Introduction
Crockpot chicken recipes are a lifesaver for busy weeknights. They allow you to set it and forget it, resulting in tender, flavorful chicken that pairs perfectly with a variety of dressings. Whether you’re looking for a classic combination or something more adventurous, there’s a crockpot chicken and dressing recipe to suit every taste. In this article, we’ll explore 10 delightful crockpot chicken and dressing recipes that are easy to prepare and packed with flavor. So, let’s dive in and discover the perfect crockpot chicken and dressing combinations!
Why Use a Crockpot for Chicken and Dressing?
Using a crockpot for chicken and dressing recipes is a great way to save time and effort in the kitchen. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in tender, juicy chicken that’s infused with flavor. Plus, the crockpot keeps the chicken moist, making it a perfect canvas for a variety of dressings. Whether you prefer creamy, tangy, or sweet dressings, there’s a combination that will suit your palate.
10 Delightful Crockpot Chicken and Dressing Recipes
Crockpot Chicken Fajitas with Salsa Dressing
Crockpot chicken fajitas with salsa dressing are a flavorful and easy-to-prepare meal. The salsa dressing adds a zesty kick to the tender chicken and vegetables.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 packet fajita seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Tortillas and additional toppings for serving
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, sliced onion, and sliced bell pepper in the crockpot.
- Pour the diced tomatoes and fajita seasoning over the chicken and vegetables.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and mix with the vegetables and juices.
- In a small bowl, mix the salsa and olive oil to make the salsa dressing.
- Serve the chicken fajitas with the salsa dressing, tortillas, and your favorite toppings.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos with Avocado Lime Dressing
Crockpot chicken tacos with avocado lime dressing are a refreshing and flavorful option. The creamy avocado lime dressing complements the tender chicken perfectly.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 avocado, mashed
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Tortillas and additional toppings for serving
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken and pour the chicken broth over the top.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and mix with the juices.
- In a small bowl, mix the mashed avocado, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the avocado lime dressing.
- Serve the chicken tacos with the avocado lime dressing, tortillas, and your favorite toppings.
Crockpot Chicken Curry with Coconut Dressing
Crockpot chicken curry with coconut dressing is a creamy and aromatic dish. The coconut dressing adds a rich, tropical flavor to the tender chicken.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Rice or naan for serving
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, chopped onion, minced garlic, curry powder, cumin, and coriander in the crockpot.
- Pour the coconut milk and chicken broth over the chicken and spices.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
- Stir the slurry into the crockpot and cook for an additional 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Serve the chicken curry with the coconut dressing, rice, or naan.
Crockpot Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Herb Dressing
Crockpot chicken and vegetable soup with herb dressing is a hearty and comforting meal. The herb dressing adds a fresh, aromatic flavor to the tender chicken and vegetables.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove the chicken and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the herb dressing.
- Serve the chicken and vegetable soup with the herb dressing.
Crockpot BBQ Chicken with Honey Mustard Dressing
Crockpot BBQ chicken with honey mustard dressing is a sweet and tangy combination. The honey mustard dressing adds a delightful kick to the tender, barbecue-flavored chicken.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Buns for serving
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the honey mustard dressing.
- Pour the honey mustard dressing over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and mix with the sauce.
- Serve the BBQ chicken with the honey mustard dressing on buns.
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken with Sesame Ginger Dressing
Crockpot teriyaki chicken with sesame ginger dressing is a flavorful and aromatic dish. The sesame ginger dressing adds a delightful Asian-inspired flavor to the tender chicken.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- Optional: Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- In a small bowl, mix the sesame oil, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water to make the sesame ginger dressing.
- Stir the sesame ginger dressing into the crockpot and cook for an additional 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired, and serve hot.
Crockpot Chicken and Rice with Lemon Dill Dressing
Crockpot chicken and rice with lemon dill dressing is a hearty and comforting meal. The lemon dill dressing adds a fresh, zesty flavor to the tender chicken and rice.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, uncooked rice, chicken broth, chopped onion, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and dried dill in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender and the rice is cooked.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the lemon dill dressing.
- Serve the chicken and rice with the lemon dill dressing.
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan with Tomato Basil Dressing
Crockpot chicken Parmesan with tomato basil dressing is a cheesy and comforting meal. The tomato basil dressing adds a rich, savory flavor to the tender chicken.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Pasta for serving
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the tomato basil dressing.
- Serve the chicken Parmesan with the tomato basil dressing and pasta.
Crockpot Chicken and Potato Stew with Creamy Dressing
Crockpot chicken and potato stew with creamy dressing is a hearty and satisfying meal. The creamy dressing adds a rich, velvety texture to the tender chicken and potatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 potatoes, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, chopped potatoes, chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, and chicken broth in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender and the potatoes are cooked.
- In a small bowl, mix the heavy cream, cornstarch, and water to make the creamy dressing.
- Stir the creamy dressing into the crockpot and cook for an additional 10 minutes to thicken the stew.
- Serve the chicken and potato stew hot.
Crockpot Chicken and Lentil Stew with Spicy Dressing
Crockpot chicken and lentil stew with spicy dressing is a hearty and flavorful meal. The spicy dressing adds a delightful kick to the tender chicken and lentils.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts, dried lentils, chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender and the lentils are cooked.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the spicy dressing.
- Serve the chicken and lentil stew with the spicy dressing.
Tips for Cooking Chicken in a Crockpot
Cooking chicken in a crockpot is a great way to create flavorful and tender meals with minimal effort. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your crockpot chicken recipes:
- Use Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for crockpot recipes as they cook evenly and remain tender.
- Add Liquid: Always add enough liquid to the crockpot to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and remains moist. This can be chicken broth, water, or a combination of both.
- Season Generously: Don’t be afraid to season the chicken generously with herbs, spices, and sauces. This will enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cooking the chicken on low for a longer period ensures that it remains tender and juicy. High heat can sometimes result in dry or tough chicken.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks to ensure it absorbs the flavors of the sauce and dressings evenly.
FAQs
How Long Should I Cook Chicken in a Crockpot?
You should cook chicken in a crockpot on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until it is cooked through and tender. The exact time may vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and the specific recipe.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken in a Crockpot?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken in a crockpot. Simply add the frozen chicken breasts to the crockpot and increase the cooking time by about 1-2 hours to ensure they cook through completely.
What Are Some Healthy Dressing Options for Crockpot Chicken?
Some healthy dressing options for crockpot chicken include vinaigrettes made with olive oil and vinegar, tahini dressing, and Greek yogurt-based dressings. These options are lower in calories and fat compared to creamy dressings.
Can I Make Crockpot Chicken Recipes Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make crockpot chicken recipes ahead of time. Prepare the ingredients and place them in the crockpot, then refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply turn on the crockpot and let it cook while you’re away.
What Are Some Creative Ways to Use Crockpot Chicken?
Some creative ways to use crockpot chicken include making chicken wraps, chicken bowls, or chicken pizzas. You can also use the cooked chicken as a filling for sandwiches or as a topping for salads.
Can I Freeze Crockpot Chicken Recipes?
Yes, you can freeze crockpot chicken recipes. Allow the cooked chicken to cool, then portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Conclusion
Crockpot chicken and dressing recipes are a delicious and convenient way to enjoy tender, flavorful chicken. From classic combinations like chicken fajitas with salsa dressing to more adventurous pairings like chicken and lentil stew with spicy dressing, there’s a recipe to suit every taste. So, next time you’re looking for an easy and flavorful meal, try one of these crockpot chicken and dressing recipes and enjoy a delicious, hassle-free dinner.