Practically effortless, completely delicious, and satisfyingly delicious, this collection of slow cooker chicken recipes are packed with flavor with minimal effort. And, since they can all be made with minimal prep, minimal ingredients, and minimal effort, you’ll save time without sacrificing flavor.
Robyn’s Time-Saving Notes
As a time-saving habits expert, I love easy chicken recipes that can be made in the slow cooker, especially since the low and slow cooking method of the crockpot transforms the chicken into tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Slow cooker recipes are also excellent for anyone with a busy schedule who still wants healthy, nourishing meals to come home to. Especially if you’re looking to add more protein to your diet, slow cooker chicken recipes can’t be beat (and check out my ultimate guide of 60+ high protein slow cooker recipes for more ideas).
Like most of my dump and go slow cooker recipes, these chicken breast recipes are easy to prep and use common pantry and fridge ingredients, so there are few obstacles getting in the way of a nutritious and yummy dinner!
Cooking Frozen Chicken in the Crock Pot
The USDA does not recommend putting frozen chicken in the crockpot for safety reasons.Instead, they recommend safely thawing chicken prior to cooking in the slow cooker. However, many of the slow cooker recipes I share here can be frozen after cooking and easily reheated, or prepped ahead, making them great meal prep options!
Effortless Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
5 stars (12 ratings)
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
The easiest, most delicious slow cooker chicken recipe yet! Slow cooker honey garlic chicken requires only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to produce sweet, savory, and sticky chicken.
Ingredients: soy sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, boneless chicken thighs (or boneless skinless chicken breasts), cornstarch.
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5 stars (59 ratings)
6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken
This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
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5 stars (107 ratings)
Easy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Crockpot white chicken chili is an easy prep, dump and go recipe, made with healthy ingredients and deliciously creamy without any dairy. Also includes Instant Pot and Stovetop instructions!
Ingredients: chicken breast, stock, white beans, mild green chilis, salsa verde, onion, garlic powder, cumin, cream cheese (traditional or dairy-free).
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4.96 stars (47 ratings)
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili (Dump and Go)
This easy dump-and-go slow cooker chicken chili is made with just 6 simple pantry ingredients. You won’t believe how delicious easy can be! Also includes stovetop and Instant Pot instructions.
Ingredients: chicken, tomato sauce, beans, salsa, cumin, garlic and salt.
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5 stars (7 ratings)
Easiest Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)
Get delicious, fall-off-the-bone meat with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe that just uses 4 ingredients!
Ingredients: smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, chicken drumsticks, BBQ sauce.
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5 stars (10 ratings)
Slow Cooker Satay Chicken
Slow cooker satay chicken is a flavorful, versatile, and simple recipe that the whole family will love!
Ingredients: chicken, salt, peanut butter, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce.
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5 stars (6 ratings)
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Friends, these are the best slow cooker chicken tacos ever! I know there are a lot of slow cooker chicken taco recipes out there, but my recipe is simple, uses only 6 ingredients, and tastes incredibly fresh. The ultimate time-saving recipe, it's a dump-and-go recipe you'll turn to week in and week out.
Ingredients: garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, chicken, salsa.
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5 stars (12 ratings)
Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken (5-Ingredients!)
With a short list of simple, real food ingredients this slow cooker green chili chicken is an easy and flavorful meal prep protein. Plus, there are so many ways you can use this chicken, you won’t get bored!
Ingredients: chicken, tomatillo salsa, salt, cream cheese, diced green chilis
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5 stars (11 ratings)
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Slow cooker Greek chicken combines ingredients you have on hand to create a fresh, delicious meal you can use in a number of ways.
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, chicken breast
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5 stars (2 ratings)
Easy Chicken Vegetable Soup
This easy chicken vegetable soup recipe is simple to make with easy to find ingredients, yet tastes like it’s from your favorite restaurant. Includes stovetop and slow cooker instructions, too!
Ingredients: chicken tenders, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, Russet potatoes, garlic powder, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, green beans, corn, peas, bay leaf, olive oil and salt.
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5 stars (27 ratings)
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
This easy slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is simple to make with basic ingredients and is a quick-prep dump-and-go slow cooker recipe you'll love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), chicken stock, corn tortillas, avocado oil, onion, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, fire roasted tomatoes with green chilis, garlic powder, mild chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, lime juice and salt.
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5 stars (12 ratings)
Easy Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken
Easy to make and oh-so satisfying, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas! It’s elevated by the most flavorful homemade cilantro lime sauce and can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic cloves, cumin, avocado oil, honey (optional) and salt.
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5 stars (12 ratings)
Crockpot BBQ Chicken (2-Ingredients!)
This wildly easy 2-ingredient crockpot bbq chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
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5 stars (11 ratings)
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup
Brimming with sweet corn, succulent chicken, and hearty potatoes, this easy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a simple dump-and-go recipe. Since you can use fresh or frozen corn, this soup is perfect for any time of year!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), sweet corn (fresh or frozen), chicken stock, celery, carrots, onions, yellow waxy potatoes, garlic, cream cheese (traditional or plant-based) and salt.
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4.84 stars (6 ratings)
3-Ingredient Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
The easiest, most delicious, crazy simple recipe, 3-Ingredient Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes is your new go-to for weeknight cooking.Everything cooks at once, so dinner’s done in minutes! Gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, paleo, and Whole30 friendly.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), salsa, Russet potatoes and salt.
