12 Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

By Betty Gold Updated September 11, 2019

Credit: José Picayo

When it comes to fuss-free dinners, chicken is the ultimate crowd-pleasing ingredient. The versatile, lean meat—whether you're working with boneless breasts, bone-in thighs, or even a straight-from-the-store rotisserie bird—takes to a variety of cuisines, flavors, and cooking techniques. Kids love it, too.

One of our favorite ways to cook chicken is in the slow cooker. This method's a lifesaver for busy weeknights: simply toss your bird in, set it, and forget it until dinnertime. Slow-cooked chicken is incredibly tender, too. For dishes you know you'll want to eat again soon, we recommend doubling up on ingredients and tossing leftovers in the freezer.

Here, we've rounded up some of Real Simple's best, easy-to-make slow cooker chicken recipes your whole family will love. We cover the classics—from Slow Cooker Chicken with Biscuits to Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pie—plus plenty of fresh takes on delicious dinner ideas, like Chicken Mole Chili and Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup.

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Chicken Taco Soup

Credit: Jennifer Causey

This fall-friendly soup tastes delicious with toppings like radishes, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, and fresh corn. For added crunch, throw on some tortilla chips, too.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Credit: David Prince

Garam masala—a mix of spices that includes cumin, cinnamon, coriander, and cayenne—gives this dish its classic Indian flair.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Mole Chili Recipe

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

The flavors of irresistible mole snuck their way into this mouthwatering slow-cooker chicken chili recipe. Mole, a rich Mexican sauce usually containing raisins and chocolate, makes everything better. Leftovers love to play with tacos and enchiladas, so this is basically the chili that keeps on giving.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Mole Chili

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Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken With Biscuits

Credit: José Picayo

Serve this comforting slow-cooked stew with warm biscuits to sop up the luscious sauce.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken With Biscuits

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Slow-Cooker Soy-Glazed Chicken With Stir-Fried Vegetables

Credit: Marcus Nilsson

A little Asian fish sauce enriches this dish with a deep, savory umami taste.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Soy-Glazed Chicken With Stir-Fried Vegetables

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Slow cooker Chicken Congee

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Making this congee recipe in the slow-cooker not only allows for hands-off cooking, it infuses the coconut milk-base with even more flavor. Suggested toppings include cilantro and Sriracha, but almost any savory element tastes great on top—roasted mushrooms, a fried egg, even avocado would all be equally at home here.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Congee