Slow cooker apricot chicken

Chicken thighs are cooked until tender in the slow cooker with a sticky sauce of apricots, soy, and mustard, and then topped with sliced almonds for a bit of crunch. Slow cooker meals are a favorite of mine and I'm going to try to post more recipes utilizing the slow cooker. A lot of the time, I'm just dumping in beef stew ingredients or chicken and salsa, and not really measuring or doing it the same each time. I did an Instagram stories poll and 100% of respondents said they wanted to see more slow cooker recipes this year. That means my slow cooker will be getting more use! This apricot chicken dish is simple and yummy. I've been trying to find more ways to incorporate fruit into main dishes and meat recipes to encourage our toddlers to try them. This recipe will feed about 3-4 people with side dishes, but you can easily double it for more people or bigger appetites. It's terrific served with rice and your choice of vegetable(s).

Slow cooker apricot chicken
olive oil, for greasing
1-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup firmly packed, roughly chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup soy sauce (I like low sodium)
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup cold water
2 teaspoons corn starch
sliced almonds, for serving, optional

Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with olive (or vegetable) oil. Arrange the chicken on the bottom, sprinkle with a little salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and add in the apricots.

In a bowl, or large glass measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce through corn starch until smooth. Pour over the chicken.

Cook on high for about 4 hours or low for about 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and the sauce is thickened. Check for seasoning.

Serve with rice and vegetables. Top with almonds, if desired.

What was I cooking one year ago?: blueberry oatmeal muffins
Two years ago?: peanut butter banana bread
Three years ago?: banana chocolate chip cake
Four years ago?: cheddar ham & broccoli quinoa casserole
Five?: overnight yeasted waffles
Six?: coconut cream pie
Seven?: pistachio-orange-cardamom shortbread bars
Eight?: sweet & sour acorn squash
9?: Tom Kha Gai