Crockpot chicken dinner recipes are a go-to in my house since they’re easy, nutritious, and great for meal prep. I’ve compiled 22 of the best chicken slow cooker recipes that are made with real ingredients, require minimal prep, and are ideal for busy days when dinner needs to basically make itself.
From cozy classics like chicken noodle soup to bold, fresh-flavored chicken dishes like Thai peanut chicken, these slow cooker chicken recipes offer a variety of tastes, textures, and ingredients to suit all dietary and taste preferences.
Ingredient Highlight: Chicken
Chicken is an incredibly versatile protein that comes in several cuts (e.g. chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, boneless skinless chicken breasts), is budget-friendly, and is a nutritionally beneficial addition to meals. Because of its fairly neutral flavor, chicken works well in many styles of cooking, including sheet-pan meals, casseroles, skillet dinners, and more.
Chicken is a complete protein and a rich source of B vitamins and some minerals, and the nutrients in it help with:
- Muscle building and repair
- Immune function support
- Improving bone health
Crockpot Shredded Chicken
I make a lot of recipes that call for pre-cooked chicken. So I always like to have some on hand, whether it’s from making a leftover whole chicken, pulling chicken off a rotisserie chicken, or making shredded chicken in my slow cooker. This method is so easy and I use it to make a variety of recipes with shredded chicken all week long.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Chicken Noodle Soup
Ana and her family love a classic and cozy soup like this chicken noodle soup. She can make it conveniently right in her crockpot from boneless skinless chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onions, low-sodium chicken broth, garlic, dried seasonings, and egg noodles.
Dairy-Free | Gluten-free Option | Nut-free
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Stacie has always loved buffalo chicken flavors, so she created this slow cooker buffalo chicken chili as a new way to enjoy them. This hearty chili features Great Northern beans, green chiles, frozen corn, ranch dressing seasonings like garlic powder and onion powder, and cream cheese. She serves it on game days and as a cozy weekend meal.
Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free
BBQ Pulled Chicken
I’ve always enjoyed pulled meat sandwiches, like pulled pork and hot beef sandwiches. But pulled chicken is one of my all-time favorites. I cook it low and slow in delicious sweet and savory BBQ sauce ingredients. Then I serve it in a variety of ways, including sandwiches, wraps, over baked potatoes, and as dinner bowls.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free
Tuscan Chicken With Orzo
One of my all-time favorite crockpot chicken recipes, this is a hands-off dinner that features tender chicken, orzo, and a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce. With veggies and a savory flavor, it’s an easy dinner recipe for those nights when something hearty, nourishing, and picky-eater-approved is needed. I dish it up and sprinkle servings with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
Egg-Free | Gluten-free Option | Nut-free
Indian Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
This favorite takeout dish of mine is incredibly easy to make right at home in my slow cooker. I serve the chicken and tomato cream sauce over rice with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and naan for a delicious dinner every time.
Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free
Marry Me Chicken
Jess created this fuss-free Marry Me chicken recipe as a simple take on the classic Italian-American dish, combining tender chicken and a creamy Parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomato-infused sauce. It’s naturally low-carb and gluten-free and dishes up 34 grams of protein per serving.
Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Nut-free
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Always a fan of this chicken pot pie casserole, Ana developed this pot pie soup as a hands-off version of a classic comfort food dish. It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with chicken and veggies. She serves it alongside homemade biscuits for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Egg-Free | Gluten-free Option | Nut-free
Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Stacie’s creamy slow cooker chicken wild rice soup is a lightened-up comfort food full of protein and veggies for a cozy meal. SHe makes it with homemade chicken broth for even more depth of flavor, but packaged broth will work great, too. It’s also a good meal prep option, since it can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Nut-free
Simple Chicken Tacos
As a mom of three littles, there’s nothing better than a 5-minute prep time recipe for a filling weeknight dinner that never ceases to please the family. This saucy, spiced chicken is one of my favorite slow cooker meals. I serve it on tortillas, nacho-style, over rice, and as lettuce wraps.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Hawaiian Chicken
Jess’ Hawaiian chicken brings major island flavor with a sweet-and-savory pineapple marinade and tender shredded chicken. She loves how versatile it is, and how she can prep it ahead of time, store it in a freezer-safe container, and then add it right to her slow cooker at a later date.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken
Tender boneless skinless chicken breasts, fresh veggies, soy sauce, and a rich homemade peanut sauce come together to create a delicious, takeout-inspired comfort dish. It’s nutritious and perfect for serving over rice, cauliflower rice, or pad Thai noodles garnished with chopped peanuts and scallions.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Paleo
Salsa Chicken With Cilantro-Lime Crema
Always a fan of dinner bowls, Stacie loves that this crockpot meal is quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and made with real food ingredients. While it is optional, she recommends pairing it with cilantro-lime crema for extra creaminess and a hint of spice!
