30 Cozy Slow Cooker Dinners for Busy Weeknights
By Marcus Bell · Updated June 19, 2026
There is a particular kind of relief that comes from lifting a slow cooker lid at the end of a long day and finding dinner already done. The work happened hours ago, in a quiet kitchen, while you were somewhere else entirely. That is the whole promise of this collection: real cooking that asks for ten minutes in the morning and gives you a tender, deeply flavored meal by evening.
Slow cookers shine because low, steady heat does things fast methods cannot. Tough, inexpensive cuts like chuck roast and pork shoulder break down into fork tender comfort, dried beans turn creamy, and flavors have all afternoon to marry. You get the kind of depth that usually takes a watchful stovetop, except the stove does the watching for you.
Every recipe below is a genuine slow cooker method, written to be made start to finish in your crock pot, with five or six everyday ingredients and a handful of simple steps. Soups, roasts, saucy chicken, party dips, and weeknight workhorses are all here, organized so you can scroll until something sounds like exactly what tonight needs. Bookmark the ones that call to you and let the slow cooker carry the week.
Jump to a recipe
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Beef Chili
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
- Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
- Slow Cooker Lasagna
- Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo
- Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
- Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Slow Cooker Party Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
- Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
- Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Gravy
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
- Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
- Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken
1.Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This is the dinner that smells like home by three in the afternoon. A well marbled chuck roast turns meltingly tender over a bed of potatoes and carrots, all of it bathed in a rich, savory gravy.
Searing the roast before it goes in is worth the extra five minutes. That browned crust builds a backbone of flavor the slow cooker alone cannot replicate.
Ingredients
- 3 lb beef chuck roast
- 1.5 lb baby potatoes
- 4 carrots, cut in chunks
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Season the roast generously and sear on all sides in a hot skillet.
- Add potatoes and carrots to the slow cooker, then set the roast on top.
- Whisk broth, soup mix, and tomato paste; pour over everything.
- Cover and cook on low 8 hours until the meat shreds easily.
- Rest 10 minutes, then spoon the gravy over thick slices.
2.Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Few things say comfort like pillowy dumplings floating in a creamy chicken broth. This version keeps it weeknight simple by using refrigerated biscuit dough torn right into the pot.
Add the dumplings only in the last hour and resist lifting the lid. They steam to fluffy tenderness, and peeking lets the heat escape and leaves them gummy.
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
Instructions
- Add chicken, soup, broth, and seasoning to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 5 hours, then shred the chicken in the pot.
- Stir in the peas and carrots until warmed through.
- Tear biscuits into pieces and drop them across the surface.
- Cover and cook on high 1 hour until the dumplings are set.
3.Slow Cooker Beef Stew
A proper beef stew should be thick enough to coat a spoon and rich enough to feel like a hug. Long, slow cooking is exactly what turns chuck into spoon tender chunks.
Toss the beef in flour before browning. It seals in juices and gives the broth a built in thickener so the stew finishes glossy, not watery.
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef stew meat
- 3 tbsp flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 lb potatoes, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Toss beef in flour, then brown in batches in a hot skillet.
- Transfer beef to the slow cooker with potatoes and carrots.
- Pour in broth and Worcestershire and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low 8 hours until the beef is fork tender.
- Taste, adjust salt, and serve in deep bowls.
4.Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Bright, smoky, and loaded with toppings, this soup is the kind of thing that feels like a party in a bowl. Everything goes in at once, so there is almost no prep beyond opening cans.
Crisp your own tortilla strips in the oven instead of buying chips. They stay crunchy longer and add a toasty corn flavor that ties the whole bowl together.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breasts
- 1 can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
Instructions
- Place chicken, tomatoes, beans, corn, broth, and seasoning in the pot.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the soup.
- Stir well and let it heat through for a few minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, avocado, and tortilla strips.
5.Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This is the recipe that feeds a crowd and barely makes you break a sweat. A pork shoulder seasoned with a simple dry rub becomes juicy, shreddable barbecue after a long, lazy cook.
Drain off most of the cooking liquid before saucing. The fat and juices keep the meat moist while it cooks, but tossing it all back in waters down your barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 lb pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 sliced onion
- 1.5 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Rub the pork all over with brown sugar, paprika, and salt.
- Lay onion in the slow cooker and set the pork on top.
- Pour broth around the sides and cover.
- Cook on low 9 hours until the pork pulls apart easily.
- Drain the liquid, shred the meat, and toss with barbecue sauce.
6.Slow Cooker Beef Chili
A big pot of chili is the ultimate set it and forget it dinner, and it only gets better as it simmers. This one balances hearty ground beef with two kinds of beans and a deep chili spice base.
