Are you ready to elevate your dinner game with a dish that’s as comforting as it is healthy? Dive into the world of "Easy Healthy Slow Cooker Cider Braised Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes and Sage," a recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds while keeping your health in check! Imagine tender, juicy chicken thighs braised in rich apple cider, paired with sweet, creamy sweet potatoes and aromatic sage—all effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker. Whether you’re a busy parent or simply looking for a hassle-free meal, this recipe is your ticket to a delicious, home-cooked feast. Let’s get cooking!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by thoroughly washing and patting chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season chicken thighs generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
- Peel sweet potatoes and cut into approximately 1-inch cubed pieces. Chop the onion into medium-sized dice, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Lightly grease the interior of your slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking. This will make cleanup easier later.
- Layer chopped onions at the bottom of the slow cooker as a flavorful base for the chicken and sweet potatoes.
- Arrange chicken thighs on top of the onions, ensuring they are not overlapping to promote even cooking and allow proper heat circulation.
- Distribute sweet potato cubes around and between the chicken thighs, filling empty spaces in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped sage evenly over the chicken and vegetables, which will infuse a warm, earthy flavor throughout the dish.
- Pour apple cider slowly over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring it covers approximately one-third to one-half of the ingredients.
- Cover slow cooker and set to low heat setting. Cook for 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and flavors to meld together.
- After cooking time is complete, carefully remove chicken thighs and check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Optional: For crispy skin, transfer chicken thighs to a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes until skin becomes golden and slightly crisp.
- Serve chicken thighs with sweet potatoes, spooning additional cooking liquid over the dish for extra moisture and flavor.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can prepare your ingredients the night before. Chop the onions and sweet potatoes, and season the chicken thighs so they’re ready to go in the morning.
- Layer for Flavor: Always start with a layer of onions at the bottom of the slow cooker. This not only adds flavor but also prevents the chicken from sticking to the bottom.
- Don’t Overlap: When placing the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, ensure they’re arranged without overlapping. This allows for even cooking and helps the chicken absorb all the delicious flavors.
- Adjust Liquid Levels: Depending on your slow cooker, you may need to adjust the amount of apple cider. Aim for enough liquid to cover about one-third of the ingredients to ensure the dish remains moist.
- Crispy Skin Option: If you love crispy skin, broil the chicken thighs for a few minutes after slow cooking. This will give them a beautiful golden finish!
- Serve with Flair: When serving, spoon some of the cooking liquid over the chicken and sweet potatoes for added moisture and flavor. Garnish with extra sage for a pop of color and freshness.
- Leftover Magic: This dish makes for fantastic leftovers! Store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge, and enjoy the flavors even more the next day.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 140mg
