4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Get ready for a dish that brings taste, convenience, and minimalism to your kitchen. This slow cooker chicken recipe, made with just four main ingredients, serves up comfort on a plate every time. When I’m in a pinch and need something tasty for dinner that everyone will love, this is it! Perfect set-it-and-forget-it cooking; everything goes into the slow cooker and comes out delicious!

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With its blend of simplicity and scrumptiousness, this 4-ingredient slow cooker chicken will quickly become a go-to in your house. It couldn’t be any easier to make, and the flavors are really quite good! You can jazz it up with a few more spices – see my suggestions below – or stick to the 4 main ingredients which you may already have on hand!

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: You can substitute with thighs if you prefer darker meat.
• Cream of chicken soup: This adds a wonderful creaminess to the dish. For a healthier alternative, you can use homemade or low-sodium soup.
• 1 box stuffing mix: This is the magic ingredient that sets this recipe apart. You can use any brand or any flavor.
• Water or chicken broth: Either will work, but chicken broth will add a bit more flavor. Consider using a low-sodium broth to control the salt content.
• Optional ingredients: For extra flavor, consider adding 1/4 teaspoon each of dried thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.

How to Make The Best 4-Ingredient Chicken

Start by pouring water or chicken broth into the bottom of your slow cooker. I like using a programmable slow cooker with a digital display so I can set it and forget it, knowing it’ll automatically switch to warm when the cook time is done. This keeps the chicken juicy without overcooking.

Next, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. A magnetic spice rack setup keeps my go-to seasonings within reach, and it sticks to the side of the fridge! GENIUS! Once the chicken is seasoned, lay the pieces in a single layer directly into the slow cooker over the liquid.

In a separate bowl, combine the stuffing mix and cream of chicken soup until well blended. You can stir in optional herbs like sage or parsley if you want to punch up the flavor. I like mixing this in a steel mixing bowl because it’s lightweight, grippy on the counter, and easy to clean. Spread the stuffing mixture over the chicken, gently pressing it down so it stays in place.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for about 3 to 4 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. A good digital meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of this step and ensures your chicken is cooked through without drying out.

Once it’s done, fluff the stuffing a bit with a fork and serve it hot. This dish is pure comfort food, made easier with just a few smart tools and no unnecessary steps.

Chef Jenn’s tips

• You can use frozen chicken breasts, but you’ll have to add about 2 hours (or more) to the cooking time.
• Use cream of mushroom soup for a slightly different flavor, or add chopped carrots, chopped onion, mushrooms or even a few potatoes to the crock pot under the chicken.
• Use low-sodium soup or season the chicken very lightly. It will be too salty if you season the chicken well AND use regular cream soup.
• Scoop up the sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker and serve it as gravy.

Recommended

Make It A Meal

This dish pairs beautifully with many sides. For a comforting meal, serve it alongside mashed potatoes and green beans. If you’re looking for something lighter, a simple mixed salad or steamed veggies would work perfectly. And, of course, a crusty bread roll is ideal for mopping up any leftover sauce!

Storage

Store any leftover 4-ingredient chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It’ll heat up fine in the microwave on low power or warm it in a low oven in a covered casserole dish.

Step By Step Process