Best Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes Ever

Is it even winter without a multitude of chicken slow cooker recipes? 

From chilis and soups to pasta and casseroles, my dependable Crock-Pot is always put to good use during this season. I adore that slow cooker recipe are wonderfully simple and require minimal preparation. I’m guessing, however, that we all stick to a handful of the same recipes. Why seek anything else when we already know they’re delicious? 

Why We Adore Slow Cookers 

We will examine some of the benefits of slow cookers and why so many cooks appreciate them. Not only are these appliances convenient, but they can also help you save money. 

1. Slow cooking intensifies the flavor.

Food cooked in slow cookers spends considerable time simmering and absorbing the spices and seasonings added to a recipe. Consequently, the food tastes more flavorful and packs a more significant punch. Therefore, slow cooker stews and soups are so delicious. 

2. The meat turns tender

Some inexpensive meat cuts do not cook well unless cooked slowly and thoroughly. Slow cooked for several hours, tough meats such as chuck steaks, stewing beef, and roasts become more tender and flavorful. Adapting and cooking most deer recipes in a slow cooker will also improve their quality. 

3. Slow cookers consume less power

On the ‘Low’ setting, most contemporary slow cookers consume as little as 150 watts per hour. A six-hour cooking session will consume 900 Watts, which is significantly less than what an electric stovetop or oven will require for the same duration. 

Considering the size of your slow cooker, the temperatures you use, the amount of food you cook, and the length of time you cook it, you could cut your cooking electricity costs in half. 

4. You’ll Never Burn Your Food.

The purpose of a slow cooker is to gently and slowly cook food. As a result, it is less likely that you will scorch food that tends to stick to the bottom of the pan or that it will become overcooked in the oven. 

5. Slow cookers provide convenience.

The convenience of using a slow cooker is why so many individuals enjoy them. You can place your food in the slow cooker, set it to its lowest, and forget about it for several hours. 

Whether you are leaving the house or are simply going to be preoccupied with other tasks, slow cookers will continue to do their job without you. The food will be tasty, tender, and not overcooked when you return. 

This also frees up space on your stove if you need to cook a large quantity of food at once. Despite cooking a large amount of food at once, slow cookers are much simpler to clean and require fewer pots and pans to be scrubbed. 

They are portable, so you can take them wherever necessary and utilize them as you see fit (as long as you place them on a flat surface). 

6. Slow Cookers Save Time

After placing all the ingredients in the slow cooker and turning it on, it is not necessary to check on it frequently. Many recipes instruct you never to remove the lid during cooking. As a result, you can focus on other tasks and accomplish more while having a delicious meal prepared for later. 

7. Your Meals Will Be More Nutritious

Due to the breakdown of nutrients by heat, food prepared at high temperatures is less nutritious than it should be. The food is healthier (and tastier) when prepared at lower temperatures, such as in a slow cooker. In addition, no harmful chemicals are released, as is sometimes when cooking at extremely high temperatures. 

There are also numerous delicious and nutritious recipes available. Even if you’re on a strict diet or need to alter you’re eating habits for health reasons, slow cookers will help you keep your meals tasty. Slow cookers are advantageous to those who wish to consume a healthy diet because they preserve nutrients. 

Preparing food at intense and high temperatures causes the loss of nutrients and diminishes its nutritional value. However, if you slow-cook your vegetables and meat, more nutrients remain, allowing you to consume more of them. A slow cooker may be an excellent option if you want to eat healthier but lack time to plan and prepare healthy meals. 

8. Slow Cookers Are Economical

In addition to reducing your electricity bill, slow cookers save you money in another way. The ingredients for slow cooker meals (soups, stews, etc.) are typically much cheaper, so you also save money on groceries. 

In addition, you can cook larger quantities of food at once and spread them out over several days, saving even more time and money. 

9. Slow cookers make cooking more affordable.

In addition to saving, you time when preparing meals, a slow cooker can also help you save money. Many slow cooker recipes utilize inexpensive ingredients, such as dried beans, root vegetables, and less expensive cuts of meat. 

10. Less Exposure to AGEs

AGEs, or advanced glycation end products, are: 

• Toxins are absorbed by the body when we consume fried, broiled, or grilled meat. 
• Cheese. 
• Other foods of animal origin. 

AGEs give foods prepared at high temperatures a delicious flavor, but they are associated with diabetes, kidney and cardiovascular disease, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and insulin resistance. 

When food is prepared in a slow cooker, these high temperatures are never reached, reducing your exposure to AGEs. Therefore, slow cookers are better for individuals who want to eat healthier without hating their food. 

Can frozen chicken be cooked in a slow cooker? 

Due to the bacteria factor, according to USDA guidelines, it is NOT safe to cook frozen meat in a slow cooker. The slow cooker may take several hours to reach a temperature high enough to kill all bacteria. 

Slow cooker chicken cooking instructions 

Due to its leanness and adaptability, chicken is popular meat among both children and adults. In addition, it is simple to use in a slow cooker to prepare a simple weeknight meal. 

Chicken is a popular dish in Aotearoa because its white and dark meats offer distinct flavors and cooking techniques, making it incredibly versatile. Additionally, it is excellently lean meat packed with protein for the health conscious. Most white chicken meat is unsuitable for the slow cooker, but dark chicken meat is ideal for curries, casseroles, and slow roasts. 

Continue reading to discover the best chicken cuts for the slow cooker and several slow cooker recipes. 

The best chicken cuts for a slow cooker 

We recommend using dark meat in the slow cooker whenever possible, as it is less prone to drying and retains more flavor. However, whole chickens and chicken breasts can be cooked in a slow cooker; continue reading to learn how. 

Whole chicken 

Who doesn’t enjoy a Sunday night roast chicken? You may be accustomed to using slow cookers for wet cooking methods such as casseroles and braising, but you can also use your slow cooker to prepare a traditional roast. 

