Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes: 15 Easy Set-It-and-Forget-It Meals

Slow cooker chicken recipes are my secret weapon for busy weeks. You spend ten minutes in the morning tossing chicken, sauce and a few vegetables into the pot, and by dinnertime the whole house smells like you’ve been cooking all day. No babysitting the stove, no pile of pans, and almost no way to mess it up.

I’ve rounded up 15 of the best slow cooker chicken recipes I keep coming back to: creamy, saucy, spicy, cozy and a few that are almost too easy to call a recipe. Whether you call it a slow cooker or a crockpot, every one of these is built for real weeknights.

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Hands-off cooking: prep in the morning, eat at night.
• Budget friendly: slow cooking turns affordable chicken thighs into something that tastes expensive.
• Meal prep gold: shredded slow cooker chicken works in tacos, bowls, salads and sandwiches all week.
• Kid approved: mild, saucy flavors that picky eaters actually finish.
• Fewer dishes: most recipes use the crockpot and nothing else.

Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Choose thighs when you can. Chicken thighs have more fat, so they stay tender over long cooking. Breasts work too, but cook them on LOW and check them early.
• Never start with frozen chicken. Frozen meat spends too long in the temperature danger zone. Thaw it in the fridge overnight first.
• Fill the pot half to two-thirds full. Too little food overcooks and too much cooks unevenly.
• Keep the lid on. Every peek lets heat escape and can add 15 to 20 minutes to the cook time.
• Check the temperature. Chicken is done at 165°F (74°C). The FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature chart is a handy reference, and the USDA has a full guide to slow cookers and food safety.
• Thicken at the end. Slow cookers trap moisture, so sauces can be thin. Stir in a cornstarch slurry for the last 15 to 20 minutes.

15 Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

1. 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

This is the easiest of all the slow cooker chicken recipes on this list. Chicken, salsa and taco seasoning cook into juicy shredded chicken for tacos, burrito bowls and nachos.

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW or 3 hr on HIGH | Serves: 6

• 2 lb (900 g) boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 jar (16 oz / 450 g) salsa
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and sprinkle with taco seasoning.
2. Pour the salsa over the top, cover and cook.
3. Shred with two forks and stir into the juices before serving.

Serve it with my Mexican rice in the rice cooker for an easy burrito bowl night.

2. Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Sticky, sweet and savory, with a sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 4 hr on LOW | Serves: 4

• 2 lb (900 g) boneless chicken thighs
• 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 5 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

1. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic and ginger and pour over the chicken in the crockpot.
2. Cook until tender, then remove the chicken.
3. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce, cook 15 minutes on HIGH until glossy, and return the chicken.

3. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Rich, mildly spiced and creamy, this is one of the slow cooker chicken recipes my family requests most. It tastes like your favorite Indian takeout with a fraction of the work.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 5 hr on LOW | Serves: 6

• 2 lb (900 g) boneless chicken thighs, cubed
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce, 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp garam masala, 1 tsp each cumin and paprika
• 3 tbsp butter, 3/4 cup heavy cream

1. Add the chicken, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, ginger, spices and butter to the slow cooker.
2. Cook until the chicken is tender.
3. Stir in the cream for the last 20 minutes. Serve with rice or naan.

4. Crockpot Chicken Tacos with Lime

Zesty shredded chicken with cumin, chili powder and fresh lime. Of all the slow cooker chicken recipes for Taco Tuesday, this one is my go-to.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW | Serves: 6

• 2 lb (900 g) boneless chicken thighs
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
• Juice of 2 limes, 1 tsp each cumin, chili powder and garlic powder
• Tortillas, cilantro, onion and avocado to serve

1. Season the chicken with the spices and place in the crockpot.
2. Add the tomatoes and lime juice, cover and cook.
3. Shred the chicken and pile it into warm tortillas with your toppings.

5. Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and Parmesan in a garlicky cream sauce. It’s one of the most popular slow cooker chicken recipes for date night at home.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 4 hr on LOW | Serves: 4

• 1.5 lb (680 g) boneless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 2 cups spinach

1. Add the chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, broth and seasoning to the slow cooker.
2. Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F.
3. Stir in the cream cheese, Parmesan and spinach and cook 15 minutes more. Serve over pasta

6. Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken

If you need slow cooker chicken recipes that feed a crowd, start here. Smoky, tangy pulled chicken for sandwiches, sliders and loaded baked potatoes. Great for game day.

