Two simple ingredients infused together with the help and ease of the slow cooker. Savory and sweet, this applesauce chicken will soon become a family favorite. Paleo and gluten-free with no refined sugars, healthy and simple at it’s best!
No, don’t run! This recipe works, 100%! It’s super delicious, even though it may seem strange. The savory and sweet thing going on here is really a pleasure to the palate! It’s isn’t “sweet” sweet anyway since we’ll be using unsweetened applesauce, so don’t get any dessert sweet nightmares here! I’d never post a recipe that tasted bad…although I tend to like weird things, but my brother ate this one and didn’t complain so I think I found a winner!
I made this recipe back at home during winter break. I was having major cravings for applesauce and thought, “what the heck?! Let’s throw a jar in the slow cooker with some chicken breasts!” Now though, I’m kicking myself for not making homemade applesauce with it. Next time….. But lazy jarred applesauce works totally fine and it just goes with the theme of easy slow cooking!
I guess this isn’t that weird of a combo though. Back in the day when I was a wee-one and still ate pork, I had the combo frequently. My mom would make plain pork chops on the stove and then I would eat them dipped in applesauce. So I guess this is reminiscent of doing that except this is better and more “grown-up” so to speak!
Ah, childhood dinner memories. Like the days when smoothing down your pile of mashed potatoes, making garden rows on top with your fork, and then planting broccoli trees in them! My brother and I got really creative with dinner time. Pastina pies, naming our lima beans after Mystic Knights characters (my mom joined in on this one!), good stuff, but we always ate our food too! Haha! We were not picky eaters!
Anyway, back to this chicken. I also added some simple spices to flavor it up some more. Of course, if you couldn’t already guess, cinnamon is involved! Needless to say, this smelled phenomenal while it was slowly cooking away! In the end, this chicken falls apart, so soft, and such a wonderful unique flavor! If you want the easiest family dinner ready for you on a weeknight, make this! Kids, adults, grandparents…everyone will like it! Especially if you pair it with some mashed potatoes and broccoli trees 😉
Slow Cooker Applesauce Chicken
Ingredients: (serves 4)
+ 2lbs (4 breasts) of Chicken (trimmed and cleaned)
+ 2 Cups of Unsweetened Organic Applesauce (homemade would be awesome!)
+ 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
+ 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
+ 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
+ 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
Directions:
+ Place the chicken in the slow cooker first, then add the applesauce and spices. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or until chicken is done.
I always feel silly posting these “recipes”. I mean, there isn’t much to it! I guess I’m just offering cooking for the non-cooks, but everyone always seems to love an easy, quick, simple dish! Plus, the slow cooker just magically transforms chicken. So here are some words or wisdom: when in chicken-doubt, throw it in the slow cooker!
So tell me:
+ Favorite sweet and savory combo? I always forget that an apple and PB counts as sweet and savory (well I guess that depends on the PB or nut butter you use…but, that’s my vote!)
+ Do you still use the slow cooker/crockpot when the weather warms up? I do, but I will also be obsessed with grilling everything! Last summer was so much fun when I finally learned how to use the grill myself!
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays,Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*
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Diane says
I have some homemade applesuce in the fridge! I’ll get my slow cooker out and give these a try soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Perfect then!
Stephanie says
YUM! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Sherry says
Chicken looks juicy, tender, and flavorful. Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again soon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It was!
Raia says
I love slow-cooker recipes, especially when the outside heat starts kickin’ in. 😉 Thanks so much for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays, Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Right! Perfect for not turning the oven on to bake chicken!
Uplifting Families says
This sounds delicious. I am always looking for new easy recipes. I love my crockpot and need to use it more.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! This can’t be easier!
Elaine@cookinandcraftin.com says
Yummy!! Pinned!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Donna says
I love this! I can even do this one. I use my slow cooker year round.
found you on UNITE
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you try it then Donna! XOXO
Jennifer @ A Hungry Runner says
I never would have thought of using applesauce but it makes total sense! I’m totally doing this. Because, I’m totally okay with using my crock pot year round. Less time for me to stand around a hot stove! 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
And why stop using something that always produces such a yummy outcome 😉
Amiyrah says
This is one of our family’s favorite recipes. I wrote about it a few years ago and still get those “applesauce on chicken? say what?” emails. LOL! So great to see someone else that enjoys the recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s such a great random combo!
Alison says
I love my slow cooker, so handy all year round. Love the idea of this one, chicken and apple do go well together
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is w lovely appliance everyone must have! And yes! They so do! 🙂
She Rocks Fitness says
Who would have thought? I have all the ingredients on hand…I may throw this in the slow cooker tomorrow and use up the rest of the applesauce that is in my fridge, since I don’t know what else to do with it. Thanks for sharing!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha yes! Do it! That’s what happened to me…I had a bunch of applesauce and knew it wouldn’t get finished in time without doing something drastic…like this 😉
All that's Jas says
Interesting combination but sure worth trying. So happy you linked up with us at Thursday Favorite Things. XO
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Give it a go!
Nellie says
Hi Rebecca,
This sounds like a delightful recipe and so easy. I have been cooking for most of my life, and I am 63 now, but for years now, my rule has been, If I can’t make it in 30 mins. I don’t use the recipe. I used to make these recipes that sometimes took hours or the day, and after smelling it all that time, when it came time to eat it……..it was like Yuk or else it wasn’t worth all the time invested, and at my age, easy is wonderful………..cause I have other things I want to
do with my time than cook……….lol
and yes, I do like to use the crock pot at times………..
