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

How to keep chicken moist in the crockpot? ›

If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry (even if you use broth or water) and tough. That means the best way to keep chicken from drying out in a crockpot is to stop cooking it as soon as it reaches the proper internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Can you put frozen chicken in a slow cooker? ›

"You can cook frozen meat in any Crock-Pot brand product, but suggested cook time may need to be increased," the representative stated, adding that the company recommends using a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken is "well above" 165°F before eating it.

How long does chicken take to cook in a crockpot? ›

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with plenty of salt and pepper. 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.

Can I leave chicken in crockpot for 12 hours? ›

The official guideline is no more than 2 hours, total, between 40°F and 140°F. So, if your room is fairly cool, and all the ingredients were cold, at two hours in the off crock pot, you're just inside these guideline. I might suggest turning up the temperature to 160 just to be safe.

Should chicken be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full. Follow the manufacturer's recipes and directions for best results.

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

For optimal results, it's generally recommended to cook chicken on the low setting in a crockpot. This slower cooking method allows the chicken to become more tender and absorb flavors, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish compared to using the high setting.

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 you cook chicken too long in a slow cooker? ›

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

Do I have to defrost chicken before cooking? ›

Fortunately, we can all take a collective sigh of relief, because the USDA says it is fine to cook chicken from frozen, just keep in mind that the cooking time will be about 50 percent longer. However, chicken should never be cooked from frozen in a slow cooker or microwave.

Why is my chicken in the crockpot still tough? ›

Cook Low and Slow

Each slow cooker meal's cooking time differs depending on the meat and its weight. The low setting is important so you don't overcook it, potentially leaving you with a dry or tough meal.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

Yes, chicken breast will become softer and more tender the longer it is cooked, provided it is cooked at a low enough temperature. If it is cooked at too high of a temperature, the chicken breast will become dry and tough.

Is it worth slow cooking chicken? ›

Cooking a whole chicken in a slow cooker keeps it tender and moist. Serve with all the trimmings for an easy Sunday lunch. Each serving provides 355 kcal, 57g protein, 3g carbohydrate (of which 2g sugars), 12.5g fat (of which 3g saturates), 0.8g fibre and 1.7g salt.

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? ›

Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

How to keep crockpot chicken moist? ›

This is because cooking the chicken at high heat in a slow cooker can quickly dry out the meat, resulting in a tough and unappetizing texture. By using low heat, the chicken has more time to cook slowly and evenly, allowing the natural juices to be distributed throughout the meat, keeping it moist and tender.

How to make slow cooker chicken not dry? ›

Make sure that most of the meat is in contact with the bottom of your slow cooker. This is important for the most evenly cooked, juicy slow cooker chicken breast or thigh meat.

How do you keep chicken from getting watery in a slow cooker? ›

okay, secondly, you can put a tea towel under the lid. that will capture some of the moisture, it stops it circulating in the slow cooker. and then thirdly, you can use a corn flour slurry, so into a bowl, a little bit of corn flour, cold water, mix it with your finger, pour it in, stir it.

Why does my chicken dry out in slow cooker? ›

A lean protein cooked for six plus hours at the temperatures a crock pot uses is going to dry out. The collagen, the gelatin, the fat, all the stuff not in a chicken breast, is going to be driven out.

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