So, apple balsamic chicken crock pot dinners. Ever get that holiday panic where you want something festive for the family (or even just yourself), but also… zero interest in fussing? I know that feeling. It’s like your brain is shouting: “I need an easy win!” That’s why I started making this. Seriously, you just toss it together and it tastes like you belong in a five-star restaurant. Plus, your house will smell freakin’ amazing. 
Flavor Combo That Works for the Holidays
Here’s the thing about apple balsamic chicken crock pot recipes: the blend of sweet, tangy, and a little earthiness just screams “holiday” to me. Apples bring this juicy sweetness that kind of melts into the chicken as it cooks. The balsamic is there for tang—zippy and delicious.
Don’t worry, it’s not fancy in that intimidating kind of way. Trust me, my first try was basically me digging around my fridge for whatever fruit I had. Next thing I know, everything came together perfectly. Now my holiday guests keep asking for this (even the picky ones. You know who you are). If you want more cozy dinner ideas, check out these 3 ingredient chicken dump go crock pot dinner recipes, too. 
“This is my go-to holiday dinner now! I never believed something in the slow cooker could have this much flavor, but it’s a winner every single time!” – Jamie R.
What You’ll Need
For this apple balsamic chicken crock pot recipe, you really only need simple stuff, nothing wild:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (I use thighs, honestly—way juicier)
- One or two apples (crisp kinds like Honeycrisp or Gala work best)
- Balsamic vinegar
- Chicken broth
- Honey or brown sugar (for a little boost of sweetness)
- Onion
- Garlic (just a couple cloves, unless you insist on more)
- Salt, pepper, a dash of dried thyme or rosemary (fresh works if you’ve got it)
If you don’t have apples, pears will do in a pinch, though it changes the flavor vibe. My point is, don’t sweat it if your produce situation is weird around the holidays. 
How to Assemble and Cook in the Crockpot
All right, let’s get into it. Apple balsamic chicken crock pot magic starts out so simple you’ll wonder if you missed a step. Layer those onions and apples in the bottom. Lay the chicken right on top. Sprinkle your salt, pepper, and herbs. Pour the balsamic vinegar, honey, and broth all over—real casual, no need to measure so precisely unless you love dirtying extra spoons.
Pop the lid on. Set it to low and let that thing cook for five to six hours. Basically, till the chicken is shreddable with a fork and those apples are practically melting. (Feel free to peek in – I do. Can’t resist.) For folks who love cozy low-carb meals, give this cauliflower rice chicken low carb crock pot meal a glance, too.
Thicken Sauce for Serving
Let’s be honest, nothing ruins a fun dinner like runny sauce sliding everywhere. The good news? You can thicken it up, easy. Once the apple balsamic chicken crock pot meal is cooked, take the chicken out – set it aside. Turn the crockpot to high. Stir in a cornstarch slurry (just a spoonful of cornstarch mixed with cold water does the trick).
Let it bubble for a few minutes with the lid off. If you want a silker, rich sauce, add a little pat of butter at the end. That’s it. Spoon it right over the chicken when you serve and trust me, folks will be sopping it up with everything on the plate.
Pairings Like Potatoes or Veggies
Let’s talk what goes best under (or beside) that apple balsamic chicken crock pot main event. Here’s a few easy winners:
- Fluffy mashed potatoes (try red potatoes for something a bit more hearty)
- Roasted green beans or honey-glazed carrots (hello, color)
- Crusty bread for dipping (nobody’s mad about extra sauce, trust me)
- A bright, little salad if you crave crunch
Honestly? I’ve even mixed leftovers straight into a bowl of rice. Lazy, but hits the spot.
Make Ahead & Freeze Options
If your holiday season looks like mine (read: total chaos), I’ve got news. Apple balsamic chicken crock pot recipes freeze like a dream—either before or after cooking. You can pop all your ingredients (minus broth) in a big freezer bag, push the air out, and freeze. When you’re ready, just dump it into the pot, add broth, and carry on as usual.
Already cooked it? Shred the chicken in the sauce and freeze that way, too. Defrost, warm in a saucepan or microwave, and nobody will know you didn’t do all that work today. I usually keep a backup batch for last-minute family pop-ins. You’ll look like a rock star—or at least like someone who has their life figured out (joke’s on them).
Common Questions
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yep, but thaw it first if you want the sauce to thicken better. Frozen chicken can water things down a bit.
Q: What kind of apples should I use?
A: Firm, sweet-tart kinds—think Honeycrisp or Gala. But honestly, it’s flexible. Just skip mealy ones.
Q: Can I use other meats?
A: Sure, pork tenderloin works great. Just adjust the cooking time so it stays juicy.
Q: Do I have to peel the apples?
A: Nope! The skins soften up nicely, and I actually think it adds a rustic touch.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Absolutely. Just layer everything in thicker, or use a giant slow cooker.
Why This Slow Cooker Star Will Save Your Holidays
So, to wrap it up, apple balsamic chicken crock pot dinners are just unbeatable when holiday chaos sets in. Short ingredient list, hardly any prep, and an explosion of cozy flavors. You end up with something special, but still have the energy (and time) left to enjoy your people.
Try it with your own spin, or check out this Crock Pot Apple Balsamic Chicken – Crock Pot Chicken Recipe for more inspiration. If this recipe gets you excited about crockpot magic, you’d probably love my personal fave: creamy garlic chicken crock pot recipe or these easy crockpot chicken and potatoes for another night.
Gather your apples and give this a shot. Bet you get more compliments than you’d expect—and probably more requests for the recipe, too. Happy holidays, and good luck out there in the kitchen! 
Apple Balsamic Chicken Crock Pot
- Total Time: 375 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A festive and easy apple balsamic chicken recipe made in the crock pot, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1–2 Apples (Honeycrisp or Gala)
- 1/2 cup Balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Honey or brown sugar
- 1 Onion, sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Dried thyme or rosemary, a dash
Instructions
- Layer the onions and apples in the bottom of the crock pot.
- Place the chicken on top of the onions and apples.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Pour balsamic vinegar, honey, and chicken broth over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours until chicken is tender and shreddable.
- Remove the chicken and turn the crock pot to high.
- Stir in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
- Let it bubble for a few minutes, adding a pat of butter if desired.
- Serve the thickened sauce over the chicken.
Notes
This recipe freezes well, both before and after cooking. Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 360 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
