Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe
Tired of complicated dinners? Craving tender, juicy chicken without all the fuss? This Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero! It’s incredibly easy, requires minimal prep, and the result is chicken so flavorful and moist, it practically melts in your mouth. Even the pickiest eaters in your family will gobble this up, making dinner time a breeze. Get ready to enjoy restaurant-quality chicken without spending hours in the kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe
- Effortless: Just dump the ingredients in and let the crockpot do its magic!
- Versatile: Perfect on its own, in sandwiches, salads, tacos, and more!
- Family-Friendly: Even your kids will love the tender, juicy flavor.
- Healthy-ish: Made with wholesome ingredients and easily customized for dietary needs.
- Freezable: Make a big batch and freeze for future easy meals.
- Budget-Friendly: A great way to make a delicious and filling meal without breaking the bank.
Ingredients for Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix (or homemade blend)
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for a richer flavor)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- Optional: Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Substitutions: For a lighter option, use a low-fat cream of chicken soup or substitute the cream of chicken soup with a can of diced tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream at the end. Want to use chicken thighs? Go for it! They’ll be even more tender.
How to Make Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Crockpot: Lightly grease your crockpot with cooking spray or line it with a crockpot liner for easy cleanup.
- Add the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Combine the Mixes: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing mix, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth.
- Pour Over Chicken: Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Add Butter (Optional): Dot the top with butter or drizzle with olive oil for extra richness.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the Italian dressing mix already contains salt, so go easy on the salt!
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it with two forks.
- Return to Sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to coat it with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy! Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked chicken can be dry. Check for doneness before the recommended cooking time. The chicken should easily shred with a fork.
- Thicken the Sauce: If the sauce is too thin for your liking, remove some of the liquid and mix it with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Pour the mixture back into the crockpot and cook on high for another 15-30 minutes, or until thickened.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in some chopped vegetables, like carrots, celery, or potatoes, for a more complete meal.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy version. Consider using a spicy Italian dressing mix.
- Keto-Friendly: Replace the cream of chicken soup with a mixture of cream cheese and heavy cream for a keto option. Make sure to use a sugar free Italian dressing mix.
This best crockpot chicken recipe is a blank canvas – get creative with your favorite flavors!
Serving Suggestions
The versatility of this best crockpot chicken recipe makes it perfect for serving in countless ways! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Over Rice or Quinoa: Serve the shredded chicken and sauce over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa for a filling and satisfying meal.
- In Sandwiches or Wraps: Use the chicken as a flavorful filling for sandwiches, wraps, or sliders.
- As Taco or Burrito Filling: This chicken is amazing in tacos, burritos, or enchiladas. Add your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. For a healthy variation, try to use the chicken and make a taco salad.
- Mixed into Pasta: Toss the shredded chicken with your favorite pasta and vegetables for a quick and easy pasta dish. This would be perfect in crockpot pasta recipes.
- Served with Roasted Vegetables: Pair this chicken with a side of roasted broccoli, asparagus, or sweet potatoes for a healthy and balanced meal.
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store any leftover best crockpot chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven. If reheating from frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. When reheating in the stove, use a low temperature and let it come to temperature slowly.
FAQ about Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe
Q: Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?
A: While fresh chicken is recommended for best results, you *can* use frozen chicken. However, it will release more liquid, so you may need to thicken the sauce afterwards – see the ‘Pro Tips’ section above. Cooking time will also increase significantly when using frozen chicken best crockpot chicken recipe. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative and will be even more tender. In general, chicken thigh crockpot recipes turn out juicy, as opposed to the chicken breast crockpot recipes when the meat can dry out.
Q: Can I make this recipe without cream of chicken soup?
A: Yes, you can! You can substitute it with a can of diced tomatoes (drained) and a splash of heavy cream or Greek yogurt at the end. Alternatively, you can use a homemade cream sauce made with flour, butter, and milk. This makes this the best healthy chicken crockpot recipes around.
Q: Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
A: Yes! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, celery, onions, or potatoes, to the crockpot along with the chicken. This is an easy way to create a simple crockpot recipes slow cooker meal with a variety of nutrients.
Q: Is this recipe good on keto?
A: Yes with modifications! This can be a great option for keto if you swap the cream of chicken soup for a cream cheese and heavy cream sauce. Also make sure you are using an Italian dressing mix without any sugar added. This is a great addition to your keto crockpot recipes.
Final Thoughts on Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe
This Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and will quickly become a staple in your weekly meal rotation. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want a delicious, satisfying, and healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again easily! And while you are at it, share a picture of your chicken dinner and leave a comment below – I can’t wait to hear how you like it! Finally, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more easy and delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox!
Best Crockpot Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix (or homemade blend)
- 10.75 oz condensed cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for a richer flavor) can
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil Optional
Garnish
- fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary Optional, for garnish
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Crockpot: Lightly grease your crockpot with cooking spray or line it with a crockpot liner for easy cleanup.
- Add the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Combine the Mixes: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing mix, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth.
- Pour Over Chicken: Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Add Butter (Optional): Dot the top with butter or drizzle with olive oil for extra richness.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the Italian dressing mix already contains salt, so go easy on the salt!
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it with two forks.
- Return to Sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to coat it with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy! Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
