Soft Spice Slow-Cooker Chicken

Featured in: Cozy Slow-Roast Comforts

This comforting dish features tender chicken thighs and sweet potatoes slowly cooked with a delicate blend of warm spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and turmeric. Combined with onion, carrots, garlic, apricots, and a touch of honey and lemon juice, the flavors meld beautifully during a slow, gentle simmer. Finished with fresh herbs and toasted almonds, it offers a rich, aromatic meal perfect for a relaxed weeknight.

Updated on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:14:00 GMT
Soft slow-cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato Tagine, a warm, fragrant stew, garnished with fresh cilantro. Pin It
Soft slow-cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato Tagine, a warm, fragrant stew, garnished with fresh cilantro. | birchoven.com

A comforting, aromatic tagine featuring tender chicken, sweet potatoes, and a gentle blend of warm spices, all simmered together in a slow cooker for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal.

I first served this tagine to my family on a chilly evening and everyone loved the tender chicken and sweet potatoes paired with warm spices.

Ingredients

  • Meats: 1.5 lbs (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
  • Vegetables: 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes , 1 large onion, finely chopped , 2 carrots, peeled and sliced , 3 cloves garlic, minced , 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can diced tomatoes, drained , 1/2 cup dried apricots, halved
  • Spices & Aromatics: 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin , 1 tsp ground coriander , 1 tsp ground cinnamon , 1/2 tsp ground turmeric , 1/2 tsp ground ginger , 1/2 tsp sweet paprika , 1/4 tsp ground allspice , 1/4 tsp ground black pepper , 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste) , Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for mild heat)
  • Liquids: 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) low-sodium chicken broth , 1 tbsp honey , 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Finishing Touches: 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley , Toasted slivered almonds (optional, for serving)

Instructions

Sear Chicken:
In a large skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Sear the chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned (Optional, for deeper flavor).
Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker:
Add the chicken, sweet potatoes, onion, carrots, garlic, diced tomatoes, and apricots to the slow cooker.
Mix Spices:
In a small bowl, combine cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, allspice, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Sprinkle the spice mix over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
Add Liquids:
Pour in the chicken broth, then drizzle the honey and lemon juice over the top.
Cook:
Gently stir to combine, cover, and cook on LOW for 5 hours or until the chicken is very tender and sweet potatoes are cooked through.
Adjust Seasoning:
Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed.
Serve:
Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley and toasted almonds if desired. Serve hot over couscous, rice, or quinoa.
Golden chicken pieces and sweet potatoes are shown in this slow-cooker Soft Spice Tagine. Pin It
Golden chicken pieces and sweet potatoes are shown in this slow-cooker Soft Spice Tagine. | birchoven.com

This recipe brings our family together especially on cold evenings, creating warm memories around the dinner table.

Required Tools

Slow cooker (4-6 quart) , Chef&s knife , Cutting board , Skillet (optional for searing) , Measuring cups and spoons

Allergen Information

Contains tree nuts (if using almonds). Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Double-check chicken broth and spice blends for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 410 , Total Fat: 8 g , Carbohydrates: 51 g , Protein: 32 g per serving

This hearty Soft Spice Slow-Cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato Tagine is ready to enjoy for dinner tonight. Pin It
This hearty Soft Spice Slow-Cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato Tagine is ready to enjoy for dinner tonight. | birchoven.com

Enjoy this flavorful tagine as a comforting weeknight meal that is both simple and satisfying.

Recipe Questions & Answers

Can I sear the chicken before slow cooking?

Searing the chicken adds depth of flavor, but it's optional. You can add the chicken directly to the slow cooker for convenience.

What can I serve alongside this dish?

It pairs well with couscous, rice, or quinoa to soak up the flavorful juices.

Can I substitute the chicken with plant-based options?

Yes, canned chickpeas or firm tofu can be used for a vegetarian variation, adjusting cooking times accordingly.

How spicy is this dish?

The blend of warm spices is mild, with an optional pinch of cayenne for gentle heat if desired.

Are toasted almonds necessary for serving?

Toasted almonds add a pleasant crunch and nuttiness but can be omitted or substituted based on preferences or allergies.

Soft Spice Slow-Cooker Chicken

Tender chicken and sweet potatoes simmered with warm spices in a slow cooker for easy, comforting flavors.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
300 minutes
Overall Time
320 minutes
Published by Zoey Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Moroccan-Inspired

Servings Yielded 4 Total Servings

Dietary Information Free from Dairy, Gluten-Free

What You'll Need

Meats

01 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks

Vegetables

01 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
02 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
06 1/2 cup dried apricots, halved

Spices & Aromatics

01 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
02 1 teaspoon ground coriander
03 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
05 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
06 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
07 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
08 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
10 Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Liquids

01 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
02 1 tablespoon honey
03 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Finishing Touches

01 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley
02 Toasted slivered almonds (optional)

How To Make It

Step 01

Sear Chicken: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken pieces for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly browned to enhance flavor (optional).

Step 02

Combine Main Ingredients: Transfer chicken, sweet potatoes, onion, carrots, garlic, diced tomatoes, and apricots into the slow cooker.

Step 03

Add Spice Blend: Mix ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, allspice, black pepper, salt, and cayenne in a small bowl; sprinkle the mixture evenly over the slow cooker ingredients.

Step 04

Add Liquids: Pour chicken broth into the slow cooker, then drizzle honey and lemon juice over the top.

Step 05

Slow Cook: Stir ingredients gently to combine, cover, and cook on low for 5 hours until chicken is tender and sweet potatoes are cooked through.

Step 06

Adjust Seasoning: Taste and modify salt or spices as necessary before serving.

Step 07

Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley and toasted almonds if desired. Serve hot over couscous, rice, or quinoa.

Tools Needed

  • Slow cooker (4–6 quart)
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Skillet (optional for searing)
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Details

Please double-check ingredients for allergens and reach out to your healthcare provider if uncertain.
  • Contains tree nuts if almonds used as garnish
  • Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free; verify broth and spice blends for hidden allergens

Nutrition Details (per portion)

These nutrition estimates are for general reference only—always consult your doctor for specific advice.
  • Kcal: 410
  • Fats: 8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 51 g
  • Proteins: 32 g