Brown the beef and onions first and drain the grease. Skipping that step leaves a layer of fat on top and mutes the smoky chili flavor you worked to build.
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 diced onion
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can pinto beans
- 3 tbsp chili powder
Instructions
- Brown the beef with the onion, then drain the fat.
- Add beef to the slow cooker with tomatoes, both beans, and chili powder.
- Stir in a cup of water and season with salt and cumin.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours, stirring once if you can.
- Serve topped with cheese, sour cream, and chopped onion.
7.Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Creamy, mildly spicy, and a welcome change from the usual red chili, this white version leans on green chiles and white beans. It comes together with pantry staples and almost no chopping.
Mash a portion of the beans against the side of the pot before serving. That little trick thickens the chili naturally without flour or cream.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breasts
- 2 cans white beans
- 1 can diced green chiles
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 4 oz cream cheese
Instructions
- Add chicken, beans, chiles, broth, and cumin to the pot.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred the chicken and stir it back in.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Mash some beans to thicken, then ladle into bowls.
8.Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Takeout flavor without the takeout, this saucy beef and broccoli is a weeknight hero. Flank steak soaks up a glossy soy and garlic sauce while it cooks low and slow.
Add the broccoli only in the final thirty minutes. Throwing it in early turns it gray and mushy, but a short cook keeps it bright and just tender.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb flank steak, sliced thin
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
Instructions
- Add the sliced steak to the slow cooker.
- Whisk broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic, then pour over.
- Cover and cook on low 4 hours until the beef is tender.
- Stir in the broccoli and cook 30 minutes more.
- Thicken with a cornstarch slurry and serve over rice.
9.Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing beats a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup when the day has worn you down. Slow cooking the chicken with aromatics builds a broth far richer than anything from a can.
Cook the noodles separately and add them to each bowl. Egg noodles left in the pot for hours soak up all the broth and turn to mush by leftover time.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb bone in chicken thighs
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 diced onion
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz egg noodles
Instructions
- Add chicken, carrots, celery, onion, and broth to the pot.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken, discard skin and bones, and shred the meat.
- Meanwhile, boil the egg noodles separately until just tender.
- Return chicken to the pot and add noodles to each bowl.
10.Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
This cult favorite roast is almost embarrassingly easy and ridiculously good. A chuck roast cooks down with tangy pepperoncini and butter into the most savory, fall apart beef imaginable.
Do not skip the pepperoncini juice. That splash of brine is the secret behind the signature tang that makes this roast so addictive.
Ingredients
- 3 lb chuck roast
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- 1 stick butter
- 6 pepperoncini peppers
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini juice
Instructions
- Place the roast in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the ranch and au jus mixes evenly over the top.
- Set the butter and peppers on the roast and add the juice.
- Cover and cook on low 8 hours without stirring.
- Shred the beef and stir it through the buttery juices.
11.Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
Fall off the bone ribs without firing up a grill feel like a small miracle. The slow cooker turns a rack of baby backs impossibly tender while a dry rub does the seasoning.
Finish them under the broiler for a few minutes after cooking. That quick blast caramelizes the sauce into a sticky, lacquered crust that the slow cooker cannot give you.
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Remove the membrane and rub ribs with sugar and spices.
- Coil the racks along the walls of the slow cooker.
- Pour the vinegar into the bottom and cover.
- Cook on low 7 hours until the meat pulls back from the bones.
- Brush with sauce and broil 5 minutes until sticky.
12.Slow Cooker Lasagna
Yes, you can make real layered lasagna in a slow cooker, and it frees up your oven entirely. Noodles, meat sauce, and three cheeses melt together into cozy, comforting layers.
Use regular noodles rather than no boil, and break them to fit. They soften perfectly in the sauce, and the moisture from the slow cooker does the cooking for you.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Brown the beef, drain, and stir in the marinara.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of the pot.
- Layer noodles, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella; repeat to the top.
- Finish with sauce and the remaining cheeses.
- Cover and cook on low 4 hours, then rest 20 minutes before slicing.
13.Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo
Creamy, garlicky alfredo with tender chicken is pure weeknight indulgence. The slow cooker keeps the chicken juicy and builds a sauce that clings to every noodle.
Stir the cream and parmesan in only at the end. Dairy added too early can curdle over long cooking, so you want it warmed gently right before serving.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breasts
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- 1 lb fettuccine
Instructions
- Add chicken, garlic, and broth to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 5 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred or slice the chicken and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the cream and parmesan until the sauce is smooth.
- Toss with cooked fettuccine and serve right away.
14.Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Deeply caramelized onions are the soul of this soup, and the slow cooker makes that hours long job nearly effortless. The result is a sweet, savory broth crowned with melted cheese and toasted bread.
