Description
Slow Cooker Chicken with Fig Jam and Goat Cheese: Tender chicken cooked low and slow with sweet fig jam and tangy goat cheese. A comforting and crowd-pleasing dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup (160g) fig jam or preserves
- 1/4 cup (60ml) balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces (115g) goat cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Begin by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels – this helps them brown better and enhances flavor development. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. If you have extra time, let the seasoned chicken rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the salt to penetrate the meat.
- Step 2: Create the Fig Jam Sauce In a medium bowl, whisk together the fig jam, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and thyme leaves until well combined. The mixture should be smooth with the jam fully incorporated into the liquid ingredients. This creates the sweet-savory base that will infuse the chicken with incredible flavor as it cooks.
- Step 3: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker Scatter the sliced onions across the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a flavorful bed for the chicken. Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the onions, slightly overlapping if necessary. Pour the fig jam sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated. The layering approach allows the flavors to meld beautifully during the cooking process.
- Step 4: Cook Low and Slow Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is ready when it’s tender enough to shred easily with a fork. For the most succulent Slow Cooker Chicken with Fig Jam, resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking as this releases accumulated heat and extends cooking time.
- Step 5: Add the Goat Cheese Finish During the final 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the chicken. Replace the lid to allow the cheese to warm and slightly soften without fully melting into the sauce. This timing preserves the cheese’s distinct tangy flavor while creating a creamy counterpoint to the sweet fig sauce.
- Step 6: Garnish and Serve Once cooking is complete, garnish your Slow Cooker Chicken with Fig Jam and Goat Cheese with fresh chopped parsley for a bright flavor contrast and beautiful color. Serve directly from the slow cooker for casual dining, or transfer to a serving platter for a more elegant presentation, spooning the rich sauce over the top.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 130mg