The Ultimate SetandForget Crockpot Cider Sage Pulled Chicken

The Ultimate Setandforget Crockpot Cider Sage Pu

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:03 Hrs

Servings:4 generous servings

Ingredients:

• lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• large yellow onion, roughly chopped
• cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cups dry hard apple cider
• Tbsp fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped
• tsp dried thyme
• Tbsp Dijon mustard
• tsp garlic powder
• tsp salt
• /2 tsp black pepper
• large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and cubed
• Tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• /4 cup whole or 2% milk, slightly warmed

Instructions:

• Optional: Quickly sear the chicken breasts in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side to develop colour.
• Place the chopped onion into the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
• Arrange the chicken breasts evenly over the onions.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, hard cider, Dijon mustard, sage, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Pour the liquid mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged.
• Cover the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is easily shredded.
• During the last hour of cooking, place cubed sweet potatoes in a saucepan, cover with salted water, bring to a boil, and cook until fork-tender (about 15-20 minutes). Drain well.
• Return the drained potatoes to the hot pot. Add cold butter and slightly warmed milk. Mash until smooth and creamy; season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.
• Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat finely.
• If the remaining liquid seems too thin, remove 1 cup of liquid and simmer rapidly in a small saucepan until reduced by half, or thicken in the slow cooker using a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water).
• Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker and toss to coat thoroughly.
• Serve the cider-sage pulled chicken piled high over a generous portion of the sweet potato mash.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450 Cal

Protein:55g

Fat:10g

Carbs:30g

Fiber:6g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

The Cosy Kitchen Chronicles: Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Will Be Your New Best Mate

Right, listen up. If you’ve ever stood staring into your fridge at 5 PM, utterly defeated by the thought of cooking, I feel you. It’s that time of year now, isn't it? The evenings draw in, and all you want is something proper warming. That’s where this gorgeous Crockpot Fall Dinners recipe comes swooping in to save the day.

The Magic of Autumn Flavour, Zero Effort

I’m talking about chicken so tender it practically melts before it hits your fork. We’re using hard cider here, folks, which sounds fancy, but trust me, it’s dead easy. The sharp, slightly sweet tang of the cider, combined with earthy sage, creates an aroma that will make your neighbours think you’ve been cooking all day. This is exactly the kind of Easy Slow Cooker Fall Chicken Recipe you need right now.

What You’re Really Asking About

I know what’s going through your head when you search for these kinds of meals. First: "Is it actually going to taste good, or just wet?" Second: "Can I really do this after a long shift?" And third: "How do I make this a proper meal?" Fear not. This recipe handles the moisture beautifully by slightly reducing the sauce, and it’s arguably easier than making a cup of tea. Unlike some of those watery competitors out there, we are building flavour from the bottom up, ensuring this Slow Cooker Chicken is rich and robust.

Prep Time? More Like "Pour Time"

Honestly, the prep is minimal, which is the joy of Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Dinners . You’re chopping an onion and dumping things in a pot. Seriously, that’s most of it. We want maximum flavour payoff for minimum graft—that’s the mantra for Crockpot Chicken and Apple Cider recipes.

Building Your Comfort Base

We start by layering. I always toss my onions in the bottom of the Crockpot first. It stops the chicken from sticking, which is a small win, but a win nonetheless. Then, the chicken goes on top. Now for the liquid base: that cider, some stock, a dollop of Dijon (essential for cutting through the richness), and a good pinch of sage. My one big lesson learned? Don't skimp on the sage; it’s the star of the autumnal show here.

The Long, Slow, Happy Wait

Once it’s all loaded up, you close the lid and walk away. We’re aiming for 6– 8 hours on Low . This low and slow environment is what turns a tough chicken breast into something divine. While that’s happening, we’ll blitz up some simple sweet potato mash. The natural sweetness of the potato is the perfect foil for the savoury, slightly boozy sauce on that Slow Cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato creation. When that aroma starts drifting through the house, you’ll know you’ve nailed one of the best Slow Cooker Meals Healthy options available. That is pure, unadulterated autumn bliss right there.

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Right then, let's get cooking! As a chef, I know that the beauty of autumn cooking lies in deep, comforting flavours and, crucially, making life easier when the days start drawing in. The slow cooker (or Crockpot, as many of us affectionately call it) is our best mate when we fancy something hearty without spending all evening chained to the hob.

For this recipe outline, we’re diving headfirst into classic autumnal comfort. Forget slaving over a hot oven; this is set-it-and-forget-it brilliance. If you’re after truly brilliant Crockpot Fall Dinners , you’ve landed in the right spot. This Easy Slow Cooker Fall Chicken Recipe is the ticket.

