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Warm crockpot filled with sliced apples, cinnamon sticks, and bubbling brown sugar sauce, creating a cozy fall aroma in a rustic kitchen

This cozy fall crockpot recipe fills your kitchen with warm, spicy aromas while delivering ultra-tender chicken, sweet potatoes, and apples in a maple-cider gravy. A comforting, set-it-and-forget-it dinner that feels like a warm hug.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 370
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 crisp apples, cored and sliced (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tbsp cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
  • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • measuring spoons and cups

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken dry and season with 1 tsp salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to lock in flavor.
  2. Layer sliced onions, apples, and sweet potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle with remaining salt, thyme, cinnamon, and garlic.
  3. Whisk together the apple cider, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and cider vinegar. Pour over the veggie mixture.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top without fully submerging them.
  5. Cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender and sweet potatoes are soft.
  6. (Optional) Thicken the sauce by whisking cornstarch with cold water, stirring into 1 cup hot liquid, then returning to slow cooker. Switch to High for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Stir in butter if desired.
  7. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or grains.

Notes

Make it creamy by adding coconut milk or heavy cream at the end. Swap chicken for pork shoulder or chickpeas for different versions. Don’t skip seasoning the chicken before cooking—it makes all the difference. Prep ahead and freeze ingredients (except slurry) for a make-ahead meal.