Weeknight Magic: 10 Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes That Never Fail

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Introduction

Looking for simple and tasty slow cooker chicken recipes to make your life easier? Whether you’re a beginner starting out with crock pot chicken recipes or a seasoned chef of crock pot dinners, this list makes it easy and provides plenty of variety for your kitchen. From classic crock pot chicken favorites to bold new ideas, these dishes are perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken thighs to the bottom of your slow cooker.
  2. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour in chicken broth and rice.
  4. Top with carrots (add peas in the last 30 minutes).
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until chicken is tender and rice is ready.
  6. Stir everything together before serving.

Tip: For creamier texture, stir in ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese just before serving.

2. Crock Pot Creamy Mushroom Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 8 oz sliced mushrooms
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

If you love hearty, comforting meals, check out these stuffed chicken breast recipes for even more satisfying dinner ideas.”

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
  2. Mix soup, mushrooms, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  3. Pour over chicken.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours.
  5. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Tip: Replace soup with a homemade mushroom sauce if avoiding canned goods.

3. BBQ Pulled Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken to the slow cooker.
  2. Mix barbecue sauce, vinegar, sugar, and paprika. Pour over the chicken.
  3. Add the lid and cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Shred chicken with forks and stir into the sauce.
  5. Serve on buns, over rice, or with coleslaw.

Tip: Use a low-sugar or no-sugar barbecue sauce for a healthier option.

Do you think you’re looking for something lighter? Our collection of healthy chicken recipes for weight loss includes slow cooker options that are big on flavor but light on calories.

4. Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 packet of taco seasoning
  • 1 cup salsa (heat level depends on you)

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken to the slow cooker.
  2. Add taco seasoning and pour salsa over the top.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Shred chicken and mix with sauce.
  5. Serve in taco shells or over rice.

Tip: For a creamier texture, stir in ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt before serving.

5. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 cups egg noodles (add later)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients except noodles to the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6–7 hours.
  3. Remove chicken, shred, and discard bones. Return the meat to the pot.
  4. Add noodles and set to high for 20–30 minutes more.
  5. Serve hot.

Tip: Bone-in chicken adds more flavor and collagen.
Source: Cleveland Clinic – https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-bone-broth

6. Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 12 oz cooked fettuccine pasta

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken, cream, garlic powder, and salt to the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 5–6 hours.
  3. Remove and shred chicken.
  4. Stir in Parmesan and cooked pasta.
  5. Let it sit for 10 minutes to thicken.

Tip: For a lower-fat version, use evaporated milk and low-fat cheese.

7. Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground ginger

Instructions:

  1. Combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
  2. Add chicken to the pot, and pour in the sauce.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch as desired before serving.

Tip: Serve with rice and steamed broccoli for a balanced meal.

8. Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 box stuffing mix
  • 1 can of cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth

Instructions:

  1. Lay chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
  2. Mix soup, sour cream, and broth. Spread over the chicken.
  3. Top with dry stuffing mix.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
  5. Fluff and serve.

Tip: Add green beans or corn for a one-pot meal.

9. Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 cup diced potatoes
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add ingredients into the slow cooker and mix well.
  2. Cook on low for 7 hours or until vegetables are tender.
  3. Serve with rice or naan.

Tip: For added nutrition, stir in peas or spinach in the final 15 minutes.

10. Salsa Verde Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts
  • 1 cup salsa verde
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken to the slow cooker.
  2. Mix salsa verde, cumin, and garlic powder and pour over chicken.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Shred and serve in bowls, tacos, or over cauliflower rice.

Tip: Garnish with avocado and cilantro for a fresh finish.

Conclusion

With these flavorful slow cooker chicken breast recipes, dinner practically makes itself. Whether you’re a fan of comforting classics or bold new dishes, these slow cooker chicken meals are full of flavor. No time for slow cooking? Try these quick and easy meals with rotisserie chicken — all flavor, no fuss. Best of all, they make excellent crock pot dinner ideas for any night of the week.

Set it, forget it, and come home to a meal that’s ready to serve.