Here is the framework for a sensational, fuss-free slow cooker masterpiece.

Core Shopping List

When you’re standing in the supermarket, remember that quality is king, especially with meat. We need about 2 lbs (900g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Make sure they aren't swimming in water; drier is better if you can manage it. For the apples, we want a dry hard cider —think crisp, not sweet like fizzy pop. If you can find a local craft one, even better! A cheap lager won't cut it here; the flavour profile relies on that sharp apple tang. For the mash, grab large, bright orange sweet potatoes—the deeper the colour, the sweeter the flavour. Don't stress about the brand of Dijon; any standard jar will do the job nicely.

Flavour Architecture: Building Depth

This is where the magic happens, turning simple chicken into something you’d happily serve up for Sunday lunch. The sage and thyme are our earthy base notes, providing that quintessential autumnal aroma. The Dijon mustard isn't there to make it taste like a French bistro; it’s an emufier and a flavour brightener that cuts through the richness. Garlic powder is a trusty friend for consistent background flavour in a slow cooker.

If you run out of fresh sage? No sweat. Use 1 teaspoon of dried sage instead of the 1 tablespoon fresh. If you don't have thyme, a pinch of dried rosemary works wonders, though it’s a bit more assertive. My original tip? Throw in one small bay leaf with the liquid. I learned that trick from an old school canteen cook; it adds a subtle, savoury lift to any Slow Cooker Chicken dish. This robust mix ensures we get that glorious Slow Cooker Chicken Sweet Potato flavour combo everyone loves.

Equipment & Mise en Place

You absolutely need your Crockpot —anything 4-quart or bigger will be perfect for this batch of Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Dinners . If you have a skillet, great, use it for a quick sear, but if not, bung the raw chicken straight in. Seriously. The meat will still be tender. For the mash, if you don't have a masher, grab an electric hand mixer or even a sturdy balloon whisk—just be ready for a bit of arm work!

The key mise en place tip? Chop all your onions and measure all your spices into little bowls (or ramekins, if you’re feeling fancy) before you even touch the chicken. This way, when it’s time to pour that liquid over, everything is ready to go, and you aren't faffing about looking for the thyme while your slow cooker warms up. Trust me, preparing everything upfront makes a massive difference, especially when making Slow Cooker Meals Healthy without rushing. This is the essence of a brilliant Sage and Cider Pulled Chicken Forget It Crockpot Di .

Right then, let's get cooking! As a chef, I know that the beauty of autumn cooking lies in deep, comforting flavours and, crucially, making life easier when the days start drawing in. The slow cooker (or Crockpot, as many of us affectionately call it) is our best mate when we fancy something hearty without spending all evening chained to the hob. This recipe for Crockpot Fall Dinners is going to sort you right out.

For this recipe outline, we’re diving headfirst into classic autumnal comfort. Forget slaving over a hot oven; this is set-it-and-forget-it brilliance. If you’re looking for Easy Slow Cooker Fall Chicken Recipe inspiration that’s genuinely good, stick around.

Here is the framework for a sensational, fuss-free slow cooker masterpiece.

The Ultimate "Set-and-Forget" Crockpot Cider & Sage Pulled Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash

This dish captures the very essence of a crisp British autumn evening. Tender, succulent chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a fragrant broth of sharp, slightly sweet hard cider, earthy sage, and a whisper of mustard. The result is meat that shreds like a dream, perfect piled high over a velvety, naturally sweet potato mash. It’s wholesome, deeply flavourful, and requires minimal effort—a true hero that tastes like a Sunday roast without the fuss. Honestly, this is one of my favourite Slow Cooker Meals Healthy options when the weather turns.

Difficulty? Easy. This is peak beginner territory! The only "technique" is shredding the chicken at the end. Prep time is about 20 minutes; cooking is passive—you can get the gardening done or finally finish that box set.

Before You Cook

Look, I know some rival bloggers bang on about searing the meat for ages. Yes, it adds flavour, but if you’re chucking this in at 8 AM hoping for dinner at 5 PM, just skip it. The key to great Crockpot Pulled Chicken with Cider is layering those aromatics right. Don’t just dump everything in. Put the onions first at the bottom to create a little cushion. My big pitfall when I first started? Using cheap cider—it tasted flat. Always go for a decent, slightly dry craft cider; it makes a huge difference to the final depth of flavour in this Crockpot Chicken Apple Cider magic.

