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–+ servings

Apricot Chicken with Drumsticks (Slow Cooker)

Slow cooker apricot chicken with tender drumsticks in a sweet and savoury sauce. A simple, comforting family dinner from the Old-Fashioned Dinners series.
Print Recipe
Apricot chicken served with mashed potatoes and green beans
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:3 hours
Total Time:3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 kg chicken drumsticks
  • ½ tsp oil
  • 2 large onions thinly sliced
  • 2× 410 g cans apricot halves in light syrup
  • 1 packet (32 g) Maggi onion soup seasoning
  • 1½ cups chicken stock or 1½ cups water + 2 Tbsp chicken stock powder
  • 2 Tbsp tomato sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • pinch thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Corn flour slurry (to thicken)

  • 4-6 Tbsp corn flour
  • 4-6 Tbsp water

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat and brown the chicken drumsticks until the skin is golden. Alternatively, cook them in the air fryer at 200°C for 15–16 minutes. This step adds flavour but can be skipped if needed.
  • Add the onions and apricots (with syrup) to the slow cooker then add the onion soup mix and stock. Add the tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Pour in the apple cider vinegar. Then add thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Add the browned chicken drumsticks to the slow cooker, turning to coat in the sauce.
  • Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–5 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Mix the corn flour and water to form a slurry, then stir it into the sauce until thickened.
  • Return the chicken to the slow cooker and coat in the thickened sauce.

Notes

Stacey's Kitchen Tips:
  • Browning the chicken first gives a deeper flavour, but it’s not essential
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or stock
  • Taste before serving and adjust salt if needed
  • Drumsticks stay nice and tender in the slow cooker
 
Variations & Substitutions: 
  • Use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks
  • Swap apricot halves for apricot nectar if preferred
  • Add extra vegetables like carrots or capsicum
  • Use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar if needed
Servings: 4
Author: Farmers Wife Homestead