15 Slow-Cooker Chicken Recipes That Are Anything But Boring
No two things are more central to weeknight cooking than chicken and slow cookers. A slow cooker takes much of the work out of cooking more involved meals, and chicken is the most popular and affordable kind of meat out there. So, what better way to ease your weeknight cooking load than to add a few more crowd-pleasing slow-cooker chicken recipes to your regular dinner rotation?
Using your slow cooker for chicken is a little different than using it for a tough cut of meat like pork shoulder, or a long-simmering recipe like chili. Chicken is a lean protein, and doesn’t have much connective tissue, so cooking it for too long will actually make it tough, not tender. Most of these recipes take advantage of the “warm” setting on most slow cookers, to keep things hot without overcooking. Be sure to read each recipe thoroughly so that you get those settings just right. Otherwise, these 15 slow-cooker chicken recipes are practically foolproof, and guaranteed to please.
1. Lemon Garlic Chicken
Served over potatoes, pasta or rice, this zesty lemon slow-cooker chicken is sure to be a hit.
2. Shredded Mexican-Style Chicken
This tender shredded slow-cooker chicken is perfect for taco night, but also works in burrito bowls or on salads.
3. Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Even picky eaters will love this veggie-filled slow-cooker chicken-and-cheese casserole.
4. Honey Garlic Chicken
These slow-cooker sweet chicken thighs have a short ingredient list, but definitely don’t skimp on flavor.
5. Mongolian Chicken
Get ahead of a takeout craving by throwing this Mongolian chicken recipe together in the slow cooker before you leave for work in the morning.
6. Tuscan Chicken
If you’re looking for a creamy chicken recipe with some greens and plenty of umami, this Tuscan slow-cooker chicken dish has your name all over it.
7. Butter Chicken
If you’ve always wanted to try making butter chicken at home but thought it was too intimidating, try letting your slow cooker do all the work.
8. Honey Teriyaki Chicken
This straightforward slow-cooker chicken recipe calls for making your own teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey and a few other seasonings.
9. Parmesan Herb Chicken Orzo
The best thing about this slow-cooker chicken and orzo recipe is that it’s a complete dinner in one. Oh, and the fact that it has a generous amount of Parmesan.
10. Thai Chicken Soup
Chicken soup can cure anything, and this slow-cooker coconut milk-based chicken soup is even more magical than the original.
11. Greek Chicken
Olives, feta and tomatoes give this slow-cooker Greek chicken a salty, briny flavor that’s tough to beat.
12. Chicken Noodle Soup
Sometimes, only (slow-cooker) chicken noodle soup will do.
13. Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Apple Slaw
Slow-cooker pulled chicken sandwiches are a great way to shake up your normal dinner routine. Plus, the apple-cabbage slaw and whole wheat bun make for a balanced, filling meal.
14. Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Chicken parm is great, but it can be time-consuming: You need to dredge and bread chicken cutlets, fry them and then bake them with sauce and cheese. Chicken parm meatballs, on the other hand, come together easily in the slow cooker.
15. Pesto-Mozzarella Chicken Pasta
This all-in-one slow-cooker chicken pasta dinner hits all the flavor bases, and adding a quick veggie side is an easy way to turn it into a completely balanced meal.
