Best Chicken Crock Pot Recipes (2024)

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Whether you’re in need of some quick and easy dinners, or you’d just like to change up your usual chicken dinner routine, this collection of the best chicken crock pot recipes will have something for you!

I gathered some of my favorite slow cooker chicken recipes to level up your dinner lineup.

Chicken Crockpot Recipes

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Crock pot chicken recipes are some of my most popular, and favorite, recipes. They’re easy and convenient and perfect for busy families.

I avoided slow cookers for a long time because my mom never used one so they were foreign to me.

The first time I tried out a crockpot recipe, I pulled up to my house after work and was surprised to see it still standing. I really thought it might burn the house down.

I might be dramatic but have you seen This is Us? It could happen.

Crock Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken
My most popular recipe for the past few years, this easy bourbon chicken is great over rice or with potatoes.

Crock Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken

If you love bourbon chicken from the food court at the mall, you’ll love this version of Crock Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken that’s made right in your slow cooker!

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Crockpot Lemon Chicken
Not only is this lemon chicken delicious, it only requires 4 ingredients and it’s super easy!

Crockpot Lemon Chicken

This Crockpot Lemon Chicken is so easy and perfect for a busy weeknight. This 4 ingredient, slow chicken dinner is amazingly flavorful and sure to be your new favorite meal. Serve with vegetables and ready to serve rice for a fast healthy dinner!

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Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a super easy, super comforting, super flavorful dinner!

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a super easy, super comforting, super flavorful dinner! Because it's made in the crockpot, there is very little hands-on time. Let the slow cooker do the work and cook your meat and potatoes at the same time.

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Crockpot Mississippi Chicken

If you love Mississippi pot roast, you’re going to love this chicken version even more!

Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

This recipe is the chicken version of the classic Mississippi pot roast. We're replacing chuck roast with chicken breasts for a lighter, yet just as flavorful twist! Slow cooker Mississippi chicken is made with au jus mix, ranch seasoning, butter, and those signature pepperoncini. Cooked low and slow until the flavors come together for pure comfort food!

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Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

This one is so good, it’s said to encourage marriage proposals!

Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

Slow cooker marry me chicken is an Italian-inspired recipe made with tender, juicy chicken slow-cooked in a seasoned, rich, buttery cream sauce with sundried tomatoes and basil. It’s fancy enough for a special occasion but easy enough to make throughout the week. Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a tasty meal everyone will devour!

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Slow Cooker Mushroom Chicken

Creamy mushroom sauce with tender chicken is perfect over noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Crockpot Cream of Mushroom Chicken

Slow Cooker Mushroom Chicken has chicken in a creamy mushroom gravy cooked in the crockpot and ready to serve over rice, noodles or potatoes.

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Slow Cooker Honey Lime Chicken

Save this one for Taco Tuesday and use it for tacos, nachos, burritos, etc.

Slow Cooker Honey Lime Chicken Tacos

The meat in these slow cooker honey lime chicken tacos is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. With just 5 minutes of prep time, the crockpot does the heavy lifting, and because there are so few ingredients involved, you may already have what you need on hand! Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy a bright and zesty new taco recipe!

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Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

No sizzling skillet but these slow cooker fajitas are so good!

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Recreate your favorite Mexican restaurant meal right at home! Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a hearty and satisfying meal that everyone will love, especially when there are plenty of toppings to choose from! This recipe easily feeds six people, so it's a great family-style dinner idea.

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Crockpot Crack Chicken

The popular chicken bacon ranch slow cooker meal piled onto soft buns!

Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches (aka Crack Chicken) are an easy hit! Chicken, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning cook together in the crockpot before getting mixed with cheddar, bacon, and scallions and then piled onto soft buns.

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Crockpot Sweet & Sour Chicken
Like takeout but with only four ingredients!

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken made with FOUR ingredients that tastes just like takeout. This slow cooker recipe is the perfect easy weeknight dinner.

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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles
Inspired by a viral TikTok, this one is so good!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken combines tender chicken, red bell peppers, and onions in a super flavorful honey garlic sauce made easy right in the crockpot. Before serving, toss your favorite noodles in the sauce for a full dinner that everyone will love.

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Slow cooker French Onion Chicken

Like French Onion Soup? Try it in flavorful chicken form!

Crockpot French Onion Chicken

Crockpot French onion chicken is a complete meal that tastes just like your favorite French onion soup! Tender chicken breasts smothered in caramelized onions, melted Swiss cheese, crispy fried onions, slow cooked in French onion flavors, making a rich gravy. It's comfort food heaven, especially when served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes!

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Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes & Carrots

Juicy boneless chicken thighs cooked with red potatoes and carrots for a whole meal done at once!

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes & Carrots is an easy recipe that makes your entire dinner right in the crockpot! Juicy chicken thighs, tender potatoes and carrots, and a flavorful chicken gravy to pour over the top.

What’s the difference between a slow cooker and a Crock Pot?

There is no difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot. Crock Pot is a brand of slow cooker that came out in the 70s. Slow cooker is just a type of appliance. I use the terms interchangeably throughout my site because I find that most everyone calls it one or the other.

In short, a Crock Pot is a brand of slow cooker, but not every slow cooker is a Crock Pot (mine is a Hamilton Beach).

Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in your slow cooker. Some recipes call for you to brown or sear the meat before you put it into the slow cooker (like my garlic parmesan chicken thighs) but I usually skip that step. I find it defeats the purpose and convenience of slow cooker meals.

Some recipes, like my buffalo chicken dip, call for you to add pre-cooked chicken to the slow cooker. Just pay attention to the recipe and instructions.

Generally, meat (chicken and otherwise) goes in raw.

Can you put frozen chicken in the crock pot?

You should not put frozen chicken in your crock pot. Can you? Yes. Should you? No.

The whole purpose of a slow cooker is to cook….slow. When you put frozen chicken in the slow cooker, it doesn’t reach a safe temperature quick enough. This opens up an opportunity for bacteria to present itself.

Thaw your chicken before you add it to the slow cooker.

Still not convinced? Here’s the USDA’s chicken safety guidelines.

Is it better to slow cook chicken on high or low?

Whether you slow cook your chicken on high or low depends on a few things. First, time constraints.

Do you have 6-8 hours for your meal to cook? If you do, low will work. If you need dinner ready in 3-4 hours, you’ll want to opt for high.

If you plan to shred the chicken, low & slow with enough liquid to keep the chicken moist would be my recommendation.

It’s also important to remember that each slow cooker runs differently (many run hot) so the times listed on recipes are a suggestion, but you’ll need to monitor yours for the best results.

Once chicken hits an internal temperature of 165°, it is ready to eat.

Which slow cooker should I get?

For the past few years, I’ve been using a Hamilton Beach Set & Forget It slow cooker and I love that once it’s done cooking for the designated time, it automatically switches itself to warm. That is handy.

Read my full Hamilton Beach slow cooker review here.

Any other questions? Feel free to comment below & ask.

Now, let’s get to some of the best chicken crock pot meals…

If you want REALLY easy, check out my collection of 3 ingredients crock pot recipes.

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FAQs

Do you have to brown chicken before putting in crock pot? ›

No you do not, however browning does help with the flavor in addition to color. If you do not brown, plan on adding extra ingredients to help flavor the end results. Originally Answered: Do you need to brown meat before putting it in a slow cooker?

How do you cook chicken in a crock pot so it doesn't dry out? ›

Make sure your chicken pieces are arranged in a single layer, so they cook evenly. No Need to Add Liquid. The natural moisture in the chicken is sufficient as long as the chicken is in a single layer. That means you can make this crockpot shredded chicken with no broth.

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Does chicken get more tender the longer you cook it in crock pot? ›

That is why tough meats become “fork tender” in the slow cooker. Chicken breasts have very little connective tissue; that means they can be cooked quickly because the long cooking time needed to soften connective tissue isn't necessary. They also have little fat, which means they can become dry if cooked too long.

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Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot? ›

For optimal results, it's generally recommended to cook chicken on the low setting in a crockpot. This slower cooking method allows the chicken to become more tender and absorb flavors, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish compared to using the high setting.

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Does chicken need to be covered in liquid in crockpot? ›

When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full. Follow the manufacturer's recipes and directions for best results.

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Can you put chicken in crock pot without liquid? ›

Cover and cook. Place the cover on the slow cooker and turn it on to high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours. You do not need to add any liquid. Chickens today typically have some solution added, so they rarely need added liquid.

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Why does chicken get rubbery in crock pot? ›

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.

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How long does it take for chicken to cook in the crockpot? ›

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with plenty of salt and pepper. 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.

Why did my crock pot chicken turn out mushy? ›

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.

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How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

It is very important to marinate chicken whenever you plan to cook with high, direct heat such as grilling or pan searing, as these techniques tend to dry out the meat as it cooks. A marinade is an acidic solution that gets a head start on breaking down the structure of a protein before it is cooked.

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How long is too long for chicken in crockpot? ›

You certainly can, the meat will simply fall to bits, which might be desirable for some recipes like “Chicken and Dumplings” which will take 8–12 hours on “Low” setting. 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…

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Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low for a crock pot? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

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Can you put uncooked chicken in 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!

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How long can you leave chicken in a crockpot on low? ›

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.

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Can you cook chicken on low for 4 hours? ›

Our tests show they reach their internal safe temperature anywhere from 3-4 on LOW. However, America's Test Kitchen (a source we really trust!), says they can withstand cooking times of up to 4-6 hours on LOW.

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What happens if you don't brown chicken before cooking? ›

Skipping browning isn't a shortcut, but is instead another path to delicious results. Think about chicken soup: Because the chicken isn't browned, it's spoon-tender with a delicate flavor. The same goes for chicken mafe, chicken tinga, khao man gai and so many other classic dishes.

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What happens if you don't brown meat before slow cooker? ›

While searing meat before slow cooking can enhance flavors by developing a caramelized crust, it's not strictly necessary. If you skip searing, the meat may lack some depth of flavor, but it will still cook and become tender in the slow cooker.

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Should I brown chicken before cooking? ›

Is it necessary to brown meat before baking it? If the meat will brown during baking, then, no, browning first is not important. If, by baking, you mean in a covered pot in the oven, then browning first would add flavor.