Delicious & Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes - Tender and Flavorful Meals

The Benefits of Cooking Chicken in a Crockpot

Crockpots have become an increasingly popular way to cook chicken. Using a slow cooker to prepare chicken has many advantages over traditional stovetop or oven cooking methods. Crockpots cook food slowly over long periods, resulting in chicken that is extremely tender and flavorful. The extended cook times also allow seasonings and ingredients to fully permeate the chicken to infuse it with taste.

Moist and Tender Chicken

Chicken cooked in a crockpot is renowned for being exceptionally moist and tender. The low heat and indirect simmering action gently cooks the chicken without drying it out. As the chicken cooks, natural collagen converts into gelatin, keeping the meat juicy. The moisture is locked in since the crockpot's lid prevents steam from escaping.

Searing chicken before placing it into the slow cooker can help seal in natural juices as well. However, this step is optional. Even chicken cooked directly in the crockpot with no prior browning will become fall-off-the-bone tender after 6-8 hours.

Intensified Flavors

Slow cooking chicken allows you to build deep, complex flavors. All those herbs, spices, vegetables, and sauce ingredients have hours to mingle and penetrate the chicken. This leads to highly seasoned and tasty shredded chicken that makes excellent tacos, sandwiches, casseroles, and more.

You can experiment with all sorts of seasonings like garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, chili powder, lemon, and oregano. The longer cook time gives the flavors a chance to develop without risk of burning.

Convenience

Crockpots make cooking chicken an absolute breeze. Just throw in your ingredients, set the timer, and let it cook away. The crockpot does all the work while you go about your day.

Clean up is easy too since everything cooks in one pot. No need to worry about burnt pans or messy stovetops. Furthermore, most crockpot liner bags and cooking receptacles are dishwasher safe.

Budget-Friendly

Whole chickens and bone-in chicken pieces tend to be cheaper than boneless skinless chicken breasts. Cooking chicken with the bone in also improves flavor and moisture. Using more budget-friendly cuts like thighs and drumsticks can help save money with delicious results.

Inexpensive pantry items like broth, tomatoes, onions, celery, and carrots also pair nicely. You likely already have many slow cooker-friendly ingredients at home.

Delicious Crockpot Chicken Recipes

Here are some tasty crockpot chicken recipes to try:

Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Balsamic vinegar adds a wonderful tangy sweetness to these crockpot chicken thighs. They come out of the slow cooker lacquered with a beautiful glaze.

Buffalo Chicken

Shredded buffalo chicken is perfect for topping salads and wraps. Cook chicken in hot sauce and ranch dressing then shred. The flavors meld together for perfect spicy buffalo chicken.

Chicken Tikka Masala

All those aromatic spices in this classic Indian dish get a chance to permeate the chicken. It infuses the meat with lots of flavor. Just add the sauce and serve over rice.

Jerk Chicken

Transport your taste buds to the Caribbean with spicy and flavorful jerk chicken. Well-balanced Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, and more make this a favorite.

Chicken Fajitas

Skip the restaurant and make chicken fajitas at home. Cook chicken with onions, peppers, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Wrap up in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Tips for Crockpot Chicken Success

Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of cooking chicken in your crockpot:

Properly Thaw Chicken

Always thaw frozen chicken safely in the fridge before placing in the slow cooker. Putting frozen chicken directly into the crockpot can lead to unsafe temperatures and bacteria growth.

Use the Right Size Crockpot

It's important to properly fill your slow cooker. An overfilled crockpot may not reach safe internal temperatures. But too little food can lead to overcooked, dry chicken. Refer to manufacturer guidelines for filling suggestions.

Keep Temperatures in Mind

Food safety is crucial when using a crockpot. Ensure your slow cooker reaches 140°F as quickly as possible and maintain temperatures over 165°F. Models with timers make monitoring this easy.

Resist Opening the Lid

Don't lift that lid! Every time you open the crockpot, heat escapes. This can significantly increase cook times. Use a digital slow cooker so you can monitor progress without lifting the lid.

Crockpots make whipping up flavorful chicken suppers easy. With so many family-friendly recipes to try, you're sure to find some new crockpot chicken favorites.

FAQs

What cut of chicken works best in a crockpot?

Bone-in chicken pieces like breasts, thighs, and drumsticks work very well. The bones help add moisture and flavor. Skinless boneless breasts can dry out more easily. Always make sure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F internally before serving.

How long should you cook chicken in a crockpot?

Most whole chicken pieces or bone-in parts require 6-8 hours on low heat. Chicken breasts may only need 4-6 hours. Make sure to always use a food thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Can you put frozen chicken directly into a slow cooker?

Never put frozen chicken into a cold crockpot. Always thaw it first in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Putting frozen chicken into a warmed up slow cooker may be risky since it could stay in the bacterial "danger zone" temperatures too long while defrosting.

Should crockpot chicken recipes contain liquid?

Yes, you typically want around 1 cup of broth, water, or sauce to help create steam and prevent the ingredients from drying out. The moisture helps impart juiciness while everything simmers together.