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4.91 stars (10 ratings)
Crockpot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup
Simple to make and bursting with fresh summer flavors, Crockpot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup is perfect any time of year. A great recipe for all your farmer’s market finds, and paleo and Whole30 friendly, too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), chicken stock, zucchini, tomato sauce, leafy greens, onion, chili powder, cumin and other seasonings
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4.95 stars (51 ratings)
Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder (Crockpot, Instant Pot, Stovetop!)
Light, healthy, and bursting with flavor this Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder makes for an easy weeknight dinner or for anytime. Can easily be made in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), baby potatoes, celery, cauliflower, onion, chicken stock, coconut milk (or cream), lemon juice, turmeric and other seasonings
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5 stars (21 ratings)
Instant Pot + Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Stew (with Vegetarian Option)
Packed with protein and veggies, this hearty Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Stew is easy to throw together and makes the perfect one-pot meal. Includes directions for making in your pressure cooker or Instant Pot!
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), stock, potatoes, carrot, celery, onion, fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder and other seasonings
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5 stars (13 ratings)
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies
A versatile, filling, one-pot meal, slow cooker ranch chicken and veggies is made with a simple homemade ranch seasoning blend, chicken, carrots, and potatoes; making for an easy dinner recipe everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts, chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, yogurt (traditional or plant-based), mayo, apple cider vinegar, homemade ranch seasoning.
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4.93 stars (42 ratings)
Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken
Naturally sweet, tangy and oh-so delicious, Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken is a breeze to throw together and makes for a healthy dinner everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, gluten-free tamari, honey, grated ginger, canned crushed pineapple, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
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5 stars (28 ratings)
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Crave-worthy Buffalo chicken gets a dairy-free makeover!Stuffed inside a tender sweet potato, and done completely in the slow cooker, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken & Sweet Potatoes is your answer to dinner tonight.
Ingredients: chicken breasts, sweet potatoes, hot sauce, mayo, lime juice, coconut oil and salt
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5 stars (34 ratings)
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with 5-Ingredient Peanut Sauce
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with 5-Ingredient Peanut Sauce is a crave-worthy dinner that can be prepped in minutes!
Ingredients: chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, peanut butter, garlic, maple syrup, vinegar and other spices.
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4.95 stars (37 ratings)
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken
Bright, tangy, and wildly simple to make, Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken is a no-fuss weeknight dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients: chicken, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic
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5 stars (7 ratings)
Quick & Easy Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
This crustless version of classic chicken pot pie has all of the comforting flavors of the original dish, but with much less effort required. This quick and easy dinner is ready within 30 minutes using one pan – a skillet! Naturally gluten-free and can easily be made dairy free.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), frozen vegetable blend, celery, onion, chicken stock, cream or canned coconut milk, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, olive oil, arrowroot powder and salt.
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4.97 stars (29 ratings)
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Chicken (5-Ingredients!)
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Chicken is simple to prepare and yields super tender chicken in a sweet and savory sauce that everyone in the family will love.
Ingredients: chicken, apples, apple cider, onion, garlic powder and salt.
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5 stars (13 ratings)
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes and Basil
This healthy slow cooker balsamic chicken with tomatoes and basil is a fresh, easy meal that draws on the flavors of bruschetta for a simple, flavorful meal everyone will love. It’s one of those recipes that we find ourselves making on repeat week after week!
Ingredients: chicken, roma or cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt.
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5 stars (26 ratings)
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken
The perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients: chicken, onion, bell pepper, salsa, lime juice and salt
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5 stars (7 ratings)
Slow Cooker Chicken, Black Bean, and Quinoa Stew
Super easy to prepare, Slow Cooker Chicken, Black Bean, and Quinoa Stew is full of hearty, nourishing ingredients and will be a hit with the entire family. The perfect healthy dinner recipe in a hurry!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), canned black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes & green chilis, quinoa, chicken stock, carrots, onion, lime juice, cumin and other seasonings
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4.96 stars (42 ratings)
Slow Cooker Chicken, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup is packed with protein and veggies and is so easy to make with a short list of simple ingredients. Your new paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, whole30, healthy go-to crockpot recipe!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), sweet potatoes, lacinato kale, chicken stock, extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning
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5 stars (6 ratings)
Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew
This simple recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew is healthy, hearty and so delicious!
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), stock, quinoa, zucchini, corn, garlic, onion, carrots, chickpeas, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and other spices
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4.98 stars (45 ratings)
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil combines juicy peaches, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil for an easy, flavorful dinner anytime. Easy enough to throw together on a weeknight, this one’s bound to become a new family-favorite recipe!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, balsamic vinegar, peaches, basil, garlic powder and salt.
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5 stars (2 ratings)
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew + 30+ Effortless Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 5 hours hrs
Total: 5 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Packed with protein and veggies, this hearty Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Stew is easy to throw together and makes the perfect one-pot meal. Plus 30+ effortless slow cooker chicken breast recipes.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs*
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped yellow or red waxy potato
- 1 15-oz can diced fire-roasted tomato
- 1 6-oz can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, dried herb mix
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 32 oz chicken stock, or vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Just before serving:
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder, can substitute cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
To serve:
- Extra virgin olive oil, for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
Equipment
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
Add the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, potato, tomato, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, granulated garlic, stock, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on high until the chicken and veggies are cooked through, about 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low (times vary depending on slow cooker).
Mix together the water, arrowroot powder, and balsamic until smooth. Pour mixture into the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Cover and cook on high an additional 5 minutes until the stew begins to thicken.
Remove the chicken and shred or dice. Add back to the slow cooker, stir, and taste, adding additional salt if desired. Serve warm with a generous drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground pepper.
Author: Robyn Conley Downs
Course: dinner, Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 208kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 364mg, Potassium: 693mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 3673IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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