Give the onions a full day to caramelize on low before adding broth. Rushing this step leaves them pale and sharp instead of jammy and sweet.
Ingredients
- 5 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 6 slices baguette, toasted
- 2 cups shredded gruyere
Instructions
- Toss onions with melted butter in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 8 hours until deep golden and jammy.
- Add broth and Worcestershire, then cook 2 more hours.
- Ladle into oven safe bowls and top with toast and gruyere.
- Broil until the cheese is bubbling and browned.
15.Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef in a creamy mushroom sauce over noodles is the definition of cozy. The slow cooker tenderizes the beef all day so the dish comes together with just a final stir.
Add the sour cream off the heat at the very end. Boiling it will cause it to split, leaving a grainy sauce instead of a silky one.
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef stew meat
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 1 diced onion
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 12 oz egg noodles
Instructions
- Add beef, mushrooms, onion, and broth to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 7 hours until the beef is tender.
- Thicken with a cornstarch slurry if needed.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream.
- Serve over hot buttered egg noodles.
16.Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet, sticky, and savory all at once, this honey garlic chicken is a guaranteed family pleaser. Boneless thighs stay juicy in a sauce that practically begs to be spooned over rice.
Reduce the sauce on the stovetop after cooking if you like it thicker. A few minutes at a simmer turns the cooking liquid into a glossy glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp dried basil
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
- Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, and basil.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and turn to coat.
- Cover and cook on low 5 hours until tender.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve with rice.
17.Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
This rustic Italian American classic delivers big flavor with almost no fuss. Sweet sausage simmers with peppers and onions until everything is soft, saucy, and fragrant.
Brown the sausages first for the best texture and color. Skipping it leaves them a little pale and bland, while a quick sear locks in flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 lb Italian sausage links
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 2 onions, sliced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Brown the sausages in a skillet, then slice into chunks.
- Layer peppers, onions, and garlic in the slow cooker.
- Add the sausage and pour the tomatoes over the top.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours until the peppers are soft.
- Serve on hoagie rolls or over polenta.
18.Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup
Thick, creamy, and topped with everything you love about a loaded baked potato, this soup is comfort in a bowl. The slow cooker softens the potatoes until they nearly melt into the broth.
Mash some of the potatoes right in the pot before adding the cream. It gives the soup a velvety body without needing a roux.
Ingredients
- 3 lb russet potatoes, diced
- 1 diced onion
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 slices bacon, cooked
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar
Instructions
- Add potatoes, onion, and broth to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 7 hours until the potatoes are very soft.
- Mash about a third of the potatoes against the side.
- Stir in the cream and most of the cheese until melted.
- Top each bowl with bacon, cheese, and green onion.
19.Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
These shredded chicken tacos are the kind of meal that practically makes itself. A handful of pantry seasonings and a little salsa turn plain chicken breasts into a flavorful taco filling.
Let the shredded chicken sit in its juices for a few minutes before serving. It soaks the seasoning back up and keeps every bite moist.
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken breasts
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 12 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Add chicken, salsa, seasoning, lime juice, and broth to the pot.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours until tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks right in the pot.
- Stir to coat and let it rest in the juices.
- Pile into warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
20.Slow Cooker Party Meatballs
Sweet and tangy cocktail meatballs are the appetizer that disappears first at every gathering. The slow cooker keeps them warm and saucy from the first guest to the last.
Use frozen, fully cooked meatballs to make this truly effortless. They warm through perfectly and soak up the glaze without any risk of falling apart.
Ingredients
- 2 lb frozen meatballs
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Whisk jelly, chili sauce, Worcestershire, and seasonings.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low 4 hours, stirring once.
- Switch to warm and serve with toothpicks.
21.Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
This diner classic of beef patties smothered in mushroom gravy is the kind of dinner that feels like a treat. The slow cooker keeps the patties tender and lets the gravy develop real depth.
Sear the patties before they go in so they hold their shape. Raw patties tend to crumble in the gravy, but a quick browning firms them right up.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups beef gravy
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Mix beef, breadcrumbs, and egg, then form into patties.
- Sear the patties in a hot skillet until browned.
- Place patties and mushrooms in the slow cooker.
- Pour the gravy and Worcestershire over the top.
- Cover and cook on low 5 hours and serve over mashed potatoes.
22.Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Glossy, sweet, and savory teriyaki chicken is a weeknight favorite for good reason. The slow cooker infuses the chicken with that classic soy ginger flavor while you go about your day.
Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry at the end. The cooking liquid starts out thin, but a quick simmer turns it into that signature sticky glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and vinegar.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and cover.
