider mixture around the chicken in the slow cooker.
8. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
9. Carefully transfer the chicken to a serving plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
11. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the cooking liquid in the slow cooker.
12. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH, leave the lid off, and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened into a glossy glaze.
13. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the glaze over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
14. Serve warm with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

448

Fat

27 g

Sat. Fat

7 g

Carbs

28 g

Fiber

2 g

Net carbs

26 g

Sugar

21 g

Protein

24 g

Sodium

561 mg

Cholesterol

142 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results I do due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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