Crockpot chicken recipes are a lifesaver for busy cooks. These meals let you toss ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a tasty dinner. You can make everything from classic comfort foods to exotic international dishes using your crockpot and some chicken.
Slow cooker chicken recipes are great for families, meal prep, and easy entertaining. They often need little hands-on time but give you tender, flavorful results. With so many options, you’ll never get bored of crockpot chicken meals.
Put the chicken in your slow cooker. Mix the sauce in a bowl and pour it over the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
The chicken will be tender and full of flavor. You can add veggies like potatoes and carrots for a complete meal. Green beans work well too – just add them in the last 30 minutes.
This dish is great for busy days. You can start it in the morning and come home to a delicious dinner.
Start by adding chicken breasts to your slow cooker. Pour in enchilada sauce, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes. Toss in some corn, black beans, and diced green chiles for extra texture and flavor.
Season with cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Let it cook on low for 6 hours. The chicken will become tender and easily shred with two forks.
Stir in some cheese near the end of cooking for a creamy finish. Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, or avocado for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Teriyaki chicken is a tasty and easy crockpot meal. You’ll need soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger for the sauce.
Add chicken breasts to your slow cooker. Mix the sauce ingredients and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Once done, take out the chicken and shred it with two forks. The meat will be tender and full of flavor. You can thicken the sauce with cornstarch if you like.
Serve your teriyaki chicken over rice with steamed veggies for a complete meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for your crockpot. This hearty meal combines tender chicken with soft, fluffy dumplings in a creamy broth.
To make it, place chicken breasts, condensed soup, and onion in your slow cooker. Add water or broth and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
About an hour before serving, shred the chicken and add vegetables. For the dumplings, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and butter to form a dough. Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the crockpot.
Cover and cook for another hour until the dumplings are cooked through. You’ll have a warm, satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Crockpot chicken alfredo is a creamy, comforting dish you can easily make at home. Start by placing chicken breasts in your slow cooker. Season them with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
Pour chicken broth and heavy cream over the chicken. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. When done, shred the chicken and return it to the pot.
Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cooked fettuccine pasta. Let it warm through for about 20 minutes. Your homemade chicken alfredo will be rich and flavorful.
Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if you like. This dish reheats well, making it great for leftovers.
Chicken Tikka Masala is a tasty Indian-inspired dish you can easily make in your crockpot. Cut chicken into cubes and mix with spices, yogurt, and lemon juice to marinate.
Add the marinated chicken to your slow cooker with tomato sauce and other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Before serving, stir in some garam masala, mango chutney, and cream or coconut milk for extra richness. This creates a flavorful, creamy sauce.
Serve your Chicken Tikka Masala over basmati rice. Add fresh cilantro on top for a pop of color and flavor.
Crockpot chicken curry is a tasty and simple meal. You can make it with boneless chicken breasts or thighs. Add potatoes, carrots, and onions for extra flavor and texture.
Spices like curry powder, cumin, and garam masala give the dish its signature taste. Coconut milk makes the sauce creamy and rich. You can adjust the spice level to suit your preferences.
Cook the curry on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken will be tender and full of flavor when done. Serve your curry over rice for a filling meal.
You can make a tasty mango salsa chicken in your crockpot. Put chicken breasts in the pot with cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Add salsa and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
When the chicken is done, shred it with two forks. Mix in fresh mango and cilantro for extra flavor. This dish is versatile and easy to make.
Serve your mango salsa chicken over rice or in tacos. You can also use it in quesadillas or on top of a salad. The sweet and spicy mix of flavors will make this a family favorite.
You can make delicious savory chicken thighs in your crockpot. Start by seasoning the thighs with salt and pepper.
Place them in the slow cooker and add a mixture of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and tomato paste. This creates a flavorful sauce.
Cook on low for 2.5-3 hours until the chicken is tender. For crispy skin, sear the thighs in a skillet before adding to the crockpot.
You can thicken the cooking liquid into a gravy by whisking in a cornstarch slurry at the end. Serve your savory chicken thighs over rice or with vegetables.
Crockpot chicken fajitas are a tasty and easy meal. You can make them with just a few ingredients.
Put sliced bell peppers and onions in the bottom of your crockpot. Add chicken breasts on top. Sprinkle fajita seasoning over the chicken.
You can use a store-bought seasoning packet or make your own. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
When done, shred the chicken and mix it with the peppers and onions. Serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, or guacamole.
This crockpot dish combines tender chicken with rich garlic and parmesan flavors. You can use chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe.
Start by placing the chicken in your slow cooker. Pour a bottle of garlic parmesan sauce over the meat. Add milk or cream to enhance the sauce’s creaminess.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easy to shred.
Before serving, stir in some grated parmesan cheese. This adds extra flavor and helps thicken the sauce. You can serve this dish over pasta or with potatoes for a complete meal.
Chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that’s perfect for your crockpot. You start by browning chicken pieces in a skillet to lock in flavor.
Next, add the chicken to your slow cooker. Pour in a mixture of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The result is tender chicken in a rich, savory sauce.
You can serve this hearty meal over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. It’s an easy, comforting dinner that practically cooks itself.
Chicken tagine is a tasty Moroccan dish you can easily make in your crockpot. It combines tender chicken with a mix of spices, fruits, and vegetables.
To start, place chicken thighs in your slow cooker. Add onions, carrots, raisins, and apricots for sweetness and texture.
Mix chicken broth, tomato paste, lemon juice, and spices like cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and paprika. Pour this flavorful sauce over the chicken and veggies.
Cook on low for about 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken will become tender and absorb the rich flavors.
Before serving, shred the chicken slightly with two forks. You can garnish with toasted almonds for extra crunch.
