This cozy slow-cooker dish pairs tender chicken meatballs with a rich, warmly-spiced apple butter sauce to create the perfect fall dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make—just mix, shape, and let the slow cooker do all the work for a delicious, low-effort meal.
“I love a cocktail meatball, but could never get into the sweetness of the classic jelly meatball,” said recipe cross-tester Liz Mervosh. “These apple butter meatballs have the perfect amount of sweet and savory flavors. Also, the flavor combinations are surprisingly delish!”
Ingredients
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1 small Granny Smith apple (about 6 ounces)
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1 pound ground chicken
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1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)
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1 large egg, beaten
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1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
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1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
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3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1 1/2 cups apple butter (such as White House®)
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1 cup chicken stock
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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3/4 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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decorative toothpicks
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
![Slow Cooker Chicken Apple Butter Meatballs ingredients on a counter]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Peel apple; discard peels. Grate apple on the largest holes of a box grater to yield 2/3 cup. Place grated apple in a large bowl.
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Add chicken, panko, egg, salt, thyme, poultry seasoning, and black pepper to bowl with grated apples. Mix until just combined. Shape into 18 balls (about 2 tablespoons each).
![Raw meatballs shaped on a parchment lined baking sheet and meat mixture in a glass bowl]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Stir together apple butter, chicken stock, Worcestershire, and chicken bouillon in a 6-quart slow cooker bowl. Place meatballs in sauce mixture.
![Raw meatballs with sauce in a slow cooker]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Cover and cook until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens enough to coat the meatballs, about 2 hours on HIGH or 4 hours on LOW, stirring halfway through. Stir in butter until melted and season with additional salt to taste.
![Hand stirring meatballs with sauce in a slow cooker]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Transfer meatballs and sauce to a platter; insert each meatball with a toothpick and garnish with chopped thyme.
![Slow Cooker Chicken Apple Butter Meatballs in a white bowl on a marble counter]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 566 | Calories |
| 21g | Fat |
| 62g | Carbs |
| 32g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 4 | |
| Calories 566 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 21g | 27% |
| Saturated Fat 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol 185mg | 62% |
| Sodium 880mg | 38% |
| Total Carbohydrate 62g | 23% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 12% |
| Total Sugars 43g | |
| Protein 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin C 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium 68mg | 5% |
| Iron 3mg | 15% |
| Potassium 1035mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