- Cook on low 5 hours until tender, then shred or slice.
- Thicken the sauce with cornstarch and serve over rice.
23.Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Tender chunks of beef in a rich, savory gravy make for the ultimate stick to your ribs dinner. The slow cooker does all the work of breaking down the beef until it is melt in your mouth soft.
Brown the beef tips first for a deeper, roastier gravy. The fond left in the pan can be deglazed and added for even more flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef stew meat
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a skillet, then add to the slow cooker.
- Add onion, garlic, soup, gravy mix, and broth.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover and cook on low 8 hours until the beef is tender.
- Serve over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
24.Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
This hearty Italian vegetable soup is loaded with beans, vegetables, and pasta in a tomato basil broth. It is a one pot way to get a whole garden into a single cozy bowl.
Add the pasta in the last thirty minutes so it stays al dente. Cooked too long, it turns soft and bloated and clouds the broth.
Ingredients
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup small pasta
Instructions
- Add tomatoes, beans, carrots, celery, and broth to the pot.
- Season with Italian herbs and a pinch of salt.
- Cover and cook on low 5 hours until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the pasta and cook 30 minutes more.
- Finish with a handful of spinach and grated parmesan.
25.Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Creamy, spicy, and impossible to stop eating, this dip is a game day legend. The slow cooker melts everything together and then keeps it warm and scoopable all afternoon.
Use rotisserie chicken to skip a step entirely. It shreds easily and saves you from cooking chicken just to chop it up.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 2 hours.
- Stir well until the cream cheese is fully melted.
- Cook 1 more hour until hot and bubbly.
- Switch to warm and serve with celery and chips.
26.Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
All the cozy flavor of stuffed cabbage rolls without any of the tedious rolling. This deconstructed soup simmers beef, rice, and cabbage in a savory tomato broth.
Stir in the rice partway through so it does not overcook. Added at the start, it can turn to mush, but folded in later it stays tender and distinct.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground beef
- 1/2 head cabbage, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 6 cups beef broth
- 3/4 cup white rice
Instructions
- Brown the beef and drain, then add to the slow cooker.
- Add cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth.
- Cover and cook on low 4 hours.
- Stir in the rice and cook 2 hours more until tender.
- Season to taste and serve with crusty bread.
27.Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Gravy
Boneless pork chops can dry out fast, but the slow cooker keeps them juicy in a blanket of creamy gravy. It is a comforting, old fashioned dinner that comes together with almost no effort.
Choose thicker cut chops, at least an inch, for the best results. Thin chops can overcook and turn stringy over a long, slow simmer.
Ingredients
- 4 thick cut pork chops
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 diced onion
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Place the pork chops and onion in the slow cooker.
- Whisk the soup, ranch seasoning, and broth together.
- Pour the mixture over the chops and add pepper.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours until tender.
- Spoon the gravy over the chops and serve with potatoes.
28.Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
This creamy, one pot chicken and rice is the very picture of comfort food. Everything cooks together so the rice drinks up all the savory flavor from the chicken.
Use long grain white rice and stir it in for the last hour or two only. Brown rice or an early start can leave you with a gummy, overcooked pot.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 cups long grain rice
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Add chicken, soup, broth, and garlic powder to the pot.
- Cover and cook on low 3 hours, then shred the chicken.
- Stir in the rice and the mixed vegetables.
- Cover and cook 1 to 2 hours more until the rice is tender.
- Fluff, season to taste, and serve warm.
29.Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Thick, smoky, and deeply satisfying, split pea soup is winter comfort at its finest. The slow cooker coaxes the dried peas into a creamy puree all on their own.
Tuck in a ham hock or leftover ham bone for that classic smoky depth. As it cooks, it releases gelatin and flavor that no broth can match.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried split peas, rinsed
- 1 ham hock
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 diced onion
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 8 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Add the rinsed peas, ham hock, and vegetables to the pot.
- Pour in the broth and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low 8 hours until the peas break down.
- Remove the hock, shred any meat, and return it to the pot.
- Stir until creamy and season with salt and pepper.
30.Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken
This rich, tangy ranch chicken is the kind of low effort dinner that earns repeat requests. Tender chicken breasts swim in a creamy ranch sauce that is perfect over rice or noodles.
Stir the cream cheese in only at the end and let it melt slowly. Adding it too early over a long cook can leave the sauce grainy instead of smooth.
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker and add the broth.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the top.
- Cover and cook on low 5 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth.
- Top with crumbled bacon and cheddar before serving.
Save this roundup or pin it to your dinner board so it is waiting the next time a busy week sneaks up on you. With thirty cozy options ready to go, you will always have an answer to the five o’clock question, and your slow cooker will do the heavy lifting.