Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–6 hours
Total Time: About 4–6½ hours
Servings: 4–6
Cooking Method: Slow cooker
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Chicken
6 chicken thighs, preferably bone-in and skin-on
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1½–2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Apricot Sauce
¾ cup apricot preserves or apricot jam
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional for extra heat
Optional
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
A little orange zest
Step-by-Step Method
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels.
Season both sides with:
Salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Smoked paprika
Make sure the seasoning is distributed evenly.
2. Make the Apricot Mixture
In a small bowl, combine:
Apricot preserves + orange juice + lemon juice + soy sauce + honey + garlic + ginger + Dijon mustard.
Mix until smooth.
The sauce should be thick, sweet, and slightly tangy.
3. Add Chicken to the Slow Cooker
Lightly grease the slow cooker.
Place the seasoned chicken thighs inside in a single layer if possible.
Spoon the apricot sauce over each piece of chicken.
Make sure the sauce covers the tops of the chicken.
4. Add the Chili
Sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes generously over the chicken.
For a milder version, use only ½–1 tablespoon.
For the spicy appearance shown in the picture, you can use around 1½–2 tablespoons, depending on your heat preference.
5. Slow Cook
Cover with the lid.
LOW:
Cook for approximately 5–6 hours.
HIGH:
Cook for approximately 3–4 hours.
The chicken should become tender and reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F / 74°C.
Avoid cooking it much longer than necessary because chicken thighs can eventually become overly soft.
Optional: Get a Beautiful Golden Finish
For chicken with a more caramelized appearance like the photo:
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker.
Place it on a baking sheet.
Brush with some of the remaining apricot sauce.
Broil under a hot oven for 2–4 minutes.
Watch carefully because the apricot sauce contains sugar and can burn quickly.
This creates a glossy, slightly caramelized coating.
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