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When fall rolls around, I can’t resist one-pot meals that fill the house with warmth and comfort. This easy slow cooker chicken thigh recipe with sweet potatoes, apples, and sage is my shortcut version of a more involved cider-braised dish. Instead of browning and braising on the stovetop, everything goes straight into the Crock Pot—and a few hours later, dinner is ready.
The result? Tender chicken, sweet potatoes that soak up all the savory cider broth, and just the right balance of cozy fall flavors. It’s a WW-friendly comfort meal you will want to make again and again.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- WW Points and Nutrition
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Recipe Notes and Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage and Leftovers
- Easy Slow Cooker Cider-Braised Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes & Sage Recipe
- More Easy Healthy CrockPot Chicken Recipes
- Discover More Easy WW-Friendly Recipes
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken thighs — Skinless chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful. You can also use chicken drumsticks or bone-in chicken breasts (adjust cooking time).
- Sweet potatoes — Add natural sweetness and heartiness. Butternut squash or carrots make good alternatives.
- Shallots — Mild, slightly sweet onion flavor. Swap with yellow onion if that’s what you have.
- Garlic — Freshly pressed adds depth; garlic powder/granulated garlic works in a pinch.
- Chicken broth — Reduced-sodium broth keeps the dish lighter; vegetable broth (affiliate link) works too.
- Apple cider — Adds sweetness and fall flavor. Unsweetened apple juice can substitute.
- Cider vinegar — Balances the sweetness; white wine vinegar also works.
- Dried thyme and sage — Earthy herbs that pair perfectly with chicken and sweet potatoes. Use double the amount if using fresh herbs.
- Salt and pepper — Adjust to taste.
WW Points and Nutrition
- According to my calculations, each serving (1 chicken thigh and about 3/4 cup sweet potato-shallot mixture) has about:
Calories: 344 - WW Points
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) - Old WW Points: 8 PointsPlus
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Sprinkle chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Layer them in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Step 2: Add Vegetables
Place cubed sweet potatoes and sliced shallots on top of the chicken.
Step 3: Mix and Pour the Broth
In a measuring cup, stir together garlic, broth, cider, vinegar, thyme, sage, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Pour evenly over chicken and vegetables.
Step 4: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3½–4 hours, until chicken is fully cooked and sweet potatoes are tender.
Step 5: Adjust and Serve
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. I like adding a splash of vinegar before serving to brighten the flavors.
Recipe Notes and Variations
- Cooking times may vary — Every slow cooker is a little different. Check for tender chicken and sweet potatoes before serving.
- Use fresh herbs if possible — Double the amount if swapping dried for fresh thyme and sage.
- Don’t overcook the sweet potatoes — They’ll get mushy if left too long, but still delicious!
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a crusty baguette to soak up the sauce.
- Add a simple green salad for freshness.
- For extra veggies, stir in fresh spinach or kale during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Storage and Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave (affiliate link), adding a splash of broth if needed.
If you’ve made this Slow Cooked Cider-Braised Chicken, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Slow Cooker Cider-Braised Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes & Sage
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1-1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 8 large shallots, peeled and thickly sliced
- 1 large garlic clove, pressed
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
Instructions
- Ideal slow cooker size: 4-Quart.
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Layer the seasoned chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Add the sweet potatoes and shallots on top of the chicken.
- In bowl or measuring cup, stir together the garlic, chicken broth, apple cider, vinegar, thyme, sage and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pour over the vegetables and chicken.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for about 3-1/2 hours, or on LOW for about 6 hours. (Mine was done after about 4 hours on high, so I switched my slow cooker to warm until we were ready to eat.)
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings. I added a little more salt, pepper and another teaspoon of vinegar at the end to liven it up.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 8 PointsPlus (Old plan) Because of the temperature differences among slow cookers, your cooking times may be different. You’ll know this dish is ready, when the meat and sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork or knife.
If you cook it too long, your sweet potatoes will get mushy, not a terrible thing! The original recipe called for fresh sage and thyme, but since I only had dried I used them instead. If you do use fresh, which would be delicious, you’ll want to increase the amounts to about 2 teaspoons of each.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Easy Healthy CrockPot Chicken Recipes
If you like this cider braised chicken thighs recipe, you might also like these WW friendly slow cooker chicken recipes:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Beer and Herbes de Provence — rustic French-inspired flavors in the Crock Pot.
- Slow Cooker Chicken with Gravy — pure comfort food, perfect with mashed potatoes.
- Cheesy Crock Pot Southwestern Chicken — bold, zesty flavors with minimal effort.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore — a lighter spin on the Italian classic.
Discover More Easy WW-Friendly Recipes
This WW-friendly cider-braised chicken and sweet potato recipe is proof that comfort food can be both light and satisfying. With just a few simple ingredients and your slow cooker, you can serve a cozy fall dinner that feels special — without the extra work.
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