Feeling like chicken tonight? 20 slow cooker chicken recipes (2024)

Like the old commercial from the ‘90s, we sometimes find ourselves saying, “I feel like chicken tonight!” But some of our favorite chicken dishes take a lot of time and effort, and that’s not always something available to us. So when time is short, we call in the slow cooker to save dinner. Here are 20 slow cooker recipes to try the next time you’re craving chicken.

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Broccoli cheddar soup

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Chock full of chicken, cheese, broccoli, and potatoes, this soup is so soothing & satisfying in the colder months. But because this recipe from Delish can be made in your slow cooker, you can make it all year long without needing to stand over a stove. If you like Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup, you gotta try this one.

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Buffalo wings

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Of course, we need to include Buffalo wings in this list. We’d include them in any chicken-related slideshow, but especially this one, as Buffalo wings can be made in your slow cooker—partially, at least. Spend with Pennies has a fryer-free crock pot recipe that only requires about 10 minutes of broiling in the oven.

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Chicken alfredo

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Creamy and oh-so-comforting, making chicken alfredo can be a cinch with your slow cooker. And this version from Easy Chicken Recipes is made entirely in one pot—no pasta-boiling necessary! (Note: Yes, this alfredo recipe includes heavy cream, and yes, we are aware that’s not the authentic Italian way to prepare this dish…but neither is making it in a slow cooker!)

4 of 20

Chicken and broccoli

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Take out requires taking out a lot more money from your wallet, so put the phone down and pick up your slow cooker instead. This chicken and broccoli recipe from Show Me the Yummy is cheaper and tastier than anything you can order, and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.

5 of 20

Chicken and dumplings

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This crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe from Spend with Penniesis so easy that we make it all the time—really! Just put the chicken breast, onion, and a mixture of cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, parsley, poultry seasoning, and pepper into the slow cooker for four hours. Then mix in your veggies, add some biscuit dough on top, cook for another hour, and enjoy!

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Chicken cacciatore

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This Italian classic is a hearty meal, as evidenced by its name—in Italian, cacciatore means “hunter,” and this dish was first served to hungry hunters. It consists of chicken cooked in olive oil with garlic, tomatoes, onions, and often bell peppers. This version from Well Plated by Erin also includes mushrooms!

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Chicken marsala

Feeling like chicken tonight? 20 slow cooker chicken recipes (7)

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Some chicken marsala recipes include butter or cream, but not this one from Well Plated by Erin, as using a slow cooker allows the sauce to thicken and reach the perfect consistency over time. Serve this magnificent marsala over pasta or atop crusty bread.

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Chicken parmesan

Feeling like chicken tonight? 20 slow cooker chicken recipes (8)

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If you were intrigued by the aforementioned alfredo recipe but prefer a red sauce, then we have the dish for you. This chicken parmesan from the Magical Slow Cooker first combines the chicken and sauce, followed by the pasta (which you’ll need to boil separately this time), and then the cheese on top. Chicken parm without an oven? Sì!

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Chicken pot pie

Feeling like chicken tonight? 20 slow cooker chicken recipes (9)

Elena Veselova / Shutterstock.com

Chicken pot pie in the crock pot? Won’t the crust get all soggy? Yes. Yes, it will. The trick is making the filling—chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots, and corn—in the slow cooker and then baking some flaky biscuits instead of pie crust. For meal prep, we like to cook a big batch of the filling ahead of time, and then make freshly baked biscuits using some refrigerated dough each time we have a meal. Spend with Pennies has the recipe.

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Chicken tikka masala

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You may have had chicken tikka masala before, but have you ever had it from a slow cooker? Now is your chance, as you can easily make this Indian dish at home thanks to The Chunky Chef. Be prepared to ransack your spice rack, especially if you’re making your garam masala from scratch!

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Honey mustard chicken

Feeling like chicken tonight? 20 slow cooker chicken recipes (11)

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Instead of actual honey mustard, this recipe from Slow Cooking Perfected uses a combination of honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, garlic, and Tabasco sauce. Top your chicken with the sauce, cook on low, add a cornstarch-and-water mix, and cook on high to finish.

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Lemon garlic chicken

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If you have chicken and lemons on hand, you might have everything you need for this lemon garlic chicken from Tasty. The remaining ingredients—garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and a chicken stock cube—are hopefully already in your spice cabinet.

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Pulled chicken sandwich

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Charles Brutlag / Shutterstock.com

Sandwiches are our favorite use for barbecue pulled chicken, but you can also eat it on its own (with sides, of course), in tacos, atop mac & cheese, or even on a pizza. Cooking pulled chicken in a slow cooker can be as easy as putting some chicken in a pot and adding barbecue sauce, but this recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen has a little more substance to it.