Guided Cooking Sequence

1. Prep the Base: Chop your onion roughly and lay it gently in the bottom of the pot. Nestle those chicken breasts on top.
2. Whisk the Good Stuff: In a jug, whisk your broth, cider, mustard, sage, thyme, and spices. Get that whisk action going—you want it incorporated!
3. Cook Low and Slow: Cover it up. You are aiming for LOW for 6– 8 hours . I used to rush this on High, but trust me, Low gives you that melt-in-the-mouth texture that makes this Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Dinners truly special. If you can only do High, stick rigidly to 3– 4 hours max .
4. The Mash Timing: Start your sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed!) about an hour before the chicken is due. Boil them until they are mushy tender, drain them properly—we don't want watery mash—then add cold butter and warm milk. Taste it! Potatoes are sponges for salt.

My main piece of advice here? Don't open the lid constantly to check! Every time you lift that lid, you lose about 20 minutes of cooking heat. Leave it be! This forms the foundation for beautiful Slow Cooker Chicken Sweet Potato .

Save-It Section

This is brilliant for make-ahead, trust me. Once shredded and coated in the sauce, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to four days. If anything, the flavour on day two is even better—the sage really sinks into the meat.

Now, for the dreaded emergency fix list. If, by some kitchen catastrophe, your sauce tastes too acidic (maybe your cider was tart), stir in half a teaspoon of brown sugar. If it’s too salty (I've done it!), add a peeled, quartered potato to the liquid and let it simmer on High for 30 minutes—the starch will pull some of that salt out. For a drier result (usually happens if you skip the liquid reduction step), just ladle a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid back into the shredded meat and toss hard. You’re making amazing Sage and Cider Pulled Chicken Forget It Crockpot Di that everyone will love! Serve it over those sweet potatoes and enjoy the evening off!

Right then, let's get cooking! As a chef, I know that the beauty of autumn cooking lies in deep, comforting flavours and, crucially, making life easier when the days start drawing in. The slow cooker (or Crockpot, as many of us affectionately call it) is our best mate when we fancy something hearty without spending all evening chained to the hob.

This recipe for Crockpot Cider & Sage Pulled Chicken perfectly nails that vibe. It’s what I turn to when I need proper, satisfying food but I’ve got a mountain of life admin to tackle. It falls squarely into the category of Crockpot Fall Dinners we all need.

Taste & Texture Upgrades

For plating, ditch the bowl and try layering. Put down a nice sweep of that fluffy sweet potato mash first—make it look intentional, like you bothered! Pile the saucy chicken high on top. My pro garnish tip? A tiny sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley and maybe three crispy fried sage leaves. It just pops .

When I was testing this against similar recipes I’ve seen online, I noticed many used too much liquid, resulting in weak, watery meat. My improvement here is using less broth and relying on the slightly alcoholic reduction from the hard cider. That cider really cuts through the richness, giving the Crockpot Pulled Chicken with Cider a necessary tang that my previous attempts always lacked. It stops it tasting a bit flat, you know?

Nutrition & Dietary Paths

For four decent servings, you’re looking at roughly 450 calories, mostly from protein, which is spot on for a hearty Slow Cooker Meals Healthy option. We’ve got about 55g of protein in there, which is brilliant fuel.

If you’re keeping things lighter, just trim any visible fat off the chicken before cooking. For dairy-free folks, the mash is the main thing; just use olive oil or vegan butter and oat milk. The flavour trade-off is minimal because the sweet potato flavour is so dominant anyway. If you need gluten-free, stick to pure cider (check the label, some cheap ones use wheat starch stabilizers—unlikely, but check!), and you’re golden. This is a fantastic Easy Slow Cooker Fall Recipe .

Serving & Pairing Ideas

This is crying out for something green and slightly bitter. Don't overthink it. A quick pan-fry of Brussels sprouts with a knob of butter and a drizzle of balsamic glaze works wonders. It cuts through the sweetness of the cider. For dessert? Go easy. Maybe some simple baked apples.

When it comes to storage, this beast lasts brilliantly. Three days in the fridge, no problem. Reheating is key: add a tablespoon of water or leftover cooking liquid back into the pot before microwaving or heating gently on the hob. It keeps the chicken moist. Nobody wants dry leftovers, especially not when you've put this much effort (minimal effort, but still!) into your Slow Cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato dish.

Honestly, you need this in your rotation. If you’re looking for truly easy, authentic comfort, give this Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Dinners recipe a whirl this week. You won't regret relying on the magic of the Slow Cooker Chicken .

If you're craving more ideas, explore My Easy Amish Apple Fritter Bread The Perfect Fall Sweet Bread Loaf , Easy Crockpot Chicken Mole A Flavour Fiesta in Your Slow Cooker and Crockpot Shepherds Pie Easiest Comfort Food EVER .

For deeper guidance, visit Slow Cooker Recipes .