Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (2024)

Our slow-cooker chicken recipes feature creamy sauces, zesty spices, fresh vegetables and other ideas for preparing chicken dinners, soups and stews.

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Jalapeño Chicken Breasts

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (1)

Chili powder and sliced pickled jalapeño chile pepper turn up the heat on these slow-cooked chicken breasts. Add a cream cheese sauce before serving, and sprinkle with bacon, if you like.

Favorite Chicken Recipes

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Red Bean, Chicken, and Sweet Potato Stew

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (2)

Vitamin-rich sweet potatoes and creamy peanut butter complement spicy Cajun seasoning in this easy chicken slow-cooker stew.

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Slow-Cooker Murgh Tari

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (3)

Chicago cookbook author Anupy Singla adapted this deeply spiced, ginger-punched murgh (chicken) tari (sauce) from her husband, who is also Punjabi. The recipe is featured in Singla's cookbook The Indian Slow Cooker.

Short on time? Try the Pressure-Cooker Murgh Tari version of this recipe.

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Super Simple Peachy Barbecue Chicken

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (4)

Just three ingredients produce a rich-flavored, sweet-tangy barbecue sauce for drumsticks.

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Hot and Spicy Braised Peanut Chicken

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (5)

Creamy peanut butter, red curry paste and fresh ginger flavor a Thai-inspired chicken slow-cooker recipe.

So-Good Slow-Cooker Recipes

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Greek Oregano Chicken with Spinach, Orzo and Grape Tomatoes

Rub oregano, parsley and basil on chicken breasts before slow-cooking with spinach and tomatoes in a low-sodium broth. Finish the healthy slow-cooker dinner by serving with cooked orzo and a sprinkling of Parmesan.

25 Healthy Dinner Recipes

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Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (7)

Tetrazzini is a pasta dish with mushrooms and cream sauce. We added black pepper, nutmeg and green onions to our easy slow-cooker version.

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Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Stew

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (8)

Curry and ginger give zesty Indian flavor to the chicken, chickpeas and diced tomatoes in this slow-cooker meal. Stir in fresh spinach leaves just before serving for added color and nutrition.

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Angel Chicken

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (9)

Chicken and fresh mushrooms slow-cook in cream cheese, wine and soup. It's easy to put together but tastes like chicken in a complex cream sauce—smooth with delicate seasoning.

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Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (10)

The three-pepper homemade Cajun seasoning adds lots of fiery flavor to this slow-cooker version of jambalaya. We've used no-salt-added and reduced-sodium products to create a healthier main dish.

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Curried Chicken

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (11)

This slow-cooker recipe delivers a world of flavors, with curry playing off of jalapeños, raisins, shredded coconut and sweet peppers.

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Herbed Chicken and Mushrooms

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (12)

Love mushrooms? Pick your favorite type or mix and match for this slow-cooker recipe. Serve chicken and vegetables over pasta drizzled with cooking juices.

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Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (13)

This 170-calorie slow-cooker version of a classic comfort food takes just 25 minutes of prep and uses reduced-fat cream cheese in its creamy homemade broth.

Hearty Slow-Cooker Soups, Stews and Chilies

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Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (14)

Cranberry sauce combined with tapioca and onion soup simmers to perfection in this five-ingredient main dish recipe, a slow-cooker version of an oven classic. Serve over rice to complete the meal.

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Wild Rice and Chicken Soup

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (15)

Mix a can of cream of chicken soup, mushrooms, veggies and rice mix for the soup base. Any boneless cooked chicken works in this recipe, but chicken thighs, with more moisture from fat, slow-cook the best.

Chicken Thigh Recipes to Try Tonight

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Garlic Chicken with Artichokes

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (16)

Garlic alone is enough to amp up chicken's tastiness, but adding artichokes to the slow cooker takes this dish to the next level.

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Mango-Chicken Tinga

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (17)

Ground chipotle chili pepper and fire-roasted diced tomatoes add just the right amount of heat to this tropical take on slow-cooker chicken. We like it served with fresh pineapple wedges, lime wedges and Mexican crema.

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Chicken Cacciatore

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (18)

Serve this slow-cooked Italian classic with plenty of pasta to sop up the chunky sauce, full of fresh mushrooms, celery, carrots, onions, sweet peppers, diced tomatoes and garlic.

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Cuban Arroz con Pollo

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (19)

The classic Latin American dish of chicken and rice gets a modern makeover with the help of a slow cooker and some nutrition upgrades like brown rice and extra vegetables. Anchiote powder gives the dish a slightly tart flavor and brilliant yellow-red hue.

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Nacho Cheese Chicken Chowder

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (20)

This five-ingredient chowder goes together in minutes and then cooks two hours on high or four to five hours on low in your slow-cooker. Serve with breadsticks for dipping.

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Chicken Chili

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (21)

Chicken, chopped vegetables and canned beans make a warm and comforting chili. Our recipe gives variations for Slow Cooker Chicken Chili as well as a spicier Chipotle Chicken Chili.

Warm-You-Up Chili Recipes

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Chicken Cassoulet-Style Soup

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (22)

This five-ingredient slow-cooker recipe features hearty chunks of smoked turkey sausage and chicken cooked with a red wine pasta sauce broth and cannellini beans.

Family-Favorite Soups and Stews

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Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (23)

Make this classic comfort food in your slow cooker with chicken thighs and a mix of fresh and frozen veggies, then top with piecrust pieces browned in the oven just before you serve the dish.

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Easy Italian Chicken

Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (24)

Purchased spaghetti sauce, cabbage wedges, onion and mushrooms combine for a no-fuss, flavorful chicken dish.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Main Dish Recipes (2024)

FAQs

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.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

Does meat get more tender the longer you cook it 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.

Do you need to put liquid in the slow cooker when cooking chicken? ›

Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

Is 3 hours in slow cooker enough for 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 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 long does it take for chicken to cook on high in a 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!

Why is my chicken tough after cooking in the crockpot? ›

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

How long should you slow cook chicken? ›

Chicken Breast Cooking Times

Cook boneless chicken breasts in slow cooker on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry and tough, even if you check it early.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook.

Do you put hot or cold water in a slow cooker? ›

The cooking time should not be effected if you don't take too long. Adding cold water will slow down the cooking process so add hot water, but not boiling water.

Can you put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

What liquid do you put in a slow cooker? ›

To ensure the dinner cooks correctly and doesn't get soggy, decrease the amount of liquids you add. Usually only ½ to 1 cup of liquid does the trick. And, for extra flavorful results, try using liquid like broth, wine, or juice, instead of just plain water.

Can you leave chicken in a slow cooker all night? ›

As long as the temperature remains above 140 F you can leave your chicken in the cooker all day but try to avoid more than 12 hours…

How do you know when slow cooked chicken is done? ›

Poke the Meat

This method applies to chicken specifically. For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.

What happens if you leave chicken in 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.

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

A general rule of thumb from Luis Sanchez, senior category manager for the appliance manufacturer Breville: To go from "High" to "Low" (or vice versa), multiply (or divide) the original time by 1.5 to 2.5 hours. And as with the cooking times for specific ingredients, these times are approximate.

Is 3 hours on high the same as 6 hours on low? ›

Change cooking times depending on your schedule. One hour on HIGH generally equals two hours on LOW.

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the 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!

Should chicken be cooked at high or low temperature? ›

The minimum oven temperature to use when cooking chicken is 325 °F (162.8° C). Using a food thermometer is the only sure way of knowing if your food has reached a high enough temperature to destroy foodborne bacteria.

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