The 20 Easiest Crock Pot Chicken Dinners We Know
All of these can also be made in an Instant Pot.
Chicken dinners taste even better when they make themselves.
So with busy back-to-school season in full swing, we've gathered 20 of the absolute easiest chicken recipes we know. They're all made using a Crock Pot or slow cooker — and the majority are drop-and-go dinners, meaning the appliance does all the hard work for you.
(Also, reminder that since the Instant Pot has a slow cooker setting, any of these recipes can be made in that, too!)
Pile this super versatile base into tortillas or pita pockets, or toss over rice or greens.
2. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Besides being packed with lean protein, this also has a ton of Vitamins A and C.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
3. Crock Pot Buttery Buffalo Chicken
Pretty much all chicken should be slow cooked in buttery hot sauce, if you ask us.
4. Red Beans & Rice With Chicken Sausage
Chicken sausage is a great protein to keep stocked in the fridge. It's cheap, versatile, and — if you buy the pre-cooked version — lasts a long time unopened.
5. Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup
The base of the soup cooks low and slow, then the tortellini gets dropped in at the very end.
6. Slow Cooker Chicken, Potatoes, and Green Beans
To save a few minutes on prep, swap in baby potatoes and store-bought seasoning mix.
You can also sub in any other favorite ground meat — like beef, pork, or turkey.
8. Crock Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Don't forget a side of naan for dipping!
Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
This might look fussy, but most of the ingredients — black beans, tomatoes, corn — are canned, making this a true drop-and-go dinner.
If you can layer stuff into a pot, you can make this.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Bowls
Just add two more things — buns and a side of slaw — and you've got a complete meal that everyone will love.
Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
12. Creole Chicken & Sausage
Packed with protein and fiber — and only takes 10 minutes to prep.
Recipe: Creole Chicken & Sausage
13. Cheesy Chicken, Bacon & Tater Tot Bake
Crock Pot hot dish, anyone?
This makes enough for four — and breaks down to less than $3 per serving.
Recipe: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Perfect piled onto into a bun or lettuce wraps, or over rice.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
16. Easiest Salsa Verde Chicken
Virtually impossible to mess up.
Recipe: Easiest Salsa Verde Chicken
We can't all go to Tuscany. But we can definitely pour ourselves a glass of Italian wine while the slow cooker does all the hard work here.
Recipe: Crock Pot Tuscan Garlic Chicken
18. Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken With Carrots
This requires a few minutes of pre-Crock Pot prep as you'll brown the chicken thighs on the stovetop. (But the end result is worth it!)
Stuff into a hoagie, and enjoy!
Just a few ingredients needed for this — most of which you probably already have in your kitchen.