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free
Salsa Verde Chicken
Requiring just five ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time, this is the easiest salsa verde chicken ever to make (thanks to the crockpot). It’s just mildly spicy, so it’s kid-friendly, too. Serve over cauliflower rice, as a Whole30 or Paleo meal, or wrapped in a tortilla as a taco.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Paleo | Whole30
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Creamy, delicious, and easy to make in the crockpot, this always-favorite chicken dip is the perfect appetizer for any holiday menu or gameday. Thanks to the smooth cream cheese texture and amazing flavor-kick from the sauce, it’s so tasty that it’s hard to believe it’s dairy-free.
Dairy-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Paleo | Whole30
White Chicken Chili
This hearty white chicken chili takes just 10 minutes to prep and is naturally dairy-free. It’s full of protein and flavor and freezes well, making it great for weekly meal planning. I love adding in a can of pinto, white, or black beans, and topping servings with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Shredded Buffalo Chicken
This buffalo chicken is a dream-come-true dinner for busy weeknights. I can make it a hearty comfort food dish by serving the shredded buffalo chicken stuffed in a baked sweet potato, or keep it light and serve it on top of a bed of greens. This is also an Instant Pot recipe and the post includes directions for both cooking options.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Easy Chicken Corn Chowder
Creamy, cozy, and full of flavor, this corn chowder is one of Stacie’s go-to easy slow cooker recipes that she enjoys during cold weather and the winter months. She tops servings with crispy bacon, herbs, goat cheese, or cracked black pepper.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free
Chicken Chile Verde Stew
Made from chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins, this is a simple, budget-friendly recipe that can feed the whole family. This hearty stew calls for just 10 simple ingredients and is best served with corn tortillas, Colorado style.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Sweet Potato Chicken Curry
Jess created this easy veggie and chicken curry to be infused with a flavorful Indian-inspired spice blend. It has everything she looks for in a meal, including quality protein, healthy fats, and veggies. Her favorite way to serve this curry is over a bed of sautéed cauliflower rice or brown rice.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Dijon-Thyme Chicken Legs
These chicken legs are easy to make and pair perfectly with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans. The spice blend is made from mustard, thyme, paprika, cumin, and dates. For a finishing sauce, thicken the slow cooker liquid with arrowroot powder or cornstarch and drizzle over top before serving.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
Chicken Sloppy Joe Sliders
Inspired by traditional sloppy joes she grew up eating, Stacie use those favorite flavors on shredded chicken instead. She serves it between two roasted sweet potato rounds to make sliders that are delicious and an easy way to work in more veggies.
Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-free | Grain-Free | Nut-free | Paleo | Whole30
When to Serve These Crockpot Chicken Dishes
One of the best things about these crockpot chicken recipes is that there’s something for every occasion. I’ll add them to my meal prep rotation, prepare them in advance for game days or potlucks, prepare them up for holidays, and serve them often for weeknight dinners.
Storage Directions
Each crockpot chicken recipe stores slightly differently, so I always refer back to each specific recipe card for exact storage instructions. In general, though, leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For a longer-lasting option, I can store them in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Best Ways To Reheat
To enjoy leftovers, I warm them up in the microwave, oven, or stovetop. I’ve also been known to put leftovers back in the crockpot on warm and then serve once they’re heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, crockpots are designed to cook raw meat. Thanks to the high temperature and slow cooking time, they cook chicken in the safe zone and cook it all the way through, as long as the cooking instructions are followed. To be extra careful, I’ll use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Yes, use enough liquid to submerge the chicken, which helps it cook evenly and ensures it stays tender and juicy.
Most often, I recommend cooking chicken on a low setting to help prevent it from becoming tough or drying out.
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