15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2024)

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Pull out your slow cooker and make one of these easy and delicious meals.

By

Cathy Jacobs

15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (1)

Cathy Jacobs

A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 02/8/24

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15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2)

As much as we love our Instant Pots and air fryers, nothing can replace the slow cooker when it comes to easy, cozy dinners. Add one of the most popular dinner proteins to your Crockpot—or whatever brand of slow cooker you prefer—and weekday meals are a breeze.

Each of these fuss-free and delicious slow-cooker chicken dinners requires just tossing a few simple ingredients into the slow cooker and letting dinner bubble away to perfection while you get on with other things.

  • 01 of 15

    Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (3)

    There's nothing quite like a bowl of classic chicken noodle soup to warm you up on a chilly day or to make you feel better when you have a cold. In this easy recipe, everything but the noodles goes into the slow cooker at the same time, which means prep is as simple as chopping up some carrots, celery, and parsley. After that, all you have to do is add the noodles towards the end of the cook time, then serve it up and enjoy.

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  • Lazy Crock Pot Chicken with Mushrooms

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (4)

    Why not be lazy when you can do so and turn out a delicious dinner by simply adding chicken breasts and a few convenience ingredients like cream of mushroom soup and canned sliced mushrooms to your slow cooker? Serve the chicken and saucy mushrooms over rice or mashed potatoes for a creamy, comforting dinner.

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  • 03 of 15

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (5)

    Homey crockpot chicken and dumplings has big grandma energy but without the need to hover over a hot stove for hours. Simply let the chicken and veggies cook all day, for tender, saucy results. You'll drop in an easy dough mixture near the end of cooking for perfectly fluffy dumplings on top.

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  • 04 of 15

    Crock Pot Chicken Supreme

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (6)

    The term "supreme" in this recipe comes from the Frenchsuprêmede volaille, which refers to chicken breasts—a top cut of protein. But this combo of boneless breasts, a creamy sauce, bacon, mushrooms, and cheese is also supremely delicious. Plus, this slow cooker chicken feels awfully fancy for something that requires just 15 minutes of active prep time.

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    The Best Slow Cookers for Set-It-and-Forget-It Soups and Stews

    Continue to 5 of 15 below.

  • 05 of 15

    Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Veggies

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (7)

    This creamy chicken and veggies recipe could hardly be easier. Just load up the appliance with chopped potatoes, carrots, and onions, lay chicken on top, and leave it to cook all day long. Right before serving, add the sauce ingredients, and cook to heat through. It also freezes well for a make-ahead family meal.

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  • 06 of 15

    Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (8)

    This hearty chicken and vegetable chili is a fabulous one-dish meal that's loaded with chicken, two kinds of beans, and plenty of veggies, including tomatoes, corn, onions, and bell peppers. Top bowls with shredded cheddar cheese or a scoop of sour cream for added creaminess and set out bottles of hot sauce or some salsa for those who like a little more of a kick.

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  • 07 of 15

    Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein

    If your slow cooker has a sauté function, use it to brown the chicken before you add the other ingredients to this simple chow mein-inspired dish that gets plenty of flavor from carrots, green onions, celery, ground ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. While the term chow mein refers specifically to stir-fried noodles, the chicken and veggie mixture is just as tasty served over rice.

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  • 08 of 15

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika with Dumplings

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (10)

    Sour cream and sweet Hungarian paprika make this simple paprika chicken with dumplings rich and flavorful. Pillowy three-ingredient drop dumplings complete this tasty dish. Add a fresh green salad or some steamed or roasted vegetables for an easy dinner.

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    Continue to 9 of 15 below.

  • 09 of 15

    Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (11)

    Inspired by enchiladas, this easy slow cooker chicken casserole includes layers of cut-up tortillas, shredded or chopped chicken, cheese, ripe olives, and chopped onions. The recipe includes an enchilada sauce, but you can use store-bought enchilada sauce instead to make it even easier. Serve the casserole with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole and let everyone top their own portions.

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  • 10 of 15

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (12)

    You don't need a grill to produce the tender, juicy barbecue chicken of your dreams. All you need are chicken, onions, and bottled or homemade BBQ sauce (a great recipe is included), and your slow cooker. Add corn on the cob, potato salad or macaroni salad, and some watermelon and your backyard feast is complete.

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  • 11 of 15

    Crockpot Pizza Chicken

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (13)

    What is pizza chicken, you may ask? A protein-rich vehicle for your favorite pizza flavors: tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. The chicken is cooked with the pepperoni, which infuses the meat with flavor. Cheese is sprinkled on top at the last minute and left just long enough to melt. Can't forget the iconic pizza cheese pull!

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  • 12 of 15

    Crockpot Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (14)

    This wholesome crockpot chicken and sweet potatoes always hits the spot on chilly or rainy days. Loosely inspired by Indian cuisine, the chicken is cooked in a sweet, spicy, and super-flavorful sauce that includes ginger, curry powder, and peach preserves. Serve it over rice or with naan to complete the meal.

