Slow Cooker Honey Ketchup Chicken with Sweet Wine and Raisins
Tender chicken quarters braised in a sweet and tangy sauce combining ketchup, honey, and white wine with golden raisins. The slow cooking method creates fall-off-the-bone meat while the sauce reduces to a glossy glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food with minimal hands-on time. This recipe works equally well in the oven or slow cooker, making it adaptable to your schedule and equipment.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken quarters, halvedchicken thighs1:1
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon honeymaple syrup1:1Full guide →
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ cup golden raisinsdried cranberries1:1Full guide →
- ½ cup sweet white winechicken broth1:1
- 1 teaspoon MSG-free chicken soup mix, dissolved in 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- 1
Clean chicken, wash, and pat dry
- 2
Mix all sauce ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl
- 3
For oven method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees, pour half the sauce into a roasting pan, add chicken skin-side down, pour remaining sauce over chicken, bake covered for 1 and 1/2 hours, then uncover and bake another 1/2 hour
- 4
For slow cooker method: Place chicken in slow cooker, pour sauce over chicken ensuring all pieces are covered, cook on low for 6-8 hours
- 5
Serve over rice
Tips
Use a mix of regular and hot ketchup for added depth of flavor
For extra tender results, cook for the full 8 hours in the slow cooker
Effervescent wines like Moscato add a nice touch to the sauce
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container
Can be assembled the night before and refrigerated, then cooked the next day
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce
Common Mistakes
Don't skip patting the chicken dry to avoid excess moisture in the sauce
Ensure all chicken pieces are covered with sauce to prevent drying out
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I use chicken breasts instead of quarters?
Yes, but reduce cooking time as breasts cook faster and can become dry. Check after 4-5 hours in slow cooker.
What if I don't have sweet wine?
Substitute with additional chicken broth or apple juice for sweetness. The flavor will be milder but still delicious.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
Properly stored leftovers will keep for 3-4 days. The flavors actually improve after a day of resting.