Lemon and Apricot Chicken
I have no idea why chicken and apricots go together so well, but they are clearly a match made in taste-combo heaven. Two medium apricots have more than 1,300 IU's of vitamin A, 766 IU's of beta-carotene, and a healthy dose of a plant chemical called beta-cruyptoxanthin, which can reduce the risk for lung cancer by more than 30 percent and the risk for arthritis by 4 percent. This dish is on the leaner side because we used all white meat (slightly lower in calories and fat), but the natural sugars and acids in the juices help keep this divine dish as tender as you'd want it to be.
I have no idea why chicken and apricots go together so well, but they are clearly a match made in taste-combo heaven. Two medium apricots have more than 1,300 IU's of vitamin A, 766 IU's of beta-carotene, and a healthy dose of a plant chemical called beta-cruyptoxanthin, which can reduce the risk for lung cancer by more than 30 percent and the risk for arthritis by 4 percent. This dish is on the leaner side because we used all white meat (slightly lower in calories and fat), but the natural sugars and acids in the juices help keep this divine dish as tender as you'd want it to be.
- Carbohydrate 13.7381493270005 g
- Cholesterol 136.88 mg
- Fat 3.28193592154741 g
- Fiber 2.18513786383512 g
- Protein 55.6331714013676 g
- Saturated Fat 0.813206397296313 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (315g)
- Sodium 229.721186819072 mg
- Sugar 11.5530114631653 g
- Trans Fat 0.853733415399368 g
- Calories 317 calories
Step-by-step
- Scatter the onion slices and grated carrot on bottom of crock pot. Place chicken on top.
- In a small bowl, whisk the nectar, mustard, tamari, lemon juice, and zest together.
- Stir in the dried apricots and pour over chicken.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 3-4 hours or until chicken is cooked through but still juicy.
- Stir to baste before serving.
Monitoring the internal temperature of the chicken breasts requires precise timing, as boneless white meat dries out rapidly once it surpasses 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Slow cookers vary wildly in their wattage and heat distribution, meaning a low setting on one appliance might aggressively simmer on another. Testing the meat at the two-hour mark on high or the three-hour mark on low prevents overcooking. Scattering the sliced onions and grated carrots directly along the bottom of the ceramic insert serves a dual purpose: it creates a aromatic flavor base while elevating the poultry just enough to prevent scorching against the direct heating elements. Standard oval slow cookers holding four to six quarts accommodate six chicken breasts in a single layered tier without overlapping excessively. Stacking the protein prevents the liquid mixture from making direct contact with every surface, leading to uneven braising. Whisking the apricot nectar, Dijon mustard, tamari, lemon juice, and zest thoroughly in a separate bowl ensures the mustard emulsifies into the liquids rather than clumping upon contact with the heat. Dried apricots plump up as they absorb moisture during the simmering process, releasing their concentrated sugars into the surrounding sauce. Tamari replaces traditional soy sauce here to provide a gluten-free umami backbone, though standard low-sodium soy sauce yields identical salinity if dietary restrictions permit. Leftovers keep safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, though gentle reheating on the stovetop with a splash of water prevents the lean poultry from tightening further.
