Personally, I get it. I know how it feels to come home after a long day and feel like you just cannot spend another hour in the kitchen. Honestly, I have been there more times than I can count. We all want a warm, home cooked meal that tastes like it took all day to make, but without the actual hard work. That is why I absolutely love my slow cooker. It is pretty much a magic pot that does the cooking while you go about your life.
Today, I want to share some of my favorite ways to make chicken and potatoes in the crockpot. These are simple, kid friendly, and really perfect for busy families. Plus, using a slow cooker is one of the best ways to keep the chicken juicy and the potatoes soft. If you are looking for easy dinners that your whole family will actually eat, you are in the right place.
Why You Will Love These Slow Cooker Meals
Personally, I think the best part about these recipes is how much time they save. You just put everything in the pot in the morning, and by dinner time, the house smells amazing. Here is why these recipes are a total win for your kitchen.
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Very Little Cleanup. You usually only have one pot to wash. That is it.
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Budget Friendly. Chicken and potatoes are some of the cheapest things you can buy at the store.
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Super Simple. You do not need to be a professional chef to make these.
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Comfort Food. There is something so cozy about a warm bowl of chicken and potatoes.
Believe it or not, you do not need fancy sauces or expensive spices to make a great meal. A few basic pantry items can go a long way.
Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
This is one of my go to easy dinners. It is kind of like a steakhouse meal but made with chicken. It is savory, buttery, and kids usually love it because it is not too spicy.
What You Need
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1.5 pounds of boneless chicken breasts or thighs
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1 pound of baby potatoes, cut in half
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4 tablespoons of butter
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3 cloves of garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon of salt
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Half a teaspoon of black pepper
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1 teaspoon of dried parsley
How to Make It
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Place your cut potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker.
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Lay the chicken on top of the potatoes.
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In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley.
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Pour that butter mixture over everything.
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Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
When it is finished, you can even sprinkle a little bit of cheese on top if you want. My kids think everything tastes better with cheese, so that is usually what I do.
Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes
If you like ranch dressing, you are going to love this recipe. It is creamy, tangy, and very filling. Plus, it only takes about five minutes to prep.
What You Need
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2 pounds of chicken thighs
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1 pound of potatoes, diced
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1 packet of ranch seasoning mix
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1 can of cream of chicken soup
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Half a cup of sour cream (add this at the end)
How to Make It
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Put your chicken and potatoes into the crockpot.
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Whisk the ranch seasoning and the soup together in a bowl.
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Pour it over the chicken.
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Cook on low for 6 hours.
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Right before you serve it, stir in the sour cream to make it extra creamy.
This one is great because the sauce acts like a gravy for the potatoes. You might want to serve it with some green beans or peas on the side.
Tips for the Best Results
I want to make sure your dinner turns out great, so here are a few things to keep in mind.
Don’t Peek
I know it is tempting to open the lid and see how things are going, but try to avoid it. Every time you lift the lid, heat escapes, and it adds about 15 to 20 minutes to the cooking time. Trust the process.
Use the Right Chicken
Chicken thighs are actually better for the crockpot than chicken breasts. Thighs have a bit more fat, which means they stay moist even if you cook them for a long time. Breasts can get a bit dry if they stay in the pot too long. If you do use breasts, make sure there is plenty of liquid in the pot.
Searing for Flavor
If you have an extra five minutes, you could try searing the chicken in a pan before putting it in the crockpot. This gives the chicken a nice brown crust and adds a lot of flavor. You do not have to do this, but it is a nice little trick if you have time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about making chicken and potatoes in the slow cooker?
Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? A Personally, I do not recommend it. It takes too long for frozen chicken to reach a safe temperature, which can be a bit risky. It is best to thaw your chicken in the fridge the night before.
Do I need to peel the potatoes? A You can if you want to, but you really do not have to. If you use baby potatoes or thin skinned potatoes, the skin gets very soft and tastes great. Plus, the skin has a lot of vitamins.
How do I know when the chicken is done? A The easiest way is to use a meat thermometer. You want the chicken to reach 165 degrees. If you do not have a thermometer, the chicken should easily pull apart with a fork.
Can I add vegetables like carrots? A Yes, definitely. Carrots work great with chicken and potatoes. Just cut them into chunks and put them in at the same time as the potatoes.
What if my sauce is too thin? A If your sauce looks a bit watery at the end, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the pot. Let it cook for another 15 minutes on high, and it will thicken right up.
Let’s Explore Some Variations
Once you get the hang of these easy dinners, you can start changing things up to keep it interesting. Here are a few ideas you might want to try.
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Italian Style. Use Italian seasoning instead of ranch or garlic. You can also add some canned tomatoes and top it with mozzarella cheese.
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BBQ Chicken. Pour your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken and potatoes. This is a big hit at summer parties.
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Lemon Herb. Use fresh lemon juice and rosemary for a light and fresh flavor. This is a bit more of a fancy feeling meal.
The thing is, you can really use whatever you have in your cabinet. As long as you have chicken, potatoes, and some kind of liquid or fat like butter or soup, you are going to have a good meal.
Summary
To sum it up, making crockpot chicken and potato recipes for easy dinners is one of the smartest things you can do for your weekly schedule. It reduces stress, saves money, and keeps everyone full. Long story short, your slow cooker is your best friend in the kitchen.
I hope you found these tips and recipes helpful. There you have it, a simple way to feed your family without the headache. Now, what do you think? Are you ready to dust off that crockpot and get started?