Our Editors Have These Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipes on Repeat
Soups and stews are only the beginning. How about pizza and pasta salad? Yes, in a slow cooker!
Our best slow cooker chicken breast recipes prove that this combo—chicken and the beloved countertop appliance—can conquer soup, stew, and so much more. These slow cooker chicken breast recipes for pasta salad, pizza, and takeout-inspired chicken and noodles are easy to assemble (and even easier to adore).
BBQ Chicken-Pineapple Pizza
Yes you can recreate Chicago-style deep dish right at home. And you don’t even need to flip on the oven! This slow cooker chicken breast recipe starts with prepared pizza dough (snag some from a local parlor, supermarket, or make your own pizza dough). Then layer on barbecue sauce, leftover or rotisserie chicken, cheese, and pineapple pieces if you please (we know that can be a controversial topping!).
Tomatillo Chicken Soup
Chicken soup gets a Tex-Mex spin in this versatile and vibrantly-flavored dinner. Fans have made this their own by adding black beans, bell peppers, and extra onions. But the base that includes canned diced green chiles, cilantro, jalapeño, lime, and chicken is delicious on its own. This is especially true if you substitute your spoon with tortilla chips.
Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken and Noodles
Soy sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and red chiles set the tone for the takeout-inspired sauce that’s the star of this slow cooker chicken breast recipe. This is the ultimate dinner idea to turn to when you’re in the mood for chicken pasta with a dash of global flair. Complete the restaurant copycat recipe with peanuts and green onions, and a round of fortune cookies if you’re feeling extra.
Greek Chicken with Cucumber Salad
A light and refreshing slow cooker chicken breast recipe does exist. So as spring shifts into summer, don’t put the appliance in storage. Featuring plenty of punchy fresh lemon juice, verdant oregano, parsley, and mint, as well as a crunchy and cool yogurt-cucumber salad to pair with the chicken main dish, this is a summer slow cooker recipe you’ll definitely want to add to your regular rotation.
Creamy Basil Chicken and Vegetables
Speaking of spring and summer, that’s prime time for this slow cooker chicken breast recipe. Asparagus, basil, and sweet peppers play a starring role. Their garden-fresh qualities complement the savory pancetta and chicken beautifully, but the produce and protein is just the beginning. A splash of heavy whipping cream, white wine, and chicken stock team up in the silky sauce, which is begging to be spooned over the chicken and a big bed of orzo.
Greek Oregano Chicken with Spinach, Orzo, and Grape Tomatoes
In partnership with some hands-off time, a little parsley, oregano, basil, and garlic go a long way. Slow-cooking Mediterranean-seasoned chicken in a pool of stock not only makes this chicken breast dinner idea a cinch to prepare, but it also infuses the protein with far more flavor and juiciness. “The flavors are bold and complementary,” one BHG fan says, declaring this a “great meal to serve to family and guests.”
Test Kitchen Tip: We call for cooking the orzo simultaneously as the chicken finishes up, but if you’d like to make the most of that hearty chicken stock, use it as the cooking liquid for the itty-bitty pasta.
Nacho Cheese Chicken Chowder
If a 5-ingredient slow cooker promise isn’t enough to sell you on this recipe, the prep time—10 minutes—likely will. As will the finished product. After 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high, you’ll be treated to six big bowls of chicken stew that allows you to scoop up pub-style nacho cheese with a spoon.
Test Kitchen Tip: Set out a buffet of avocado slices, diced green onion, fresh cilantro, diced tomato, cornbread, and/or tortilla chips for an interactive toppings station.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya
No need to choose between chicken or shrimp tonight. This low-fuss, high-reward jambalaya features both, plus the “holy trinity” of Creole cooking, plenty of Cajun seasoning, and rice. All of this cooks together in stages in the same pot, so cleaning up after this jambalaya recipe is a breeze.
Related: Spice Substitutes to Save Your Recipes in a Pinch
Spicy Chipotle Chicken Lentil Stew
With chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and brown lentils, this is one stew that will definitely satisfy. It’s also an ideal option if you’re seeking a slow cooker chicken breast recipe that can simmer low and slow all day; prep it at breakfast around 8 a.m., and you’ll be all set just in time for dinner at 6 p.m. Even if you’re not a fan of fiery heat, you’ll want to give this a shot. Instead of a sweat-inducing kick, the “spicy” moniker refers to warm elements like chili powder, cumin, and chipotles in adobo.
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
You’re probably more familiar with utilizing cream of mushroom soup in tuna noodle or green bean casseroles, which is never a bad idea. That said, we highly recommend you also keep an extra can handy to set the foundation for this slow cooker chicken breast recipe. It’s inspired by an entrée you might order at a Chinese-American restaurant, and asks for just 15 minutes of prep time. Chicken and mushrooms layer on even more umami, while cashews and water chestnuts add a pleasant amount of crunch.
Kickin' Chicken Chili
No need to make an extra stop at the grocery store before preparing dinner tonight. This unique chili recipe calls for only pantry and freezer staples. Green salsa, frozen stir-fry vegetables, canned beans, canned tomatoes, and chicken breasts, plus oil and spices, team up to taste complex enough to make a strong showing at any chili cook-off.
Test Kitchen Tip: Our secret to take this slow cooker chicken breast recipe to the next level? Invest about 10 minutes and cook the cumin-seasoned chicken in a skillet before adding it to the pot.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Earn the game-day entertaining trophy by stirring together this chicken wing-inspired dip recipe before guests arrive. The rivalry might be heated during the match, but you’ll be able to keep the peace since the creamy Buffalo chicken dip gives a nod to blue cheese (via crumbles) and ranch (thanks to a packet of salad dressing mix). It’s especially a winner with carrots and celery, although it’s terrific with tortilla chips, crackers, or pita wedges, too.
Red Bean, Chicken, and Sweet Potato Stew
Give a hat tip to West Africa with this soul-warming stew. Chicken breasts and thighs, red beans, sweet potatoes, and a bounty of tomatoes get a boost by way of nutty, creamy peanut butter and punchy Cajun seasoning. Garnish with a handful of chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro, and prepare to spoon one of the most comforting slow cooker chicken breast recipes that’s ever left our Test Kitchen.
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
Picky eaters swoon over this easy slow cooker chicken recipe. (Yes, even though it contains mushrooms!) “ My kids LOVED this and so did I,” one five-star reviewer says. She gives credit to the combination of jarred Alfredo sauce, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, which add enticing comfort food elements to the quick-prep chicken and noodles.
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