Easy Crockpot Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights
A simple, forgiving, and flavorful slow cooker chicken dinner perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe uses basic ingredients and delivers tender, comforting results with minimal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup baby potatoes, halved
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas
- Optional: 1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs. Chop the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and halve the baby potatoes.
- Optional: Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs on each side for 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Add the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the slow cooker. Place the seared chicken thighs on top.
- In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and vegetables are soft.
- If using, stir in frozen peas and cream about 15 minutes before the end of cooking.
- Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- If sauce is too thin, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir into crockpot. Cook on high for another 10-15 minutes to thicken.
Notes
Searing chicken before slow cooking is optional but adds flavor. Use chicken breasts with caution as they cook faster and can dry out. Add delicate ingredients like peas and cream near the end to preserve color and texture. Avoid opening the lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature. To thicken sauce, use cornstarch slurry and cook additional 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 30
Keywords: crockpot dinner, slow cooker chicken, easy weeknight meal, busy night dinner, comfort food, chicken thighs, simple crockpot recipe