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These slow cooker apricot chicken thighs were a very pleasant surprise. I have seen the recipe in various cookbooks and online for years, but was never willing to try it.
The ingredients—apricot preserves, Catalina dressing and dry onion soup mix—just seemed kinda weird to me. Late last week I decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try.
Cooking Notes
I modified a few things to make this version of slow cooker apricot chicken thighs more Weight Watchers friendly.
I cut way back on the sauce ingredients which still provided more than enough for six chicken thighs. And I added a little tapioca, my secret slow cooker sauce thickening ingredient.
Peter arrived just as I was turning on the crock pot. He made a funny face when I told him what I was cooking. But, by the time he left, he commented that it smelled pretty darn good.
And I asked Rod if I could quote him here, when he said they were “really, really, really good!”
Needless to say, I will definitely make these slow cooker apricot chicken thighs again.
The recipe specifies 5-ounce boneless skinless chicken thighs. I’ve noticed many that I’ve been buying recently are much larger—up to 8 ounces—which may take a little longer to cook. If this is a concern, I’d suggest cutting them in half.
How Many Calories and WW Points in Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken?
According to my calculations, each serving has about 239 calories.
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.)
8 SmartPoints (Green plan)
8 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
8 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
6 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- If you don’t have apricot preserves, peach, pineapple or orange marmalade should work.
- If you don’t have Catalina dressing, substitute any spicy tangy dressing of your choice.
- If you don’t have tapioca, you can thicken your sauce at the end by combining 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water, stirring it into the sauce and letting it cook on High for 10 to 15 minutes until thickened.
- If you don’t have chicken thighs, you can use chicken breasts, but be sure to check them at 4 hours so they don’t get dried out.
- If you don’t have dry onion soup mix, use 1 tablespoons dried onion flakes and 1 teaspoon garlic salt instead.
If you’ve made this low fat Crock Pot Apricot 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.
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 5 ounces each)
- 1/2 cup fat free Catalina dressing (the spicy orange kind)
- 1/2 cup Apricot fruit spread
- 2 tablespoons instant tapioca
- 1/2 package dry onion soup mix (1-1/2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Ideal Slow Cooker Size: 2- to 3-Quart.
- Grease the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray.
- Season your chicken thighs with salt and pepper, if desired, then place them in the slow cooker.
- Mix together the dressing, fruit spread, tapioca and dry onion soup mix until well blended. Pour it over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken thighs are cooked and tender when pierced with a fork.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 8 SmartPoints (Green plan) 8 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 8 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 6 PointsPlus (Old plan) Variations and Substitutions:
- If you don’t have apricot preserves, peach, pineapple or orange marmalade should work.
- If you don’t have Catalina dressing, substitute any spicy tangy dressing of your choice.
- If you don’t have tapioca, you can thicken your sauce at the end by combining 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water, stirring it into the sauce and letting it cook on High for 10 to 15 minutes until thickened.
- If you don’t have chicken thighs, you can use chicken breasts, but be sure to check them at 4 hours so they don’t get dried out.
- If you don’t have dry onion soup mix, use 1 tablespoons dried onion flakes and 1 teaspoon garlic salt instead.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: adapted from Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes (affiliate link) by Phyllis Good
It shows the points plus points but not the smart points.
Made this dish yesterday as family member on WW. I must must say this recipe was really excellent. Chicken was moist and sauce rocked. I didn’t add thickening agent and it still was great. Leftovers chicken will be shredded with a little sauce on a a lavash bread for another low-cal lunch. Keep up the good work
Cheryl,
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. I really really appreciate it!!
Martha, hope this comment finds you doing well! I love your recipes, it is absolute a delight to get them. I have been fixing them and you go the extra mile to explain. Thank you!
Thanks, Janice. I so appreciate you taking the time to leave me such a thoughtful comment and am soooo glad to hear that you are enjoying the recipes!!