2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

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🍑🍗 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken (Disappears Instantly!)

Looking for an easy dinner that requires almost no effort? This 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken is the ultimate dump-and-go recipe! With just chicken and apricot preserves, your Crockpot transforms two simple ingredients into a sweet, savory, tender chicken dinner the whole family will love.

This easy slow cooker apricot chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, potlucks, and meal prep. There’s no complicated sauce to make, no long ingredient list, and almost no hands-on cooking.

Just add the ingredients to your slow cooker, turn it on, and let the Crockpot do the work!

Why You’ll Love This 2-Ingredient Apricot Chicken

  • 🍑 Only 2 main ingredients
  • 🍗 Tender, juicy chicken
  • 🫕 Easy slow cooker recipe
  • ⏰ Minimal prep time
  • 🧼 Very little cleanup
  • 💰 Budget-friendly
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly
  • 🍚 Delicious over rice
  • 🔥 Perfect for busy weeknights
  • ❤️ Great for potlucks and gatherings

Ingredients

You only need two simple ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 1 cup apricot preserves or apricot jam

That’s it!

The apricot preserves create a naturally sweet, fruity glaze as they slowly cook with the chicken.

Optional Add-Ins

The recipe is intentionally kept to two ingredients, but if you want extra flavor, you can add:

  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Soy sauce
  • Dijon mustard
  • Fresh ginger
  • Chopped green onions

These extras are completely optional.

How to Make 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Trim any excess fat from the chicken if needed.

For more even cooking, try to use chicken pieces that are similar in size.

Place the chicken directly into the slow cooker.

Step 2: Add the Apricot Preserves

Spoon the apricot preserves evenly over the chicken.

If the preserves are very thick, warming them slightly can make them easier to spread.

No additional sauce is necessary.

Step 3: Slow Cook

Cover the slow cooker and cook on:

LOW for 4–6 hours

or

HIGH for 2–3 hours

Cooking time will depend on the size and type of chicken pieces.

The chicken is ready when it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully spoon the apricot sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over the chicken.

This gives every piece a glossy, fruity coating.

Step 5: Serve

Transfer the chicken to a serving plate.

Spoon extra apricot glaze over the top.

Serve warm with rice, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side.

What Does Apricot Chicken Taste Like?

This simple slow cooker chicken has a delicious sweet-and-savory flavor.

The apricot preserves create a fruity glaze that becomes warm and rich as it cooks with the chicken. The result is tender chicken coated in a sticky, flavorful sauce.

It’s mild enough for the whole family and incredibly easy to customize with savory or spicy ingredients.

The Secret to This 2-Ingredient Recipe

The beauty of this recipe is that the apricot preserves do most of the work.

As the chicken cooks, its juices combine with the preserves and create a simple sauce.

There’s no need to make a separate glaze or prepare a complicated marinade.

That’s what makes this one of those easy dump-and-go Crockpot recipes you’ll want to remember for busy days.

Chicken Breasts vs. Chicken Thighs

Both work well, but they have slightly different results.

Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are naturally more forgiving during slow cooking and tend to stay especially tender.

Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are leaner and work well too, but be careful not to overcook them.

For the most tender result, check the internal temperature rather than relying only on cooking time.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Don’t Overcook the Chicken

Chicken can become dry if cooked for much longer than necessary.

Use Good-Quality Apricot Preserves

Since the recipe only has two ingredients, the flavor of the preserves makes a noticeable difference.

Don’t Add Extra Liquid

The chicken releases moisture as it cooks, and the preserves create the glaze. Extra liquid can make the sauce thinner than desired.

Use Similar-Sized Chicken Pieces

This helps the chicken cook more evenly.

Let the Chicken Rest

Allowing the chicken to rest briefly before serving helps keep it juicy.

Can I Use Frozen Chicken?

For food safety, it’s best to thaw chicken completely in the refrigerator before placing it in a slow cooker.

Starting with thawed chicken also helps it cook more evenly.

Can I Use Apricot Jam Instead of Preserves?

Yes!

Apricot jam works well. Preserves typically contain fruit pieces and can provide a slightly more textured sauce, while jam produces a smoother glaze.

Easy Variations

Apricot Garlic Chicken

Add minced garlic or garlic powder for a savory garlic flavor.

Spicy Apricot Chicken

Add red pepper flakes or a small amount of chili sauce for a sweet-and-spicy combination.

Apricot Soy Chicken

Add a splash of soy sauce for extra savory umami flavor.

Apricot Dijon Chicken

A small amount of Dijon mustard adds tanginess and balances the sweetness.

Apricot Ginger Chicken

Freshly grated ginger gives the sauce a warm, aromatic flavor.

Apricot Chicken with Vegetables

Add vegetables separately or serve the finished chicken with roasted broccoli, carrots, green beans, or asparagus.

What to Serve with Apricot Chicken

This sweet and savory chicken pairs especially well with simple sides.

Try serving it with:

  • Jasmine rice
  • White rice
  • Brown rice
  • Fried rice
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Roasted potatoes
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Green beans
  • Roasted carrots
  • Asparagus
  • Simple green salad
  • Dinner rolls

Rice is one of the best choices because it soaks up the delicious apricot glaze.

How to Make Apricot Chicken a Complete Meal

For an easy family dinner, serve:

Apricot Chicken + Steamed Rice + Broccoli

The sweet chicken pairs beautifully with plain rice and a simple green vegetable.

You can also shred leftover chicken and serve it over rice bowls with vegetables.

How to Store Leftovers

Allow leftovers to cool promptly and transfer them to an airtight container.

Refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 3–4 days.

Reheat gently until the chicken reaches a safe serving temperature.

Add a splash of water if the glaze becomes too thick while reheating.

Can You Freeze Apricot Chicken?

Yes.

Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.

Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe with chicken thighs?

Absolutely. Chicken thighs are an excellent choice because they tend to stay tender during slow cooking.

Can I use chicken breasts?

Yes. Chicken breasts work well, but monitor them carefully so they don’t become overcooked.

Is apricot chicken sweet?

Yes, this recipe has a naturally sweet fruity flavor from the apricot preserves. Adding soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, or chili can create a more balanced sweet-and-savory profile.

Do I need to brown the chicken first?

No. This is designed as an easy dump-and-go slow cooker recipe, so browning isn’t necessary.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, provided your slow cooker is large enough to hold the ingredients safely without being overcrowded.

2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Recipe Card

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4–6 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 1 cup apricot preserves or apricot jam

Instructions

  1. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
  2. Spoon apricot preserves evenly over the chicken.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
  4. Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  5. Spoon the apricot glaze over the chicken.
  6. Let the chicken rest briefly.
  7. Serve warm with rice, vegetables, or mashed potatoes.

Final Thoughts

This 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken is exactly the kind of recipe that makes dinner easier. With only chicken and apricot preserves, you can create a tender, sweet, and savory meal with almost no preparation.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, and it’s simple enough to customize with your favorite seasonings.

Serve it over fluffy rice, add a simple vegetable on the side, and you’ve got an easy Crockpot dinner the whole family can enjoy.

Save this recipe for one of those nights when you need dinner to practically make itself! 🍑🍗

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Make this easy 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken with tender chicken and sweet apricot preserves. A simple dump-and-go Crockpot dinner!