How to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker 

• Foil is rolled into a thick sausage and then curled into a ring. Please place it in the slow cooker’s bottom. Alternately, you could create a vegetable bed. 
• Place the whole chicken on the aluminum foil. The foil prevents direct heat from drying out the bottom of the chicken. Rub the chicken with your preferred dry rub. 
• Slow cook, a 1.5-2kg chicken on high for 3-4 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 75°C. 
• For chicken with crispy skin, brush the chicken with neutral oil before finishing it under the grill for 5 to 10 minutes. 

Chicken thighs 

Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs are ideal for the slow cooker because they contain an abundance of rich, succulent dark meat. 

Bone-in cuts are typically more flavorful and tender, making them ideal for slow cooking. However, boneless chicken is preferable for dicing if you do not want bones in your stew or curry. 

How to prepare chicken thighs using a slow cooker 

• Over medium heat, sear chicken thighs on all sides. 
• Combine thighs with sauce ingredients or braising liquid in a slow cooker. 
• For approximately 1 kg of thighs, cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2 hours. 
• A thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the thigh should register 75°C when the chicken is cooked. 

Chicken drumsticks 

Drumsticks are another flavorful dark meat cut with the bone in! You can occasionally find whole chicken legs, which consist of the thigh and drumstick with the bone intact. All of these cuts can be prepared similarly. 

Due to the difficulty of finding drumsticks and legs without skin, it is best to cook them in a marinade to prevent the skin from becoming rubbery. 

How to prepare chicken legs or drumsticks in a slow cooker 

• Marinate chicken drumsticks overnight, preferably in sugar- or honey-based marinade. A dry rub with oil may also work if you don’t have time to marinate. 
• Place drumsticks in a slow cooker and pour any remaining marinade over them. 
• Slow cook 2-2.5kg for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. 

How Long Does A Slow Cooker Require To Cook Raw Chicken? 

Different types of meat and different sizes require other cooking times. Listed below are general guidelines for slow cooker chicken cooking times: 

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: 3 hours on Low or 2 to 2 ½ hours on High. 
• Chicken Thighs (Bone-in): 4 to 5 hours on Low or 3 to 4 hours on High. 
• Whole Chicken (6 lbs): 6 to 8 hours on Low or 4 ½ to 5 hours on High. 

10 Best Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes Ever 

This list of ten incredible chicken slow cooker recipes will knock your socks off. Pass up the chicken noodle soup. Chicken dishes cooked in a slow cooker just got a lot more exciting! 

1. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This easy recipe is all you need for nights when you crave takeout. The juicy boneless thighs are the ideal choice for absorbing the incredible flavors, and the slow cooking practically ensures their succulent texture! 

I love that the chicken and sauce cook together in the slow cooker and that the dish is so easy to prepare. You only need seven ingredients, most of which you probably already possess. 

2. Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken

Pull pork is delicious if you can locate the proper cut of meat. Unfortunately, it can be costly, and I’ve discovered that it is not always readily accessible. 

Therefore, I adore shredded chicken. Adding a single layer of chicken breast to a slow cooker and allowing it to cook on low for two hours is all required. I prefer to marinate them beforehand, but you can keep it simple and add the sauce after cooking. 

3. Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Even though this recipe calls for roughly a dozen ingredients, half are canned, and the rest are primarily spices and chicken breasts. 

Aside from dicing an onion, everything is pretty much ready to go. As for the preparation, toss everything into the slow cooker and let it cook. The chicken will be fork-tender and bursting with flavor after a few hours. 

4. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

This dinner comprises brown rice, lean chicken, peas, and chopped carrots. 

I’ve even added broccoli and corn for additional color and nutrients. If you do not have Greek yogurt, you could use sour cream or heavy cream as a substitute. Keep in mind that the flavor will differ slightly. 

5. Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks

When it comes to chicken drumsticks, I prefer mine to be extraordinarily tender, with a crisp skin seasoned to perfection. 

However, it is too simple for them to dry out when cooked in the oven. By marinating the chicken and then adding everything to the pot, this recipe eliminates the possibility of a bland bite. 

Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, broil it for a few minutes to achieve the desired finish. 

6. Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Chips and dips are timeless crowd-pleasers, and you can’t go wrong with them. However, you can’t go wrong with this incredibly delicious, warm, spicy chicken dip. 

This is so delicious that I have a hard time staying away. Since it’s best served warm, I like to do it with thick slices of French bread and sturdy pretzels to hold all the delicious chicken and cheese. 

7. Slow Cooker Chow Mein Chicken

Since we’ve not dined out in the past year, I’ve enjoyed recreating restaurant and takeout dishes at home. 

This chow mien turned out wonderfully! I’ve made it a dozen times or more! You can even speed up the preparation process by purchasing pre-cut vegetables. 

8. Chicken Tagine Pockets from Morocco

I enjoy dishes with shredded chicken, Moroccan spices, and pita bread. Adding the carrot salad with dates and pomegranate seeds adds an extra punch and crunch. Pitas can be substituted with mini flour tortillas. 

9. Slow-Cooker Chicken with Dumplings

Depending on the recipe, I occasionally prefer chicken breast over chicken thighs. 

Although chicken thighs are slightly more flavorful, I prefer how chicken breasts shred directly into the sauce. 

This creamy chicken and dumplings recipe is simple to prepare, thanks to canned biscuits and chicken soup for flavor. 

10. Slow Cooker Cacciatore Chicken

This is a recipe that will entice you to return home. This dish must cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low after just 10 minutes of preparation. 

I prefer the slow cooker because I can set it before I leave the house, and dinner will be ready when I return. You won’t need a side dish because it is loaded with vegetables and potatoes.