Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

Are you craving a hot, home-cooked meal but you’re short on time? Your slow cooker can turn even the most budget-friendly ingredients into a flavorful, healthy dinner with no hands-on cooking required. Just toss in your items, turn your slow cooker on and go about your day knowing that your meal will be ready and waiting when you’re ready to eat. We’ve broken down why these magical appliances are so great, and we’ve gathered a few of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes to make your weeknights a little easier (and a whole lot tastier).

Why Use a Slow Cooker?

Designed to cook your food low and slow for long periods of time, slow cookers are a must-have for new chefs, individuals who don’t like (or don’t have time) to cook, or anyone who likes a little help in the kitchen. In addition to offering a hands-off approach to meal prepping, the lower cooking temperature drastically reduces the chance of burning or overcooking food. Another perk is that cleanup is easy. Since an entire meal is cooked in a single dish, there’s little fuss in the preparation, and no mess once everything is ready to be put away. Most slow cookers come with a removable crock that can be soaked in your sink and wiped clean, but for an even easier cleanup, you can purchase single-use slow cooker liners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes. To ensure your chicken cooks thoroughly and is safe to eat, make sure you only use completely thawed chicken in your slow cooker, and put it in a single layer on the bottom of the crock. If you’re short on time, remember that smaller pieces of chicken will cook more quickly.

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

It depends on how much time you have. Either method will give you fully cooked chicken. “Low and slow” will give you more tender, moist chicken, but will take longer – usually 2½ to 3 hours. Cooking on high can cook the chicken in 1-2 hours, but will give drier results. We recommend “low and slow” if time allows.

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

This answer depends a little bit on what cuts you’re cooking. Adding some water or stock can help keep chicken moist and tender, especially if you’re going to be cooking it for a long time. But some cuts need that extra help more than others. Lean filets and chicken breast in particular benefit from adding some water or stock at the start of the cook. Add enough to cover your meat, or a little less, and you should get consistently great results.

How long should I put chicken in a slow cooker?

If you’re cooking on low, which we recommend, your chicken breasts, thighs or drumsticks will be ready to eat in 2½-3 hours (or less, if you’re using less chicken). Make sure the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

Though your slow cooker can work magic on almost any cut of meat, it’s exceptionally good at cooking chicken to juicy, fall-apart perfection. You can find a great selection of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes below, or visit Easy Meal Soluions for more fresh inspiration.