5 Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes You'll Love

The quest for quick and tasty meals often leads home cooks to the trusty slow cooker. Not only does it require minimal supervision, but it also creates dishes that are both flavorful and convenient, especially for busy weeknights. In this post, we'll explore five delicious slow cooker chicken recipes that are not only easy to prepare but also guaranteed to impress your taste buds. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned chef, these recipes will offer you variety, simplicity, and a delicious dinner.

1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

The charm of comfort food is undeniable, and nothing says comfort like chicken and dumplings. Here’s how to make this classic dish in your slow cooker:

• Ingredients:
  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • ¹⁄₂ cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 16 oz can of buttermilk biscuits (for dumplings)
• Preparation:
  1. Place the chicken, vegetables, broth, soup, milk, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  3. Shred the chicken with two forks inside the cooker.
  4. Cut the biscuits into quarters and stir into the cooker; cook on high for an additional 30 minutes or until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

💡 Note: For a healthier option, you can use a homemade broth or a low-sodium canned version to control the salt content of your dish.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Introduce a bit of Mexican flair to your slow cooker with this vibrant enchilada soup. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 can of red enchilada sauce
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded cheese for topping
  • Cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and tortilla strips for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Combine all ingredients except cheese and garnishes in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  3. Shred the chicken inside the cooker and stir to combine.
  4. Serve hot, topped with cheese, and garnished as desired.

🍲 Note: Feel free to add more chilies or a dash of cayenne pepper for some extra heat.

3. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet and savory, this honey garlic chicken recipe will become a weeknight favorite:

• Ingredients:
  • 6-8 chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless
  • ¹⁄₃ cup honey
  • ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional for heat)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¹⁄₄ cup water
• Preparation:
  1. Mix honey, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic, and basil in a bowl.
  2. Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour the honey mixture over it.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
  4. Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the cooker to thicken the sauce. Cook for an additional 30 minutes on high.

4. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Exotic and comforting, this slow cooker version of the classic Indian dish is perfect for those craving something different:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  • ¹⁄₂ cup cilantro, chopped
• Preparation:
  1. Combine all ingredients except the cream and cilantro in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  3. Add cream or coconut milk and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes.
  4. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

🌶 Note: Adjust the amount of garam masala to suit your taste for spiciness.

5. Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

This tangy and aromatic dish is both refreshing and fulfilling:

• Ingredients:
  • 4-6 chicken breasts or thighs
  • Juice and zest of 2 lemons
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • ¹⁄₂ cup chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper
• Preparation:
  1. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
  2. Whisk together the lemon juice, zest, garlic, oregano, broth, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken.
  3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  4. Serve with sides of your choice.

These slow cooker chicken recipes offer a spectrum of flavors from comforting classics to exotic dishes. They cater to various culinary preferences and dietary needs, providing easy, hands-off cooking solutions for any day of the week. Embrace the slow cooker as your ally in the kitchen to create delicious, home-cooked meals that require little effort yet yield satisfying results.

Can I use frozen chicken in my slow cooker?

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Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time by about 50% to ensure it’s cooked through thoroughly. Always check the internal temperature to make sure it reaches 165°F (75°C).

How do I thicken the sauce in a slow cooker recipe?

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To thicken the sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with an equal amount of water to create a slurry, then stir this into the slow cooker towards the end of the cooking time and let it cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes.

Are slow cooker recipes healthier?

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Slow cooker recipes can be healthy because they allow for minimal oil usage, and cooking slowly at low temperatures preserves nutrients. However, the healthiness also depends on the ingredients you use and the portion sizes you serve.