Slow Cooker Chicken: Easy & Delicious Recipes

Crockpot cooking is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. It’s hands-off, allowing you to throw ingredients in the pot and let the slow cooker do the work while you focus on other things. And when it comes to chicken, the crockpot truly shines.

Here are some easy and delicious crockpot chicken recipes that will become staples in your meal rotation:

Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken

This recipe is simple, flavorful, and perfect for a light and refreshing meal.

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Place chicken in the crockpot.
3. Pour the marinade over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Serve with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

This classic comfort food is surprisingly easy to make in the crockpot.

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 cups chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

1 (10.75 ounce) can refrigerated biscuit dough

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, onion, carrots, and celery in the crockpot.
2. Pour chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it.
6. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
7. Cut the biscuit dough into 12-15 pieces.
8. Place the biscuit dough pieces on top of the chicken and broth mixture.
9. Cook on low for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
10. Serve hot.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

This spicy and flavorful recipe is perfect for game day or any time you’re craving something a little bit different.

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 cup hot sauce

1/4 cup butter

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Blue cheese dressing and crumbled blue cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in the crockpot.
2. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Stir in hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
4. Pour sauce over the chicken.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Shred the chicken in the crockpot.
7. Serve on buns with blue cheese dressing and crumbled blue cheese.

Crockpot Chicken Curry

This flavorful and aromatic curry is a great way to use up leftover chicken.

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs cooked chicken, shredded

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 inch piece of fresh ginger, grated

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk

1 cup chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place onion, garlic, and ginger in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 1 hour, or until the onion is softened.
3. Stir in curry powder, cumin, and turmeric.
4. Cook for 5 minutes more.
5. Add diced tomatoes, coconut milk, chicken broth, and shredded chicken.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the flavors have melded.
8. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan bread.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

This easy and delicious recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a casual get-together.

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 packet taco seasoning

1 cup water

Flour tortillas

Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, onion, and bell peppers in the crockpot.
2. Sprinkle with taco seasoning.
3. Add water.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Shred the chicken in the crockpot.
6. Serve on warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Crockpot Chicken Parmesan

This classic Italian dish is surprisingly easy to make in the crockpot.

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (15 ounce) jar marinara sauce

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Dredge chicken breasts in flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat in bread crumbs.
2. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
3. Pour marinara sauce over the chicken.
4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve with pasta.

Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This hearty and flavorful soup is perfect for a cold winter day.

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup wild rice

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, onion, carrots, and celery in the crockpot.
2. Pour chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables.
3. Add wild rice, diced tomatoes, and corn.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
6. Shred the chicken in the crockpot.
7. Serve hot.

Tips for Crockpot Cooking

Don’t overcrowd the crockpot. This can prevent the food from cooking evenly.

Use the right amount of liquid. Too much liquid can make the food watery, while too little can cause it to dry out.

Brown the meat before cooking. This adds extra flavor to your dishes.

Use low and slow for the best results.

Don’t peek too often. Opening the lid frequently can release heat and increase cooking time.

Conclusion

Crockpot chicken recipes are a fantastic way to enjoy delicious and healthy meals without spending hours in the kitchen. With a little planning, you can easily prepare a variety of flavorful dishes that will satisfy your family’s cravings. So next time you’re looking for an easy and delicious weeknight meal, try one of these crockpot chicken recipes. You won’t be disappointed!