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW | Serves: 8

• 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) boneless chicken thighs
• 1.5 cups BBQ sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp smoked paprika

1. Mix the sauce, sugar, vinegar and paprika.
2. Pour over the chicken in the crockpot and cook until very tender.
3. Shred, toss in the sauce and serve on toasted buns with coleslaw.

7. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Better than takeout and made with pantry staples. The leftovers make a great base for fried rice.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 4 hr on LOW | Serves: 4

• 2 lb (900 g) boneless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water, sesame seeds and green onions

1. Whisk the soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic and ginger and pour over the chicken.
2. Cook until tender, then thicken the sauce with the slurry for 15 minutes on HIGH.
3. Slice or shred the chicken and top with sesame seeds and green onions.

Got leftovers? Turn them into my 20-minute spicy chicken fried rice.

8. Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Pure Southern comfort food. Tender chicken in a creamy, herby broth with fluffy biscuit dumplings on top.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW | Serves: 6

• 1.5 lb (680 g) boneless chicken breasts
• 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup, 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 can refrigerated biscuits, cut into quarters

1. Add the chicken, soup, broth, vegetables and thyme to the crockpot and cook 5 hours.
2. Shred the chicken in the pot.
3. Scatter the biscuit pieces on top, cover, and cook 1 hour more until fluffy and cooked through.

9. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

The classic cold-weather cure, and one of the coziest slow cooker chicken recipes you can make. Add the noodles at the end so they don’t go mushy.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW | Serves: 6

• 1.5 lb (680 g) boneless chicken breasts
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 3 carrots, 3 celery stalks, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 2 cups egg noodles

1. Add everything except the noodles to the slow cooker and cook.
2. Remove the chicken, shred it and return it to the pot.
3. Add the noodles and cook on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes until tender.

Pair it with a loaf from my easy Dutch oven bread recipes for dunking.

10. Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Creamy, mildly spicy and packed with white beans and green chiles. It’s a winter favorite for good reason.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW | Serves: 6

• 1.5 lb (680 g) chicken breasts
• 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained
• 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles, 1 cup corn, 1 onion
• 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp each cumin and oregano
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese

1. Add everything except the cream cheese to the crockpot.
2. Cook until the chicken is tender, then shred it.
3. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and top with avocado, cilantro and lime.

11. Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

Bright, fresh and herby, with tender potatoes cooking right underneath the chicken.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 5 hr on LOW | Serves: 4

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 lb (450 g) baby potatoes, halved
• Juice and zest of 2 lemons, 6 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme

1. Place the potatoes in the slow cooker and the seasoned chicken on top.
2. Pour over the lemon juice, zest, garlic, broth and herbs.
3. Cook until tender. For crispy skin, broil the thighs for 3 to 4 minutes before serving.

12. Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoky, a little spicy and loaded with toppings. Crunchy tortilla strips on top make it.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW | Serves: 6

• 1.5 lb (680 g) chicken breasts
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, 1 cup corn, 1 can (14 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth, 1 onion, 1 jalapeño
• 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin

1. Add everything to the slow cooker and cook.
2. Shred the chicken in the pot.
3. Serve topped with tortilla strips, cheese, sour cream and avocado.

13. Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes

A creamy, cheesy one-pot dinner that tastes like a cozy restaurant meal. Kids love it more than most of the slow cooker chicken recipes I make.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 5 hr on LOW | Serves: 4

• 1.5 lb (680 g) chicken breasts
• 1.5 lb (680 g) baby potatoes, halved
• 1 jar (15 oz) garlic Parmesan or Alfredo sauce
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tsp Italian seasoning

1. Place the potatoes in the crockpot, then the chicken.
2. Pour the sauce over the top and sprinkle with seasoning.
3. Cook until tender, then top with Parmesan and fresh parsley.

14. Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken with Chickpeas

This one comes straight from my kitchen in Morocco. Warm spices, sweet apricots and chickpeas slowly melt into a fragrant, tagine-style stew. It’s one of my favorite slow cooker chicken recipes for a cold evening.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 6 hr on LOW | Serves: 6

• 2 lb (900 g) boneless chicken thighs
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained, 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1 onion, grated, 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp each ginger, cumin, cinnamon and turmeric, pinch of saffron (optional)
• 1 cup chicken broth, 1 tbsp honey, fresh cilantro

1. Rub the chicken with the spices and place it in the slow cooker.
2. Add the onion, garlic, chickpeas, apricots, broth and honey.
3. Cook until tender and finish with cilantro. Serve with fluffy couscous.