Crockpot chicken and wild rice is a comforting, savory dish. You can easily prepare it with minimal effort. Start by placing chicken breasts in your slow cooker.
Add wild rice, vegetables like carrots and celery, and seasonings. Pour in chicken broth and cream of mushroom soup for a rich base. Set your crockpot to low and let it cook for 6-8 hours.
The result is tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice. The flavors meld together beautifully during the long cooking time. You can customize this recipe by adding different herbs or vegetables.
This meal is great for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. It’s filling, nutritious, and tastes even better as leftovers.
Chicken teriyaki meatballs are a tasty and easy crockpot dish. You can make them with ground chicken, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Mix these ingredients and form small balls.
Place the meatballs in your crockpot. Pour teriyaki sauce over them. You can use store-bought sauce or make your own with soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar.
Cook the meatballs on low for about 3-4 hours. Flip them halfway through cooking. This ensures they’re evenly cooked and coated in sauce.
Serve your chicken teriyaki meatballs over rice or noodles. Add some steamed veggies on the side for a complete meal.
You can make tasty chicken stroganoff in your slow cooker. Put chicken in the bottom of the crockpot. Add mushrooms on top. Mix cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and onion soup mix in a bowl. Spread this mixture over the chicken and mushrooms.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 3 hours. The chicken should reach 165°F. Cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the pot. For a thicker sauce, stir in a cornstarch slurry near the end of cooking.
Serve your chicken stroganoff over pasta or rice. You can add sour cream at the end for extra creaminess. This easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights.
Chicken gumbo is a tasty Cajun dish you can make in your crockpot. It combines chicken, veggies, and spices for a flavorful meal.
Start by adding chicken thighs, onions, celery, and bell peppers to your slow cooker. These vegetables are known as “The Holy Trinity” in Cajun cooking.
Toss in some stewed tomatoes and Andouille sausage for extra flavor. Spices like paprika and thyme give the gumbo its signature taste.
Let everything simmer on low for 6-8 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, add some okra and shrimp if you like.
Serve your gumbo over rice for a filling dinner. It’s perfect for cold evenings or when you want a taste of Louisiana cuisine.
This sweet and tangy crockpot dish combines chicken with pineapple for a tropical flavor. You’ll need chicken breasts or thighs, pineapple chunks, and pineapple juice.
Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic with the pineapple juice for the sauce. Pour this over the chicken in your slow cooker. Add the pineapple chunks on top.
Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be tender and cooked through when done.
For a thicker sauce, you can make a cornstarch slurry and add it near the end of cooking. Serve your pineapple chicken over rice for a complete meal.
Chicken chili is a tasty and easy crockpot meal. You can make it with white or dark meat chicken. Add beans, tomatoes, and spices for flavor.
Many recipes use white beans for a lighter chili. Some add cream cheese or sour cream for extra richness. Green chiles give a nice kick without too much heat.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6 hours. Shred the chicken before serving. Top with cheese, cilantro, or lime juice if you like.
This dish is great for cold days or game nights. It’s filling and can feed a crowd. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
This crockpot recipe combines chicken and quinoa for a hearty, nutritious meal. You’ll need chicken, quinoa, broth, and your choice of vegetables.
Add the quinoa, broth, and veggies to your slow cooker. Place the chicken on top. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The quinoa will absorb the flavorful broth as it cooks.
When done, shred the chicken and mix it into the quinoa. You can add cheese on top for extra flavor.
This versatile dish works well for meal prep. It’s filling, protein-packed, and easy to customize with your favorite ingredients.
Health Benefits of Crockpot Chicken Recipes
Crockpot chicken recipes offer many health advantages. You can enjoy tasty meals while getting important nutrients and keeping fat content low.
Nutrient Density
Chicken in crockpot recipes gives you lots of protein. This helps build and repair your muscles. You also get B vitamins from chicken, which support energy and brain function.
Slow cooking keeps more nutrients in the food. Vegetables added to crockpot chicken dishes retain their vitamins and minerals. This boosts the overall nutritional value of your meal.
Many recipes include fiber-rich ingredients like beans or whole grains. Fiber aids digestion and helps you feel full. This can support healthy weight management.
Low-Fat Options
Crockpot cooking lets you make chicken dishes with little added fat. You don’t need oil or butter to prevent sticking like in other cooking methods.
Slow cooking allows excess fat to separate from the meat. You can easily remove this fat before serving. This results in leaner, healthier meals.
You can use skinless chicken breasts for even lower fat content. Add flavor with herbs, spices, and low-fat liquids instead of oils or cream. This keeps calories down while still giving you delicious taste.
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Chicken
Making delicious chicken in your crockpot is easy with the right techniques. Focus on choosing good cuts, marinating well, and setting the right cooking time and temperature.
Choosing the Right Cuts
Pick bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks for the most flavorful results. These cuts stay moist during long cooking times. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can dry out, so use them for shorter cook times.
For even cooking, choose pieces of similar size. Trim excess fat to avoid greasy dishes. Dark meat like thighs and legs holds up better in the slow cooker than white meat.
If using a whole chicken, remove the skin first. This prevents too much fat from collecting in your dish.
Marinating Techniques
Marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This adds flavor and helps keep the meat tender. Mix oil, acid (like lemon juice or vinegar), herbs, and spices for a basic marinade.
Try these flavor combos:
Lemon, garlic, and rosemary
Soy sauce, ginger, and honey
BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar
Don’t reuse marinade that’s touched raw chicken. Make extra to brush on during cooking if needed.
Timing and Temperature
Cook chicken on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internally.
Don’t lift the lid too often. Each peek can add 15-20 minutes to cooking time. Add vegetables in the last hour to prevent overcooking.
For crispy skin, broil chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes after slow cooking. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