Also Cracker Barrel restaurants used to make an applefest chicken recipe years ago in the Fall, that was to die for,
so am hoping this tastes like it, cause we had it that one Fall and they never had it again for some reason.
You take care,
Blessings, Nellie
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well, this takes more than 30 minutes.
Nellie says
I guess I really meant prep time……………..not total time………lol
Thanks,
Nellie
Miz Helen says
Your Slow Cooker Applesauce Chicken looks wonderful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Marla says
Hi Rebecca,
This sounds wonderful. I am a chicken lover and this would make a healthy tasty meal. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays Pinned & twitted.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you so much!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I love how simple these are! I bet it would be awesome with pork too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well that’s the idea behind it…but I don’t eat pigs!
Loretta says
Welcome to Fiesta Friday. Wow, a delightful and unusual combination and when I imagine all the flavors together, it does sound pretty darn good. It turned out deliciously moist by the looks of it, and anything in the slow cooker is a bonus isn’t it? Very nice, and thank you for sharing it with the crowd at Fiesta Friday.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It was perfect! The slow cooker sure did it’s magic!
Jennifer Stewart says
This is such an easy recipe and I think my kids will love it! Never thought to put applesauce in the crock pot with the chicken! Brilliant!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They will love! Thank you so much friend!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
This chicken looks so moist and flavorful- yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is! Thank you!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
Always love finding new recipes for my crockpot – I never thought to combine applesauce and chicken before! But sounds like it’ll be delicious 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you so much Chrisy!!
Stephanie Stuart says
Uh yes please?! I never considered applesauce before! What a fantastic recipe and I’m SO DOING THIS
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! I hope you do and let me know! XOXO
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
i cook pork this way all the time! Love it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Right? So chicken would be a fabulous option!
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
This reminds me of the salsa + chicken in crockpot “recipe” that I’ve heard about, just with applesauce instead! I actually love simple meals like this– sometimes, it just gives some inspiration, even if it’s not a complex recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I have slow cooker salsa chicken on the blog 😉 I love just pouring in jars of whatever with chicken! It always works!
Parental Journey says
Hi, I featured your cookie recipe on my blog 🙂 Please check it out and let me know what you think.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Well, I would have thought to do this with pork chops, but NEVER chicken. Why not though? It looks great and you inspired me to give it a whirl.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Exactly! Why not? It’s so yummy!
Nikki Vergakes says
I’m looking for slow cooker recipes for next year for my apartment, I’ll add this to my ever-growing list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You can throw anything in the slow cooker!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
Applesauce chicken? Say WHAT?! I definitely need to give this a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Can’t go wrong with an easy chicken recipe!
Emily says
This looks delicious Rebecca. How do you come up with new recipe ideas?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, it’s SO simple! Thanks Emily!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
I don’t have a grill so I plan to use my slow cooker all through the spring/summer. Especially since turning on the oven would result in wayyyy more heat haha
p.s. def trying this when exams are over. will report back 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yay! I’m looking forward to hearing about it 😉 And….you need a grill! Even a george foreman will do!
Jennifer says
What a good idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Evolve with Mary says
I love strange combinations and this is one strange combination. I can see how applesauce and chicken could go together, I just never thoughts about it. Guess I’ll have to give it a try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
One of those simple things, but it so does work!
vicki @ Five Spot Green Living says
I love sweet and savory! And my kids love applesauce. This recipe sounds like it would be so yummy and crockpot cooking is the best! I have a hard time finding no-fail crockpot recipes but this sounds like one. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Give this one a shot! It really is so super easy! Just applesauce and chicken!
Shauna says
Sounds interesting!! Maybe I can get my husband to try it! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m sure you can 😉
misszippy says
You may feel silly, but I am happy you shared it b/c it’s a combo I would never think of, yet one my kids will love! Thank you.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Awesome!!! This is totally kid approved…and adult 😉 XOXO
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
Yum!! I just did a curry apple chicken in the crock pot and loved the way it turned out. Def trying this next!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well that sounds….even better! Haha! Love everything curry!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I’d never have thought of this! I love pork and applesauce, but for some reason having it with chicken never occurred to me. I’ll have to try it out when I have access to a slow cooker! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Right?! Since I only eat chicken now, it’s the perfect (and better!) substitute!
(I can’t wait to have access to my slow cooker again! Haha!)
Farrah says
Oh hello! <3 I have chicken and applesauce that I've been meaning to use up! Thank you for this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Perfect solution 😉 Haha!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
The sweet and savory combo is a favorite of mine, so I can totally see how this would work!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I never like anything to sweet, and this just fits the bill!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
Absolutely trying this! It looks so easy and my kids already like pork chops with apples so how could they not love this? Perfect for a busy night 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know I liked the combo as a kid! And this is like…better! Haha! I hope you do try it!
Jaelan says
Yum! Looks like an easy dish to throw in the slow cooker when I don’t feel like really cooking. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Exactly! So super easy!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Such a interesting and creative recipe! I would never have though to do this, but why the hell not–we do it with pork, hello.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know right?! That was my thinking! Just make it better with chicken!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
These look delicious! I love simple, healthy crock pot chicken recipes. Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Me too! You can’t go wrong with slow cooker chicken…ever!