New to couscous? Follow my authentic Moroccan couscous recipe to serve alongside.

15. Crockpot Whole Chicken

Yes, you can “roast” a whole chicken in the slow cooker. It comes out fall-apart tender, and you get flavorful broth as a bonus.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 6 to 8 hr on LOW | Serves: 4 to 6

• 1 whole chicken, about 4 to 5 lb (1.8 to 2.3 kg)
• 2 onions, thickly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp each garlic powder, thyme and salt
• 1 lemon, halved

1. Line the crockpot with onion slices to lift the chicken off the bottom.
2. Rub the chicken with oil and spices, put the lemon inside, and set it on the onions.
3. Cook until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F. Broil 5 minutes for crispy skin if you like.

Cooking Times for Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

Cut	LOW	HIGH
Boneless chicken breasts	3 to 4 hr	2 to 3 hr
Boneless chicken thighs	4 to 6 hr	2.5 to 3.5 hr
Bone-in thighs or drumsticks	5 to 6 hr	3 to 4 hr
Whole chicken (4 to 5 lb)	6 to 8 hr	4 to 5 hr

Every slow cooker runs a little differently, so treat these as a guide and always check for 165°F.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Rice or couscous for saucy recipes like butter chicken, teriyaki and Moroccan chicken
• Mashed potatoes for creamy Tuscan chicken and chicken and dumplings
• Warm tortillas for salsa chicken and chicken tacos
• Crusty bread or Brazilian cheese bread for soups and chili
• A crisp green salad to balance rich, creamy dishes

Craving something quick on the stovetop instead? My 20-minute garlic butter chicken and sticky gochujang chicken are both on the table faster than you can set it. And for even more cozy ideas, browse my fall chicken recipes.

How to Store and Freeze Slow Cooker Chicken

• Fridge: cool leftovers and refrigerate within 2 hours in airtight containers. They keep for 3 to 4 days.
• Freezer: most of these slow cooker chicken recipes freeze well for up to 3 months, especially the soups, chili, pulled chicken and curries. Cream-heavy sauces may separate a little but come back together when stirred.
• Freezer meal kits: add the raw chicken, sauce and vegetables to a freezer bag, label it and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then dump it into the crockpot in the morning.
• Reheat: warm on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot (165°F). Don’t reheat leftovers in the slow cooker itself, because it heats too slowly.

Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes FAQ

Can I put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes. Raw, thawed chicken is exactly what these slow cooker chicken recipes call for. It cooks safely as long as it reaches 165°F inside.

Can I put frozen chicken in a slow cooker?

No. Frozen chicken heats too slowly and can sit in the bacteria danger zone (40°F to 140°F) for too long. Thaw it in the fridge first.

Is it better to cook chicken on LOW or HIGH in a slow cooker?

LOW gives more tender results, especially for chicken breasts. Use HIGH when you’re short on time, but check the chicken earlier so it doesn’t dry out.

Do you need to add liquid to slow cooker chicken?

Usually only a little. In most slow cooker chicken recipes, the chicken releases a lot of its own juice as it cooks. A half cup of broth or sauce is enough for most recipes.

Why is my slow cooker chicken dry?

It was most likely overcooked, or it was lean breast meat cooked on HIGH. Switch to thighs, cook on LOW, and start checking the temperature at the low end of the time range.

Are crockpot chicken recipes the same as slow cooker chicken recipes?

Yes. Crock-Pot is a popular brand of slow cooker, so the two names are used interchangeably. Any of these crockpot chicken recipes will work in any slow cooker.

Final Thoughts

These slow cooker chicken recipes prove that a home-cooked dinner doesn’t have to take all evening. Bookmark this list of slow cooker chicken recipes, pick one tonight, maybe the 3-ingredient salsa chicken or the creamy Tuscan chicken, and let your crockpot do the heavy lifting.

Which one are you trying first? Tell me in the comments, and save this list to your Pinterest crockpot board so you always have an easy dinner idea ready.