Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes | Crockpot Dinners

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If you are looking for easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes, this list offers simple dinners to make your week a little easier. You will find everything from comforting chicken soups and stews to shredded chicken, creamy pasta dishes, and complete family meals.

collage for 3 slow cooker chicken dishes.

Before I get into the recipes, you may be wondering about the difference between a slow cooker and a Crock-Pot. This confused me too when I first came to the United States at 19. Crock-Pot is a slow cooker brand, but people often use the terms interchangeably. Every recipe in this roundup can be made in a standard slow cooker, whether yours is made by Crock-Pot or another brand.

As a mom of five, I know how helpful it is to have dinner cooking while I handle everything else. I really love slow cooker recipes on days when I know the evening will be busy. I can get everything started earlier, and I don’t have to start making dinner when everyone is already hungry.

Choosing a Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe

Before choosing a recipe, think about how you plan to serve the chickenThink about how you plan to serve the chicken before choosing a recipe.

For a complete dinner, look for recipes that include vegetables, rice, pasta, or potatoes. Shredded chicken recipes are great for tacos, sandwiches, salads, and meal prep. Chicken soups and stews are especially good when you want something warm and comforting.

You can also choose based on the cut of chicken you have. Chicken thighs stay moist during longer cooking times, while chicken breasts work well when they are cooked just until tender and have enough sauce or broth to keep them from drying out.

My Slow Cooker Chicken Tips

Avoid lifting the lid while the chicken cooks. Every time you lift it, the heat escapes, and the cooking time may increase.
Chicken thighs are more forgiving during long cooking times and tend to stay juicier than chicken breasts.
If you are using chicken breasts, check them as soon as the recipe’s minimum cooking time is reached. They can dry out if you cook them for too long.
Arrange the chicken in an even layer whenever possible so it cooks evenly.
Add dairy ingredients such as cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt towards the end unless the recipe specifically says otherwise.
Do not be tempted to add extra liquid. Slow cookers hold in moisture, and many recipes need less liquid than stovetop versions.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
If a sauce is too thin, remove the lid near the end or stir in a cornstarch slurry when the recipe allows it.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners

Here are some of my simple and easy slow cooker (crockpot) chicken recipes I make my family all the time.

chicken alfredo with penne pasta served in a round white bowl.

5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

This Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo couldn’t be easier! Marinated chicken chunks are slow-cooked in an irresistible combination of cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan, and garlic until tender and flavorful

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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

These Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, and coated in a sweet, smoky maple chipotle sauce. The chicken is slightly seared before going into the slow cooker, then cooked low and slow until tender and full of flavor.

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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is comfort in a bowl! The crockpot does the hard work for you, perfectly cooking the chunky veggies and tender chicken while creating a rich, flavorful sauce.

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a slow cooker filled with cooked chicken and rice.

5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is a nutritious, hands-off dinner that’s all cooked together in a crockpot. Featuring tender chunks of chicken breast, a generous helping of diced veggies, and a wild rice blend steamed in a savory chicken broth.

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5 from 7 votes

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Burger

This homemade Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Burger is so easy to make and filled with flavorful, tangy flavors you will love.

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top view of a white round bowl of split pea soup with a spoon in the bowl on the right side

5 from 3 votes

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with chicken is the perfect comfort food to warm you up. Full of vegetables, flavored with Italian seasoning, and slow-cooked to perfection.

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chicken curry over white rice in a bowl.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

This super simple Slow Cooker Chicken Curry is packed with flavor and really easy to make. The tomato and coconut milk sauce is infused with garlic, ginger, onion, and spices for a fast dinner that you’ll want to eat on repeat.

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Using the Crockpot

Even though a crockpot is a slow cooker, here are some of the recipes you will find under “crockpot”

side close up shot of a white crockpot with creamy Swedish meatballs

5 from 1 vote

Crockpot Swedish Meatballs

Crockpot Swedish Meatballs are seared, then slow-cooked in a rich, savory cream sauce.

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top view of chicken fajitas in a crockpot

5 from 22 votes

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas is a hassle-free dinner that the whole family will love. Made with tender, marinated chicken, colorful veggies, and tons of flavor.

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Hand shredding cooked BBQ chicken with two forks inside a white crockpot.

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Crockpot BBQ Shredded Chicken

This Crockpot BBQ Shredded Chicken is juicy, smoky, and saucy with just the right hint of sweetness. Made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts simmered in a homemade barbecue sauce.

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5 from 1 vote

Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

This Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie has all the flavors of a classic pot pie, with minimal effort! The flavorful mixture of rotisserie chicken and veggies slow-cooks in a creamy sauce until everything is perfectly cooked.

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Common Questions

Is a Crock-Pot the same as a slow cooker?

Crock-Pot is a brand of slow cooker. Most recipes that call for a Crock-Pot can be prepared in another brand of slow cooker with similar settings.

Can I put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes. Raw chicken can cook safely in a slow cooker as long as it is fully thawed and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

Can I put frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

It is best to thaw chicken before slow cooking it. Frozen chicken may take too long to thaw before it reaches a safe cooking temperature.

How do I keep chicken from drying out?

Use enough sauce or cooking liquid, avoid overcooking, and check the chicken as soon as the recipe suggests. Chicken thighs are also a good choice if you need a recipe that can cook for several hours.

Is it better to cook chicken on low or high?

Both settings can work when you follow the individual recipe. Cooking on low heat works well for chicken thighs and recipes that need longer cooking time. Chicken breasts may benefit from a shorter cooking time so they do not dry out.

Can I prepare slow-cooker chicken the night before?

You can chop vegetables and prepare sauces the night before. Keep the ingredients covered in the refrigerator, then transfer them to the slow cooker in the morning. Don’t leave raw chicken in the slow cooker at room temperature.

How long does slow cooker chicken last in the refrigerator?

Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Follow the individual recipe’s storage instructions if it contains rice, pasta, dairy, or other ingredients.

collage for 4 dishes for slow cooker chicken recipes.

More Recipe Roundup

I hope this list makes it a little easier to decide what to make for dinner. Whether you call them slow cooker chicken recipes or crockpot chicken recipes, they all have the same goal: to help you get a delicious and satisfying meal on the table with less hands-on work.