Slow-Cooker Chicken Recipes

When it comes to preparing slow-cooker chicken dishes, the possibilities are endless— pulled, breaded, shredded, glazed, or baked. Whether you prefer dark or light meat, what could be more mouth-watering than a delicious chicken dinner? These recipes will have you singing "bird is the word."

Put an Eastern twist on your dinner offering with Sesame-Ginger Chicken. Serve over steamed rice to savor every bit of the sweet Asian glaze. This classic dish is a slow-cooker must have on your weeknight meal planner.

Get the chili started in the morning and keep warm in the slow cooker while you're out. Calling for a mixture of beans and hominy, this recipe boasts bold, rich flavor, something that can often be dulled in a slow cooker. Whirring some of the beans in a food processor thickens the soup, lending a heartier texture to the dish. We suggest serving the soup with green onions, cheese, cilantro, peppers, and plain yogurt, a great substitute for sour cream. 

Tender thighs, and creamy red potatoes simmer to perfection in rich, aromatic jus. White meat can dry out after a long haul in the slow-cooker, so we opt for bone-in thighs to guarantee optimal flavor and succulence. Make prep esier with prepeeled garlic, and pretty-up the platter with lemon slices and thyme sprigs.

The slow cooker gently coaxes out delicious flavors from simple, hearty ingredients. This soup is perfect for ushering in fall: It's hearty enough for the beginning of soup season, yet brothy and veggie-packed so that it doesn't feel too heavy. Pair it with a slaw or kale side salad and crusty whole-grain bread for a light, satisfying dinner. This recipe is ideal for a weekend, when you can check on the slow cooker after just a few hours; though you won't be able to leave the soup unattended all day, this still offers the benefit of hands-free, fuss-free cooking. Either baby red, Yukon Gold, or fingerling potatoes will work well here, as they'll maintain their shape nicely during cooking.

Serve the whole leg quarters over brown basmati rice, or shred the chicken off the bone and layer onto corn tortillas (as shown) with cilantro, radishes, and a squeeze of lime for family taco night.

We love the heat level in this slow cooker take on tikka masala to fend off winter chill. If the spice kick is too much for your family, you can cut the red pepper down by half without losing any of the dynamic flavor layers.

This simple chicken dish becomes much more savory when stuck in a slow cooker. The sweet juice mixture gives the chicken its undeniably delicious flavor. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Get ready to serve a crowd! Baguette pieces continue the French-Cajun theme.

Before there were nachos, there were chilaquiles. Tomatoes and spices simmer with any kind of meat to make the ideal topping for tortilla chips. Here, chipotle, chicken and cilantro meld in this filling Mexican favorite.

Hearty canned chickpeas hold up beautifully in the slow cooker, where they're combined with fragrant spices and just a little stock. Since the chicken cooks on top of the chickpea mixture and is not submerged in liquid, it can cook longer without suffering texturally.

Brown flavorful chicken thighs, then simmer in a slow cooker with garlic, diced tomatoes, and white wine for an Italian-inspired chicken dinner.

The garlic becomes creamy and mellows as it cooks. Spread it on chunks of crusty French baguette and soak up the fabulous sauce as you enjoy every morsel of this super tender chicken.

Think outside the "dish." You can enjoy the flavor and texture of enchiladas in a slow cooker; just stack the tortillas instead of rolling them. We suggest lining your slow cooker with a slow-cooker bag so you can easily remove the stack from the cooker.

All you need is 20 minutes to get this dish in the slow cooker. You'll have a hearty chicken and veggie supper waiting for you when you get home. If you don't care to use the wine, you can use 1/2 cup of additional chicken broth.

If you prefer milder foods, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper. Add warm naan on the side of this classic Indian dish.

Heating the chicken drummettes in the oven helps to brown them. You can also brown them, in batches, in a skillet on the cooktop.

The grated fresh ginger in this classic Chinese recipe makes the chicken extra sweet. Substitute pork tenderloin in place of chicken thighs, if desired.

It's not hard to make your own salsa verde, with fresher flavor and much less sodium than jarred versions: Simply blacken tomatillos, chiles, and onions; then blend.

Serve this saucy dish over polenta or pasta. Transform leftovers into soup: Shred the chicken, and place in a pot with sauce. Add unsalted chicken stock, diced zucchini, and diced carrots; simmer until veggies are tender.

You already love pulled chicken, so why not try it in a slow cooker? Savor this tender, melt-in-your-mouth chicken sandwich with ketchup-based sauce for lunch or dinner.

Give this stew a little crunch by lightly sprinkling almonds on top. The consistencies of the ingredients will mesh nicely with the flavors.

Capturing the simplicity found in sun-drenched Mediterranean cuisine, these braised chicken thighs melt under the influence of bright, vibrant lemon, briny olives and capers, and juicy plum tomatoes. Serve with rosemary-mashed potatoes or over hot basmati rice.

Make your friends "green" with envy at your slow cooker savvy by serving up this savory Southwestern-style entrée, loaded with tomatillos, onion, and roasted poblano and jalapeño peppers. Corn tortillas and a simple green salad round out the menu.

This recipe uses many common pantry and refrigerator staples. All you have to pick up at the supermarket is fresh spinach and chicken thighs.

The Italian word "cacciatore" translates to "hunter" in English, referring to a dish prepared with tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions–"hunter-style."

This slow cooker chicken dish is simple, but packed with rich flavors in the white wine, chopped tomatoes, and variant spices. Serve over hot cooked rice. If you don't care to cook with the wine, use an equal amount of chicken broth.

Salsa and chili powder add spice to this chicken stew, but probably not too much for timid tasters or kids. If you want to kick up the heat, use a hot salsa and a dash of hot sauce or ground red pepper.

Nearly a full dinner, with only five ingredients? Yes, please! This rustic dish takes its cue from the typical fare served in Provence, a region in the southeastern part of France that is known for dishes highlighting fresh local ingredients such as garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, olives, and sweet bell peppers. Be sure to use bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe or substitute bone-in chicken thighs. Skinless, boneless breasts can dry out over the extended cook time in the slow cooker. Serve with a bright salad of mixed baby greens tossed with lemon juice, lemon rind, Dijon mustard, and olive oil.