15 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Crockpot chicken recipes are a lifesaver when you want a satisfying homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. With a few simple ingredients, you can prepare everything in your crockpot, let the chicken cook until tender, and come back to a flavorful meal.

Some evenings, the last thing you want to do is stand over the stove preparing dinner. That is where a crockpot can make things much easier. You can season the chicken, add the other ingredients, turn the cooker on, and get on with your day.

These crockpot chicken recipes cover different kinds of dinners, from saucy BBQ chicken and chicken tacos to creamy comfort food and simple chicken and rice. Most use familiar ingredients, so you don’t need to make a special trip to the store every time you want to try one.

Whether you’re feeding a family or simply want leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, there’s a good chance you’ll find something worth trying here.

If you enjoy the convenience of slow cooking, you may also want to check out our guide on slow cooker pot for more hands-off meal ideas.

Why These Crockpot Chicken Recipes Work for Busy Nights

The biggest advantage is the amount of hands-on cooking involved. Once the ingredients are in the crockpot, there is usually very little to do until the meal is ready.

Crockpot chicken is also useful when you want to prepare dinner earlier in the day. A recipe that takes only a few minutes to assemble can give you a hot meal later without rushing around the kitchen.

And don’t overlook leftovers. Shredded crockpot chicken can easily become tacos, sandwiches, wraps, rice bowls or salad the following day.

15 Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Try

1. Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken

If you love the combination of garlic and butter, start here. Chicken cooks slowly with garlic, butter, herbs and simple seasonings until tender and flavorful.

You’ll need:

Chicken breasts or thighs

Butter

Fresh minced garlic

Italian seasoning

Paprika

Salt and black pepper

A small amount of chicken broth

How to make it:

Season the chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Place it in the crockpot and add the garlic, butter and chicken broth. Cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice or steamed vegetables. Spoon some of the garlic butter sauce over the chicken before serving.

2. Crockpot BBQ Chicken

This is one of those recipes that can save dinner when you don’t have much time. The chicken slowly cooks in BBQ sauce until tender enough to shred.

You’ll need:

Boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Your favorite BBQ sauce

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Smoked paprika

Salt and pepper

How to make it:

Season the chicken and place it in the crockpot. Pour over enough BBQ sauce to coat the chicken well. Cook until tender, then shred the chicken with two forks and mix it back into the sauce.

Pile the chicken into toasted buns and add coleslaw for a simple dinner. You can also serve it over rice or alongside roasted potatoes.

3. Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Crockpot chicken tacos are useful when everyone at home wants to build their own dinner.

Ingredients:

Boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Salsa

Taco seasoning

Garlic powder

Lime juice

Place the chicken in the crockpot and sprinkle with taco seasoning and garlic powder. Pour the salsa over it and cook until the chicken is tender.

Shred the chicken and stir it into the salsa before adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Serve with warm tortillas and toppings such as:

Shredded lettuce

Diced tomatoes

Avocado

Cheese

Sour cream

Fresh cilantro

You can also use the chicken for burrito bowls if you have leftover rice.

4. Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Chicken and rice is a natural choice when you want something filling without preparing several separate dishes.

Ingredients:

Boneless chicken thighs or breasts

Long-grain rice

Chicken broth

Onion

Garlic

Carrots

Peas

Paprika

Thyme

Salt and pepper

Add the chicken, vegetables, seasonings and broth to the crockpot. For the best texture, add the rice according to the cooking method and timing appropriate for your particular crockpot rather than leaving it cooking for the entire chicken cooking period.

Once the chicken is cooked and the rice is tender, fluff the rice and serve.

Tip: Rice can become mushy when overcooked, so it deserves more attention than chicken does in a slow-cooked meal.

If you enjoy meals that keep the washing-up to a minimum, you may also like these [Easy One-Pot Dinner Recipes].

5. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

You don’t need to stand over a hot pan to enjoy fajitas. Your crockpot can handle the chicken and vegetables while you prepare the toppings.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts or thighs

Bell peppers

Onion

Fajita seasoning

Lime juice

A little chicken broth

Slice the peppers and onion and place them around the chicken. Sprinkle everything with fajita seasoning and add a small amount of broth.

Cook until the chicken is tender. Slice or shred the chicken and toss it with the softened peppers and onions.

Serve in tortillas with avocado, salsa and a squeeze of lime.

6. Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

When the weather calls for something warm and comforting, chicken and dumplings is hard to beat.

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs or breasts

Chicken broth

Carrots

Celery

Onion

Garlic

Thyme

Salt and pepper

Dumpling dough or refrigerated biscuit dough

Cook the chicken with the vegetables, broth and seasonings until tender. Shred the chicken and return it to the crockpot.