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    Continue to 13 of 15 below.

  • 13 of 15

    Crock Pot Portuguese Chicken

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (15)

    Spicy pork sausage, chicken, canned tomatoes, garlic, artichoke hearts, and olives are combined in this bold, saucy slow cooker Portuguese-inspired chicken. For this dish, use Spanish or Portuguese chorizo (chouriço), which is different from Mexican chorizo. This is an all-in-one meal, though rice and crusty bread are nice additions.

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  • 14 of 15

    2-Ingredient Crock Pot Barbecued Chicken Legs

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (16)

    This BBQ chicken recipe really couldn't be easier: Simply nestle chicken legs into the slow cooker with some store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce and let it cook while you get on with your day. Serve the chicken with coleslaw, potato salad, or any of your other favorite barbecue sides.

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  • 15 of 15

    Easy 2-Ingredient Salsa Crockpot Chicken

    15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (17)

    You quite literally can't make it much easier than this 2-ingredient salsa chicken (it's more effort to order takeout!). Chicken breasts and store-bought salsa go into the slow cooker and perfectly seasoned, saucy chicken comes out. If you want to dress it up a little more, throw in a sliced onion and a couple sliced bell peppers or shred some Monterey Jack and sprinkle it on top to melt. Serve the chicken with tortillas or tostadas, and use leftovers as a clutch nacho starter.

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29 Easy and Satisfying Crockpot Dinners

15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Can I put frozen chicken in the CrockPot? ›

Information. It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

Can I leave chicken in CrockPot for 12 hours? ›

Today's programmable slow cookers often come with the ability to cook food for up to 24 hours, as well as automatic warming settings that can stay on for just as long.

What's the longest you can slow cook chicken? ›

For a whole chicken – Place it in your slow cooker breast side down. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 4-5 hours or Low for 6-8 hours. For bone-in pieces - Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 3-4 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.

Does chicken need to be covered in liquid in crockpot? ›

Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

How long does it take to cook raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

Why do they call it crack chicken? ›

Lansing, Michigan is home for the Crack Chicken. A great seasoning for all your favorite foods. Started in 2003, customers tried our famous chicken and came back for more. Their addiction to this delicious taste made them call it Crack Chicken, and that's how the name started, and cracked the food industry world.

How long to cook 1 pound of chicken in crockpot? ›

Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours. Chicken is finished when internal temperature has reached 165F (75C) and it can easily be shredded with a pair of forks. Remove chicken from crockpot and use two forks to easily pull apart and shred chicken.

Can you put frozen chicken in the crockpot for 4 hours? ›

If you're looking to place frozen chicken in the crock pot, a whole chicken may take approximately 4-6 hours on high heat or 6–8 hours on low heat. If you're cooking a frozen chicken breast, expect about 3–4 hours on high or 5-7 hours on low.

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot? ›

Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry and tough, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Is it OK to leave chicken in crockpot on warm overnight? ›

It is not recommended to keep food warm in a slow cooker overnight, even if you turn it off, for several reasons: Bacterial Growth: Bacteria multiply rapidly at temperatures between 40°F (4.4°C) and 140°F (60°C).

Why is my chicken tough after slow cooking? ›

Aside from accidentally overcooking the meals, the most common reason we see for tough, rubbery, or overdone chicken is customers using a Crockpot that is far too big.

Can I leave a crockpot on low overnight? ›

Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Is 8 hours too long to slow cook chicken? ›

You're going to compromise the texture of chicken a bit when you cook it for 8 hours in the slowcooker. It's going to be super tender, but not “sliceable”, so use this to your advantage and shred the meat using two forks and toss it with the cooking liquid.

Does chicken need to be cooked before slow cooker? ›

Totally up to you. While chicken is meant to be slow cooked from raw, many do like to just brown or sear it first. This can help to lock in moisture, speed up cooking time or simply to improve visual appearance of the finished dish. Keep in mind that chicken will release a lot of liquid during cooking.

Why can't you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

If you simply pop some raw meat in your slow cooker, it won't have a chance to brown, which adds some much-needed flavor and cuts down on plenty of unappealing grease. Instead, you're better served by browning raw meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker with your other ingredients.

What should you not cook in a slow cooker? ›

​11 things you shouldn't put in your slow cooker
  1. Lean meats. ...
  2. Raw meat. ...
  3. Too much liquid. ...
  4. Delicate vegetables. ...
  5. Too much spice. ...
  6. Dairy. ...
  7. Too much booze. ...
  8. Meat that has the skin on.
Oct 12, 2022

Is it OK to cook vegetables with raw chicken? ›

Cooking raw chicken and vegetables in the same pan is generally safe as long as proper food safety practices are followed. Here are some important points to consider: Cooking Temperatures: Both chicken and vegetables need to reach a safe internal temperature to kill any harmful bacteria.

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