Crock pot chicken recipes are a lifesaver for busy families and home cooks alike. With minimal prep time and the ability to cook while you go about your day, these recipes offer a delicious solution to weeknight dinners. Whether you’re craving savory, spicy, or comforting flavors, there’s a crock pot chicken recipe for everyone.
Benefits of Using a Crock Pot for Chicken Dishes
Using a crock pot to prepare chicken dishes comes with numerous benefits:
- Convenience: Set it and forget it! Simply add your ingredients in the morning, and dinner is ready by evening.
- Flavor: Slow cooking allows flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in tender, juicy chicken.
- Healthier Meals: You can control ingredients, making it easier to create healthier options.
- Versatility: From soups to casseroles, crock pots can handle a variety of dishes.
Essential Ingredients for Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
To create mouthwatering crock pot chicken dishes, you’ll need a few essential ingredients:
- Chicken: Choose from whole chickens, thighs, breasts, or drumsticks based on your preference.
- Broth or Stock: Chicken broth adds moisture and flavor. Vegetable broth can be used for a lighter option.
- Spices and Herbs: Common seasonings include garlic, onion, paprika, and Italian herbs.
- Vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers are great additions for a complete meal.
#1 Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- Tortillas
- Toppings (cheese, lettuce, sour cream, avocado, tomatoes)
How To Prepare:
This is the easiest chicken tacos recipe ever— no fuss, all flavor. Grab your crock pot and toss in some boneless chicken breasts. Sprinkle on a good packet of taco seasoning and then pour a cup of your favorite salsa right over the top. That’s it for prep! Cover it, set it to low, and let it cook for about six hours while you go about your day. When you come back, the chicken will be fall-apart tender. Just shred it with two forks, mix it into the sauce, and pile it into warm tortillas. Top with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, or even avocado if you’re feeling fancy. These tacos taste like you worked hard, but really, the crock pot did all the magic.
#2 BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 bottle BBQ sauce (18 oz)
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 6 sandwich buns
- Pickles or coleslaw (optional)
How To Prepare:
We’re going classic comfort today with BBQ chicken sandwiches. Start by layering chicken breasts in your slow cooker and topping them with thin slices of onion. Now take a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce and pour the whole thing over the chicken. Cover it up, cook on low for eight hours, and forget about it. By the time you lift that lid, the chicken will be so tender it practically shreds itself. Stir it all together with the sauce until it’s sticky and flavorful. Load it onto soft buns, add some pickles or a scoop of coleslaw if you want that extra crunch, and you’ve got a backyard BBQ vibe without ever turning on the grill.
#3 Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, pepper
How To Prepare:
This one’s cozy and creamy — the perfect family meal. Grease your crock pot and pour in a cup of uncooked rice, two cans of creamy soups, and a splash of chicken broth. Give it a quick stir, then nestle your chicken breasts right on top. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, cover it up, and cook on low for about five hours. When it’s done, the rice will be soft and the chicken perfectly tender. Shred the chicken into the rice, fluff everything together, and it’s ready to serve. It’s comfort food that tastes like a warm hug.
#4 Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp honey
- Sesame seeds, green onions for garnish
How To Prepare:
Here’s a sweet and savory crowd-pleaser. Place chicken thighs straight into the crock pot and pour over a mix of teriyaki sauce, garlic, ginger, and just a touch of honey. Cover, cook on high for four hours, and let those flavors soak right into the chicken. When it’s done, the sauce will be glossy and rich, perfect for spooning over rice or noodles. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh green onions, and you’ve got takeout-style teriyaki without even picking up the phone.
#5 Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp thyme, salt, pepper
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits
How To Prepare:
This one feels like home in a bowl. Into the crock pot goes your chicken, onions, carrots, celery, a can of creamy soup, chicken broth, and some thyme. Let it cook on low for about six hours until everything’s tender and fragrant. Shred the chicken, stir it back into the pot, and now comes the fun part — dumplings! Cut up refrigerated biscuit dough into little pieces and drop them right on top. Cover again and let them puff up for about thirty minutes. You’ll open the lid to fluffy dumplings floating in a creamy, hearty stew that tastes like grandma made it.
#6 Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil for garnish
How To Prepare:
This dish is rich, creamy, and absolutely irresistible — they don’t call it Marry Me Chicken for nothing. Place chicken breasts in your crock pot and whisk together cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and Italian herbs. Pour that luscious mixture over the chicken and sprinkle in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook on low for six hours, and when it’s ready, the sauce will be velvety and full of flavor. Garnish with fresh basil, serve it over pasta or mashed potatoes, and watch people fall in love with every bite.
#7 Chicken Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken thighs, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Salt, pepper
How To Prepare:
If you love bold flavors, this one’s for you. Add chicken pieces to the crock pot along with onions, garlic, ginger, curry powder, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Mix it all up and cook on low for eight hours. Toward the end, stir in a can of creamy coconut milk to bring it all together. The result is a rich, aromatic curry that pairs perfectly with steamed rice or naan bread. It’s warming, flavorful, and tastes like it simmered all day because it did!
#8 Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts, sliced
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 packet fajita seasoning
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Tortillas and toppings
How To Prepare:
Here’s a no-fuss way to get sizzling fajita flavor without standing at the stove. Toss sliced chicken breasts, bell peppers, and onions into your crock pot. Sprinkle on fajita seasoning and add just a splash of chicken broth to keep things juicy. Cover and cook on low for six hours, and when it’s done, the chicken and veggies will be tender and perfectly spiced. Scoop everything into warm tortillas, add cheese, guac, or sour cream, and enjoy fajitas straight from your slow cooker.
#9 Chicken Gravy
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 2 packets chicken gravy mix
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- Mashed potatoes or rice for serving
How To Prepare:
This recipe is all about comfort — chicken smothered in rich gravy. Place chicken breasts in the crock pot, then whisk together chicken broth, gravy packets, and a can of cream of chicken soup. Pour that over the chicken, cover it up, and let it go on low for seven hours. By the end, the chicken will be tender and the sauce will have thickened into the perfect gravy. Shred the chicken and serve it over mashed potatoes or rice for a dish that’s hearty, simple, and downright delicious.
#10 Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chips or celery sticks for serving
How To Prepare:
Time for a party favorite! Add shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo wing sauce, and some cheddar cheese into your crock pot. Give it a stir, cover, and cook on high for two hours. The mixture will get creamy and bubbly, perfect for scooping with chips or celery sticks. Sprinkle more cheese on top, let it melt, and you’ve got a dip that’s spicy, cheesy, and guaranteed to disappear fast at any gathering.
Crock Pot Chicken Recipe Variations
Don’t hesitate to experiment with variations for different dietary needs:
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free soy sauce in recipes like teriyaki chicken.
- Low-Carb: Opt for cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice in casseroles.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut milk for cream in creamy chicken dishes.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Crock Pot Chicken
To ensure your chicken turns out perfectly every time, consider these tips:
- Choose the Right Cut: Dark meat (thighs and drumsticks) tends to stay moist and flavorful, while white meat (breasts) can dry out if overcooked.
- Layer Ingredients Carefully: Place denser vegetables at the bottom and chicken on top to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t Overfill: Keep your crock pot no more than two-thirds full for optimal cooking.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Chicken in a Crock Pot
Avoid these common pitfalls for the best results:
- Skipping Browning: Browning chicken before adding it to the crock pot enhances flavor.
- Overcooking: Cooking chicken too long can lead to dryness. Stick to recommended cooking times.
- Neglecting Liquid: Ensure enough liquid is present to prevent burning and maintain moisture.