Add the dumplings toward the end of cooking and cook until they are fluffy and cooked through.

The result is a hearty meal with tender chicken, vegetables and soft dumplings soaking up the flavorful broth.

7. Crockpot Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This is the option to choose when you want something richer for dinner.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts

Heavy cream

Chicken broth

Garlic

Parmesan cheese

Sun-dried tomatoes

Spinach

Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper

Season the chicken and place it in the crockpot with the broth, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until the chicken is done.

Stir in the cream, Parmesan and spinach toward the end so the sauce stays creamy and the spinach doesn’t become overly soft.

Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Creamy crockpot chicken is especially good with pasta when you want a more filling dinner. For another quick dinner idea, check out our 20-Minute Pasta Recipes.

8. Crockpot Salsa Chicken

This recipe is particularly handy when you want a short ingredient list.

You’ll need:

Chicken breasts

Your favorite salsa

Taco seasoning

Black beans

Corn

Shredded cheese

Place the chicken in the crockpot and season with taco seasoning. Pour salsa over the top and cook until the chicken is tender.

Shred the chicken and stir in the black beans and corn. Top with cheese and allow it to melt before serving.

Use it for tacos, rice bowls or a filling for wraps.

9. Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet and savory flavors work particularly well with chicken.

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs or breasts

Honey

Soy sauce

Garlic

Ginger

Black pepper

A little sesame oil

Mix the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Pour the mixture over the chicken and cook until tender.

The finished chicken can be served over steamed rice with broccoli, green beans or another vegetable.

For a thicker sauce, transfer the cooking liquid to a saucepan and reduce it separately rather than adding large amounts of thickener directly to the crockpot.

10. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

You can get the flavors of chicken pot pie without spending the evening making pastry from scratch.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts or thighs

Chicken broth

Carrots

Peas

Corn

Onion

Garlic

Cream of chicken soup

Poultry seasoning

Black pepper

Biscuits or pastry for topping

Cook the chicken with the vegetables, broth, soup and seasonings until tender. Shred the chicken and mix everything together.

Prepare the biscuit or pastry topping separately according to its instructions, then add it when appropriate so you get a golden, cooked topping without leaving it in the crockpot for too long.

11. Crockpot Lemon Pepper Chicken

After several creamy and saucy recipes, this lemon pepper chicken gives you something brighter.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts or thighs

Fresh lemon juice

Lemon zest

Garlic

Black pepper

Olive oil

Italian seasoning

Salt

Season the chicken generously with lemon zest, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning. Add the lemon juice and olive oil before cooking.

Serve the chicken with roasted potatoes, rice or green beans.

A little fresh lemon juice added just before serving can brighten the flavor even more.

12. Crockpot Chicken Chili

Chicken chili is a good way to turn a few pantry staples into a substantial meal.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts

Diced tomatoes

Kidney beans

Black beans

Corn

Onion

Garlic

Chili powder

Cumin

Paprika

Chicken broth

Add everything except the chicken toppings to the crockpot and place the chicken into the mixture.

Cook until the chicken is tender, then shred it and stir it back into the chili.

Top individual bowls with shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, green onions or fresh cilantro.

13. Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

For an easy dinner with Asian-inspired flavors, try tender chicken coated in a homemade teriyaki-style sauce.

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs or breasts

Soy sauce

Honey or brown sugar

Garlic

Ginger

Rice vinegar

Sesame oil

Mix the sauce ingredients and pour them over the chicken. Cook until tender, then shred or slice the chicken.

Serve over rice with steamed broccoli, carrots or snap peas. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if you have them.

14. Crockpot Creamy Ranch Chicken

Creamy ranch chicken is especially good when you want a comforting meal that doesn’t require many ingredients.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts

Ranch seasoning

Cream cheese

Chicken broth

Garlic powder

Black pepper

Shredded cheddar cheese

Place the chicken in the crockpot with the broth and seasonings. Add the cream cheese during the latter part of cooking so it can melt into the sauce without separating from prolonged cooking.

Shred the chicken and stir everything together. Add cheddar cheese before serving.

Try it with mashed potatoes, rice or roasted vegetables.

15. Crockpot Chicken Parmesan

Traditional chicken Parmesan usually involves breading and frying the chicken first. This crockpot version takes a more relaxed approach while keeping the familiar tomato, chicken and cheese combination.

Ingredients:

Boneless chicken breasts

Marinara sauce

Italian seasoning

Garlic

Mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

Black pepper

Place a layer of marinara sauce in the crockpot. Add the seasoned chicken and cover with more sauce.

Cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Add mozzarella and Parmesan near the end and allow the cheese to melt.

Serve over spaghetti or with a simple green salad.

What to Serve With Crockpot Chicken

The right side dish can turn one crockpot recipe into a completely different meal.

For saucy chicken:

Mashed potatoes, rice, pasta or crusty bread are good choices because they give you something to soak up the sauce.

For tacos and fajitas:

Use tortillas with avocado, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese or corn.

For creamy chicken:

Try steamed green beans, roasted vegetables, rice or pasta.

For BBQ chicken:

Coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob or toasted buns work particularly well.

For chicken chili:

Serve it with tortilla chips, cornbread or a simple avocado salad.

How to Keep Crockpot Chicken From Drying Out

Chicken breast is lean, so it can become dry when cooked for too long. A few simple habits can help.

Choose chicken thighs when you want meat that stays especially tender during longer cooking.

Avoid automatically adding extra cooking time just because the recipe is in a crockpot.

Follow the cooking time recommended for your particular slow cooker.

Don’t keep opening the lid unnecessarily. Each time you remove it, heat escapes and cooking takes longer.

Let the chicken sit in its sauce for a few minutes after shredding so it can absorb some of the cooking juices.

The goal isn’t simply to cook the chicken until it is done. You want to stop cooking when it is tender and juicy, too.

Can You Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Chicken Thighs?

In many crockpot recipes, you can swap chicken breasts and thighs, but the result won’t be exactly the same.

Chicken thighs contain more fat, which makes them naturally juicy and forgiving during longer cooking. Chicken breasts are leaner and can dry out if they are cooked well beyond the point of doneness.

If you’re using chicken breasts, pay closer attention to the cooking time. If you’re making a recipe where the chicken will eventually be shredded and mixed into a sauce, either cut can work well.

How to Store Leftover Crockpot Chicken

Let leftover chicken cool appropriately before transferring it to a covered container and refrigerating it.

Cooked chicken is useful for more than just leftovers. Shred it and use it for:

Sandwiches

Wraps

Tacos

Rice bowls

Salads

Quesadillas

Pasta

You can also freeze suitable leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe container. Label the container with the date so you know how long it has been stored.

When reheating, add a little sauce or broth if the chicken looks dry. This helps bring back some moisture.

Making extra chicken can also make the next few meals easier. If you’re planning several meals ahead, see our Healthy Meal Prep Ideas for the Family.

Which Crockpot Chicken Recipe Should You Make First?

Not sure where to start? Choose based on what you’re craving.

Want something creamy?

Try the Creamy Tuscan Chicken or Creamy Ranch Chicken.

Want tacos?

Go with Crockpot Chicken Tacos or Salsa Chicken.

Want something comforting?

Chicken and Dumplings or Chicken Pot Pie are good choices.

Want a sweet and savory dinner?

Try Honey Garlic Chicken or Teriyaki Chicken.

Want something simple?

Salsa Chicken has a short ingredient list and can be used in several ways.

Want leftovers for lunch?

BBQ Chicken and Salsa Chicken are particularly versatile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen chicken in a crockpot?

It’s best to follow food-safety guidance for your specific slow cooker and recipe rather than assuming frozen chicken is safe to put directly into the crockpot. Frozen meat spends longer in the temperature range where bacteria can multiply. Thawing chicken in the refrigerator before slow cooking gives you more predictable cooking.

Is chicken breast or chicken thigh better for crockpot recipes?

Both work, but chicken thighs are generally more forgiving because they contain more fat. Chicken breasts are leaner and can become dry if overcooked.

How long does chicken take in a crockpot?

The exact time depends on the recipe, the size and cut of the chicken, the amount of food in the crockpot and the appliance itself. Use the recipe’s recommended cooking time and verify that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature rather than relying only on the clock.

Can I prepare crockpot chicken ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare many of the ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate them appropriately before cooking. You can also cook the chicken ahead and use the leftovers for several meals.

Can cooked crockpot chicken be frozen?

Yes, many cooked chicken dishes freeze well. Allow the food to cool appropriately, place it in a freezer-safe airtight container, label it with the date and thaw it safely before reheating.

Dinner Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

A busy evening doesn’t always call for an elaborate dinner. Sometimes you just need a recipe that lets you get the main cooking out of the way while you handle everything else on your list.

That’s what makes these crockpot chicken recipes useful. Keep a few chicken portions and your favorite pantry staples available, and you can turn them into tacos one night, creamy chicken another night and BBQ sandwiches when you’re in the mood for something different.

Which one would you try first?