The 13 Best Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

There are so many great ways to spend a fall day -- picking apples, carving pumpkins, watching 12 hours of Naked and Afraid XL -- but slaving over a stove is definitely not one of them. Luckily though, these 13 excellent slow cooker chicken recipes don't need much attention beyond a 15 minute prep time. So whether it's wings for game night or a whole bird for a family feast, your dinner definitely won't taste like you just spent all day watching a stripped-down survival show.

Courtesy of Le Creme De La Crumb

The spicy saucy chicken is infinitely adaptable to whatever form you want to eat it in. Served in a taco, burrito or quesadilla, or on rice, it's bound to wind up in a regular dinner rotation. Recipe here

Key ingredients:

  • Chipotle peppers
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Tomato sauce
  • Apple cider vinegar
Courtesy of How Sweet It Is

This recipe -- which calls for chicken breast to soak in amber ale for eight hours -- makes enough for about nine people but go ahead and serve only yourself with it for a week. We're not here to judge. Chow down now!

Key ingredients:

  • Smoked paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Beer
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Courtesy of Le Creme de la Crumb

Though it's made with simple, everyday ingredients, this Szechuan-style stir-fry doesn’t skimp on flavor. Get the recipe here

Key ingredients:

  • Soy sauce
  • Minced garlic
  • Red chile paste
  • Red bell pepper
  • Zucchini
Courtesy of Damn Delicious

They're crazy simple to make, plus healthier than typical fried wings. The meat falls right off the bone. Try it here!

Key ingredients:

  • Chicken wings
  • Soy sauce
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Brown sugar
  • Honey
Courtesy of Damn Delicious

These bite-sized Buffalo sauce-soaked balls are made with Panko, which is a Japanese-style breadcrumb. It's not as dense as standard breadcrumbs, which makes it almost always the best option for delicate meatball/meatloaf mixtures. Here it is!

Key ingredients:

  • Ground chicken
  • Panko
  • Large egg
  • Green onions
  • Buffalo sauce
Courtesy of Cooking for Keeps

The sweet blackberry preserves and oaky molasses are the perfect foil to the spicy jalapeños. Add pepper jack cheese, bacon, and a pretzel bun, and completely rethink chicken thighs. Recipe here.

Key ingredients:

  • Blackberry preserves
  • Chicken stock
  • Molasses
  • Jalapeños
  • Chicken thighs
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

With fresh corn and barbecue sauce, it's the perfect summer-to-fall transition dish. Use a pumpkin beer for added autumnal flavor. Get the recipe!

Key ingredients:

  • Honey
  • Smoked paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Chipotle chile powder
Courtesy of Damn Delicious

If you plan to crisp up the skin under the broiler at the end, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Otherwise, boneless and skinless thighs will do just fine. Get the recipe.

Key ingredients:

  • Baby red potatoes
  • Baby carrots
  • Green beans
  • Chicken thighs
  • Soy sauce
Courtesy of How Sweet It Is

Chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese, roasted peppers, and spinach and roasted in white wine for eight hours looks and tastes way fancier than it actually is. Get the recipe

Key ingredients:

  • Roasted red peppers
  • Spinach
  • Goat cheese
  • Dry white wine
  • Skinless chicken breasts
Courtesy of Le Creme de la Crumb

Though this Chinese favorite takes about four hours longer than delivery, it's healthier than its takeout counterpart, and tastier too. Get the recipe here

Key ingredients:

  • Hoisin sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Minced garlic
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

Butter chicken -- an Indian chicken and spiced curry dish -- is traditionally cooked in a tandoor (a clay oven) but when all you've got is a Crock-Pot, it doesn't have to be. Don’t forget the naan to wipe the plate clean. Get cooking here.

Key ingredients:

  • Curry paste
  • Garam masala
  • Tomato paste
  • Coconut milk
  • Greek yogurt
Courtesy of The Chic Site

The chunks of chicken breast will be so tender after stewing for six hours that they'll basically shred up on their own. Recipe here.

Key ingredients:

  • Boneless chicken
  • Chicken broth or stock
  • Taco seasoning mix
  • Onion
  • Crushed tomatoes
Courtesy of The Little Kitchen

Prep in the morning and a whole family feast will be ready by dinnertime. Added perk: leftovers make for a mean chicken potpie. Cook it up!

Key ingredients:

  • Roasting chicken
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Onion powder
  • Carrots


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Alisha Prakash is a contributing writer at Thrillist NYC. She doesn't trust people who don't like ice cream. You can find more of her musings on her website or follow her on Twitter or Instagram.