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Rotisserie chicken

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Michael Leslie / Shutterstock.com

Slow cookers are so big that you can fit a whole chicken inside one—so why not just cook the chicken that way? Damn Delicious will dole out the details for this dish, which only requires celery, carrots, onions, a mixture of common seasonings, and 4-5 hours in the crock pot. Like your chicken crispy? Broil the whole thing for 4-5 minutes.

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Salsa chicken

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Picture this: You defrosted some chicken breast overnight, wake up in the morning, but don’t have any time to even think about dinner plans. Our solution? Throw the chicken in the slow cooker, add some salsa, and turn it on low. Eight hours later, your salsa chicken will be ready for any number of uses—tacos, quesadillas, or just over rice—and you’ll have more time to kick back and relax after work. You probably don’t need a recipe, but here’s one from Gimme Some Oven just in case.

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Sticky chicken wings

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The made-from-scratch sauce really makes this slow cooker sticky chicken wings recipe from Damn Delicious. It consists of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, honey, garlic, Sriracha, and a few spices. (Note: You’ll need your oven, too, but only for 2-3 minutes of broiling.)

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Tortellini soup

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This one is sort of like chicken noodle soup, except the noodles are actually those little pockets of cheesy heaven known as tortellini. Carrots, celery, onion, and some spices play supporting roles in this recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.

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Tortilla soup

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Elena Shashkina / Shutterstock.com

Full of flavor and texture, this tortilla soup from Spend with Pennies is a collaboration of chicken, corn, tomatoes, black beans, jalapenos, cilantro, garlic, and onion, and can be made almost entirely in your slow cooker. The exception: You’ll still need your stove to fry up the crispy tortilla strips!

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Tuscan chicken

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With just 10 minutes of prep, you can cook juicy chicken breasts in a creamy sauce bursting with the flavors of garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan. A meal this simple can only be made in a slow cooker, which is exactly the case for this Tuscan chicken from The Recipe Rebel. Try it over pasta!

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White chicken chili

Feeling like chicken tonight? 20 slow cooker chicken recipes (20)

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Here’s a hearty and filling chili—with no tomatoes in sight. This white chicken chili from The Chunky Chef instead features great northern beans, whole kernel corn, and diced green chiles in a creamy broth made from both half & half and cream cheese.

Feeling like chicken tonight? 20 slow cooker chicken recipes (2024)

FAQs

Does chicken get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

That is why tough meats become “fork tender” in the slow cooker. Chicken breasts have very little connective tissue; that means they can be cooked quickly because the long cooking time needed to soften connective tissue isn't necessary. They also have little fat, which means they can become dry if cooked too long.

Why is my chicken tough after cooking in crockpot? ›

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. Each of our meals comes with a recommended slow cooker size.

Can you overcook chicken in slow cooker? ›

You can overcook chicken in a slow cooker. If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry and tough. Check your chicken for doneness early, especially if it is one of your first times making it.

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.

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

We found that the only way to cook chicken (and turkey) in a slow cooker is on the low setting and for a relatively short amount of time.

Is it okay to put raw chicken in a 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!

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the crockpot? ›

Chicken pieces, particularly chicken thighs and legs, will dry out less quickly and maintain their texture best when layered on top of other ingredients. Plus, this helps to flavor the entire dish as the chicken cooks and releases juices.

How to stop chicken falling apart in a slow cooker? ›

Not if you're using a leaner cut in the slow cooker, like chicken breast or pork chops. To help keep these cuts moist, decrease the cook time to 2-4 hours. While it cooks, check out our collection of crockpot chicken breast recipes.

Can I leave chicken in the slow cooker 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 do I know if my crockpot chicken is done? ›

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.

Does chicken need to be submerged in a slow cooker? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. 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.

Do you have to brown chicken before putting in a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

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

Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point.

Is it safe to leave a crockpot on low overnight? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? 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.

Can I slow cook chicken for 8 hours? ›

Put everything in a slow cooker and give it a toss to evenly distribute seasonings. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through.

How long does it take for chicken breast to get tender in crockpot? ›

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!

Can you leave chicken in the slow cooker too long? ›

Mushy, mealy, stringy chicken, which is sometimes the result of cooking low and slow for an extended period of time. I've learned this the hard way, after many attempts at cooking chicken in the crockpot on a workday, for 8 plus hours at a time.

Does meat get softer the longer you cook it in slow cooker? ›

Collagen makes meat tough when cooked quickly, but when slow-cooked, it breaks down into gelatin, giving you that juicy, tender mouthfeel. Fattier — and cheaper — cuts of beef can also be good for slow cooking, because the fat helps to ensure the beef won't dry out while adding extra flavour.

How to keep chicken moist in a crockpot? ›

Using a nice, long, low-and-slow cook time helps chicken breasts retain plenty of moisture - but you can certainly opt to add a splash of water or chicken stock to the crockpot if you like! If you're worried about dry chicken, you can also swap boneless skinless chicken thighs in for a bit of extra moisture.

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