Dump frozen chicken tenderloins in the crock pot with 4 other cheap ingredients and get a weeknight dinner so delicious your husband will be begging

This 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Spring Blossom Chicken is a vibrant, “dump-and-go” recipe that perfectly captures the balance of sweet and tangy flavors. By combining apricot preserves with zesty Italian dressing, you create a sophisticated glaze where the vinegar and herbs from the dressing cut through the jam’s sweetness, while low-sodium soy sauce adds a deep umami undertone. Using frozen chicken tenderloins allows the meat to poach slowly, staying incredibly juicy until it’s ready to be shredded into the glossy, fruit-forward sauce.

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Spring Blossom Chicken

Ingredients:

Step-by-Step Directions:

Step 1: The Frozen Foundation: Place the frozen chicken tenderloins in an even layer at the bottom of your slow cooker.

Tip: Starting with frozen meat in the slow cooker is a great time-saver, but keep the lid closed! The tenderloins will release natural juices as they thaw, which thins the thick apricot mixture into a perfect, pourable sauce.

Step 2: The “Blossom” Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the apricot preserves, Italian dressing, and soy sauce. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring most of the meat is covered.

Step 3: The Low-and-Slow Simmer: Cover and cook on LOW for 4/5 hours (or HIGH for 2/3 hours) until the chicken is tender enough to pull apart easily with a fork.

Step 4: The Shred and Stir: Once cooked, use two forks to gently shred or chunk the tenderloins directly in the pot. Stir the meat into the sauce so every fiber is saturated with the apricot-Italian glaze.

Step 5: The “Spring” Finish: Add the frozen peas to the slow cooker and stir. Cover and let the dish sit on the WARM setting for 5/10 minutes.

Tip: This is a vital “mechanical” step. You only want to heat the peas until they are bright green and tender. Cooking them too long will cause them to lose their vibrant color and turn “mushy,” which ruins the fresh spring aesthetic of the dish.

Step 6: The Final Taste: Give the sauce a final taste. If you prefer a saltier finish, add a tiny splash of soy sauce; if it needs more brightness, a spoonful of preserves will do the trick.