5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken is simple to prepare and yields super tender chicken in a sweet and savory sauce that everyone in the family will love.
Well, hello fall!
I’m sort of in denial that summer’s over, but there’s no denying that the season is changing.
Elle’s first day of preschool is today, and the weather is decidedly cold and drizzly.
Between her going back to school and the shift in weather I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit wistful.
We had such a fun together as a family this summer and it’s a bit sad to see it come to an end.
The good thing about the season transition, though, is the food!
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year for so many reasons, with food coming in right at the top of the list.
Apples, pumpkin, winter squash–the fall flavors are some of my favorites and inspire me to get back into the kitchen to create new recipes.
Fall is also slow cooker season for many (every season is slow cooker season to me) and a time to dig into cozy soups, stews, and one-pot wonders.
Plus, if you’re running kids around to activities after school or working long days, the slow cooker becomes absolutely essential!
The Slow Cooker I Use
Here’s the slow cooker (affiliate) I use for all my recipes, this size works great for our family and I love how easy it is to use!
This recipe is all about transitioning into fall with a sweet and savory sauce made of onions, garlic, and rich apple cider.
After a low and slow bath in the delicious sauce, the chicken gets shredded and topped with a crunchy Quick Apple Slaw.
So good!
Our family loves the versatility of pulled chicken, since everyone can enjoy it in their own way.
If you’re going grain-free or low-carb, use it to top greens.
Top a bowl of warm, fluffy quinoa or pile it into a bun.
Allow each family member to customize and everybody’s happy.
I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon, weather the chill of fall is upon you or not.
This one’s good any time of year.
If you make this one, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
Now, let’s make some 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken!
RECIPE & KID-FRIENDLY ADAPTATIONS
1 | Serve over greens, rice, quinoa, baked sweet potato, or piled into whole wheat or gluten-free buns. Top with Quick Apple Slaw.
2 | Serve the shredded chicken plain, with a pinch of salt and the sauce from the slow cooker on the side. Add sliced apple and the Quick Apple Slaw on the side, or swap in a chopped raw veggie of choice.
3 | While apple cider adds the richest flavor for this recipe, apple juice can be used in its place if that’s what you have on hand.
4 | Use pre-bagged slaw mix in place of the cabbage if you’re short on time.
PREP-AHEAD & LEFTOVERS
1 | Store the leftover shredded chicken tightly covered in the fridge for 2-4 days or the freezer for up to 3 months.
2 | Store the Quick Apple Slaw, separately, for up to 3 days. Drain off any extra liquid prior to serving.
THIS RECIPE IS . . .
Dairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreePaleoWhole30
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5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet, crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, very thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- ¾ cup unsweetened apple cider, divided
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the apples and onions in the base of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, tossing to combine.
- Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with an additional ½ teaspoon salt and garlic powder.
- Place the chicken on top of the onion and apple mixture. Pour over ½ cup apple cider. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6, or until the chicken very tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken to a cutting board. Shred with two forks, then place back into the slow cooker, add the remaining ¼ cup apple cider, stirring to combine. Taste and add additional salt or apple cider to taste.
- Serve the Apple Cider Pulled Chicken over greens, rice, quinoa, baked sweet potato, or piled into whole wheat or gluten-free buns. Top with Quick Apple Slaw.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition disclaimerQuick Apple Slaw
Ingredients
- 2 apples, cored and thinly sliced or grated
- 1 scallion, white and green parts, thinly sliced
- 1 small medium Napa or green cabbage, sliced into thin shreds (about 4 cups)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the apples, scallion, cabbage, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and ¼ teaspoons salt. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes for the flavors to combine and the cabbage to wilt, then serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition disclaimerThis post contains affiliate links
Whaaa!? Why have I never thought to add apples to my crockpot chicken? Why is this not on a plate in front of me right now? These are just some of the questions I have. One thing I do know is that this looks AH-MAZING.
You’re too cute! I love apples in everything. I hope you do too and enjoy this one! 🙂
Printing this for my meal plan next week, thank you! Where does one find unsweetened apple cider?
Dawn, great question! Most apple cider is unsweetened, which simply means there is no sugar added. Just check the ingredients, the only thing on the list should be apple cider. 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
We went to an apple orchard this past weekend to pick apples, and I’m still trying to use them! Going on our meal plan for Monday! Yay! Thank you for this!
Perfect timing, Melissa. I hope you and your family enjoys!
Hi Robyn! This looks delicious! I have a question, I’m sorry if you have addressed it elsewhere – I think most of your recipes are written for a 6 qt slow cooker. Would they work in a 4 qt cooker instead? I am thinking of investing in a new slow cooker with fall because I want a programmable one, but would love to know if these will work in my 4 qt in the meantime… Thank you!
Joyce, I haven’t adapted this recipe for a 4-quart, but it should work. It’s really about ratios, so do your best to cut it down by 1/3 (there is a lot of wiggle room with this particular recipe, so it should be fine). Let us know how it turns out! 🙂
Hi Robyn! I have made this recipe and it is deliciou! . I would like to make it for a large group. Is there a way I could double this recipe in a 6qt slow cooker?
Kristin, so glad you enjoyed! I image you could double this recipe in a 6qt slow cooker. You may need to add some additional cook time, and taste for seasoning at the end/adjust as necessary. Let us know how it turns out!
Hi – my kitchen smells great with this cooking. What do you do with the apples and onions at the end of the cooking time?
Kathleen, add the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker, along with the cooked apples, onions, and cooking juices, and stir together. Hope you enjoy!
I made this tonight and my husband and I absolutely loved it!! This is a keeper! I served it on whole grain buns with tomatoes, avocado, radish, cucumber and arugula for adding to the sandwich as well as the yummy slaw! I substituted fennel for the scallion and used 1 cup of green cabbage, 1 cup of purple cabbage, and two cups of jicama and all the rest of the ingredients and the slaw was delish! Thank you so much for this healthy and yummy recipe!!
Sounds lovely–love all the tasty veggie additions. So glad you enjoyed!
Hi! This looks delicious! I’m making this for dinner tomorrow evening- but purchased enough ingredients for 2 batches. Would you recommend freezing this in the raw form or cooking it first?
Hi Jodi, I think this one freezes best after it’s cooked. Hope you enjoy!
Is there a printable version??
Yep, it’s right there in the post.
How do you print?
Hi Hayley, there’s a print button right under the recipe.