Step 1

Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken, skin-side down, and cook for 3 minutes or until golden. Turn and cook for a further 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Step 2

Sprinkle the soup mix over the chicken. Add the apricot halves and pour over the apricot nectar. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours.

Step 3

Use tongs to transfer the chicken to a warm oven tray and cover with foil to keep warm (alternatively, pop the tray into a preheated 180C/160 fan forced oven, without the foil, for 5-10 minutes). Increase the slow cooker heat to High. Stir the cornflour with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. Add to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and heat for 5 minutes. Stir again.

Step 4

Serve the chicken and apricots with rice and broccolini, and sprinkled with thyme leaves, if desired.