Flavorful Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken
A tender, slow-cooked chicken dish featuring a sweet and tart apple cider glaze. This easy 5-ingredient meal is perfect for busy weeknights and captures the cozy flavors of autumn.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 to 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup 100% pure apple cider
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Trim any excess fat or tendons. Place chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together apple cider, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until sugar is mostly dissolved. Pour mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily.
- Remove chicken from the pot and shred using two forks.
- Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until reduced by half and thickened.
- Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker, pour the reduced sauce over it, and toss to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not use apple juice as it lacks the tartness of cider. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne. If the sauce is too thin, use a cornstarch slurry. The chicken can be cooked on high for 3-4 hours if short on time, but low and slow yields better texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, apple cider chicken, pulled chicken, fall recipes, easy dinner, gluten-free, dairy-free, comfort food