Easy Slow Cooker Amish Apricot Chicken Recipe (3 Ingredients)

If you love easy dinners that practically cook themselves, this slow cooker Amish apricot chicken recipe is about to become one of your favorite weeknight meals. With only three simple ingredients, this cozy comfort food delivers big flavor with almost no effort. It’s sweet, savory, tender, and perfect for busy families looking for a quick dinner that still tastes homemade.

This recipe reminds me of those classic church cookbook meals that always showed up at potlucks and family gatherings. The kind of dish that doesn’t look fancy but somehow disappears first from the buffet table. The apricot preserves melt into a glossy sauce while the onion soup mix adds rich, savory depth that balances the sweetness perfectly.

The best part? You can toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a warm, comforting meal waiting for you. It’s ideal for meal prep, hectic schedules, and anyone craving an easy recipe without a long ingredient list.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Only 3 ingredients and almost zero prep work
• Perfect easy dinner for busy weeknights
• Sweet and savory flavor the whole family loves
• Great for meal prep and leftovers
• Budget-friendly comfort food with pantry staples

Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Amish Apricot Chicken

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 cups apricot preserves
• 1 packet (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix

Directions

Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of your slow cooker. It’s fine if they overlap slightly, but try not to stack them too high so they cook evenly.

Chicken breasts arranged in a slow cooker

In a small bowl, stir together the apricot preserves and the dry onion soup mix until mostly combined. You’ll have a thick, chunky sauce—that’s exactly what you want.

Pour the apricot preserve mixture evenly over the raw chicken breasts in the slow cooker, making sure each piece is coated. Use a spatula or spoon to spread the mixture if needed so the chicken is mostly covered.

Apricot sauce being spooned over chicken in the slow cooker

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds or slices with a fork. The sauce will thin out as it cooks and mingle with the chicken juices.

Once cooked, taste the sauce and adjust if needed with a pinch of salt or a splash of water if you’d like it a little looser. For a thicker, more glaze-like sauce, switch the slow cooker to WARM, slightly crack the lid, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cooked apricot chicken in the slow cooker with glossy sauce

Serve the apricot chicken whole or shredded, spooning plenty of the sweet-savory sauce over the top. Pair with rice, noodles, or your favorite simple sides, and watch it disappear.

Is This Recipe Healthy?

This Amish apricot chicken can absolutely fit into a balanced diet when served with healthy side dishes like steamed vegetables, brown rice, or a fresh salad. Chicken breasts are naturally high in protein and relatively low in fat, making this a satisfying high protein meal option for busy nights.

While apricot preserves add sugar to the recipe, the overall meal can still work well for portion-conscious eating when paired with fiber-rich sides. Choosing low-sodium onion soup mix can also help reduce sodium levels.

If you’re focused on healthy eating or meal prep, try serving smaller portions over cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables for a lighter dinner option.

Calories & Nutrition

Estimated nutrition per serving:

• Calories: 390–450
• Protein: 35–40g
• Carbohydrates: 28–35g
• Fat: 6–9g
• Sugar: 22–28g
• Sodium: Varies depending on soup mix used

This recipe is naturally high in protein and very filling, making it a great comfort food dinner that keeps you satisfied.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Don’t Overcook the Chicken

Chicken breasts can dry out if cooked too long. Start checking for doneness near the lower end of the cooking time.

Use Quality Preserves

A good apricot preserve gives the sauce a richer, fruitier flavor. Chunky preserves work especially well.

Let the Sauce Thicken

Leaving the lid slightly cracked on WARM helps create a thicker glaze-like sauce.

Shred for Meal Prep

Shredded apricot chicken works beautifully in rice bowls, wraps, sandwiches, or even lettuce cups.

Add Vegetables

You can easily bulk up the meal with carrots, onions, bell peppers, or green beans added during cooking.

Variations & Substitutions

One reason this easy recipe is so popular is how flexible it is.

Use Chicken Thighs

Boneless skinless chicken thighs stay extra juicy and tender in the slow cooker.

Add Some Heat

Mix in crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for sweet-and-spicy flavor.

Make It Less Sweet

Replace part of the apricot preserves with chicken broth for a more savory sauce.

Try Dijon Mustard

Swapping the onion soup mix for Dijon mustard creates a tangy apricot glaze.

Lower the Sodium

Use reduced-sodium soup mix and avoid adding extra salt until serving.

Best Side Dishes for Apricot Chicken

This sweet and savory slow cooker chicken pairs well with simple sides that soak up the sauce.

Popular serving ideas include:

• White rice
• Buttered egg noodles
• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted broccoli
• Green beans
• Garden salad
• Dinner rolls
• Steamed carrots

For a healthier dinner, serve it with brown rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.

Meal Prep & Storage Tips

This recipe is excellent for meal prep because the flavors deepen overnight.

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze cooked chicken and sauce for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth if needed.

Can You Freeze It Before Cooking?

Yes! This is one of the easiest freezer dump meals you can make.

Simply combine:

• Raw chicken
• Apricot preserves
• Onion soup mix

Place everything in a freezer-safe bag and freeze flat. Thaw overnight before cooking in the slow cooker.

This is a fantastic make-ahead dinner for busy families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes. It reheats beautifully and works great for meal prep lunches and dinners.

Is this recipe healthy?

It can be part of a balanced meal, especially when paired with vegetables and healthy sides.

Can I use frozen chicken?

For food safety, it’s best to thaw chicken before slow cooking.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze apricot chicken?

Absolutely. Both cooked and uncooked versions freeze very well.

You May Also Like

• Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
• Creamy Crockpot Ranch Chicken
• Amish Chicken and Noodles
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
• Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice
• Sweet Hawaiian Chicken Bowls

Final Thoughts

There’s something comforting about recipes like this slow cooker Amish apricot chicken. They remind us that delicious home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just three ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you get a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that tastes like you spent all day cooking.

Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight, Sunday supper, or weekly meal prep, this easy recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.