Five Incredible Slow Cooker Meals To Get You Through The Dregs Of Winter

Half the nation is buried in snow. Snuggle under the electric blanket with a Supernatural marathon while the snow rages on and let the slow cooker make your dinner! As an added bonus, these recipes require minimal preparation, and no pre-cooking.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Via David Prince/Time Inc. Lifestyle Group

Dump canned tomatoes, canned tomato paste, chicken, cream, and spices into the pot, cover, set to high, and walk away. Return in three hours, and dinner is ready! Serve over rice. It's just like takeout, except you didn't let in all of the cold air when you paid the deliveryman. As for your daily veggies, Real Simple has you covered with cucumbers.

Chalupas

Via pinchofyum.com

When I think comfort food, I think "melted cheese." This Pinch Of Yum recipe calls for dried beans, but in, uh, a pinch, canned beans work well too. (I speak from experience.)

Chicken Parmesan Soup

Via Lori Yates

Your favorite Italian food, in soup form, thanks to Foxes Love Lemons. Stir together chicken, broth, tomato, spices, and grated cheese, and return in a few hours. All with less mess, and less time, than the famous original, too.

Sweet Hawaiian Chicken

Via lynnskitchenadventures.com

Ah, the recipe that launched a thousand Facebook posts! Pineapple juice (and/or pineapple chunks), brown sugar, soy sauce, and chicken are all you need for tonight's dinner, another that's great over rice. For bonus points, you can add peppers and onions. Get the recipe here.

Chicken and Dumplings

Via eatathomecooks.com

Another recipe that briefly flooded Facebook, this recipe is easy to tweak once you've obtained chicken and cream of chicken soup. Heck, you can use and creamy soup! If you add frozen, canned, or fresh vegetables you can call this meal a chicken pot pie soup. Get the recipe here.