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Healthy Crockpot Chicken & Apple Cider Stew: Easy Fall Dinner

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A cozy, healthy fall stew made with tender chicken, apples, and apple cider, slow-cooked to perfection. This easy crockpot recipe is a comforting and delicious dinner that fills your home with amazing aroma.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups (475ml) apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for slurry)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice the onion, chop the carrots and celery, peel and chop the apples, and mince the garlic. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Layer the flavor: Place the diced onion, carrots, celery, and apples in the bottom of the crockpot. Scatter the minced garlic and fresh thyme over the vegetables.
  3. Add the chicken: Lay the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the vegetables in a single layer. Nestle the bay leaf in between the pieces.
  4. Pour in the liquid: In a measuring cup, whisk together the apple cider and chicken broth. Pour gently over the chicken and vegetables.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Do not lift the lid during cooking.
  6. Shred the chicken: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the crockpot. Discard the bay leaf. Stir to combine.
  7. Thicken the stew (optional): If desired, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Turn crockpot to HIGH, stir in slurry, and cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes until thickened.
  8. Final taste and serve: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot in bowls.

Notes

For best results, use chicken thighs instead of breasts to prevent dryness. Taste your apple cider before adding; a well-balanced cider yields the best flavor. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain heat. The stew can be made in a Dutch oven on the stovetop or in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 2.5 hours if you don’t have a crockpot.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken stew, apple cider stew, healthy fall dinner, slow cooker chicken, easy stew recipe, chicken and apple stew

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/healthy-crockpot-chicken-and-apple-cider-stew-easy-fall-dinner/