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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Cheap Crockpot Dinners We Love Right Now

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 29, 2025, updated July 14, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Crockpot dinners are a lifesaver for busy weeknights, offering a simple way to prepare hearty meals with minimal effort. With just a few ingredients and some time, you can create satisfying dishes that the whole family will enjoy. Here are 18 affordable crockpot recipes that are perfect for any occasion.

    Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Fire-roasted green chilies, jalapenos, and ranch dressing come together with boneless skinless chicken breasts to create a comforting Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken. This dish takes a familiar appetizer and turns it into a hearty meal that everyone in the family will love. It's a great way to enjoy bold flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Boursin Cheese Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Boursin Cheese Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Boursin Cheese Chicken Pasta is a tasty meal that comes together with just a handful of ingredients. This dish features chicken in a rich, creamy herb sauce that simmers beautifully in the slow cooker. It's a comforting option that can easily fit into your weeknight routine.

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    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken is bound to become a family favorite. It combines chicken, beans, corn, Rotel, and a spicy ranch mix for a flavorful meal. With its simple prep and easy cooking, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekends.

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    Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

    Slow Cooker Hot Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Hot Chicken is a simple way to enjoy flavorful chicken with a kick. With just a few seasonings and some Frank’s hot sauce, you can create a delicious meal without much effort. This dish is great for weeknights when you want something spicy and satisfying.

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    Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken and Rice Casserole combines the delicious taste of green chile enchiladas with tender rice, creating a comforting meal that's easy to prepare. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

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    Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

    Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is a comforting dish packed with shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and brown rice, all simmered in a tasty broth with hints of thyme. It's a simple meal that you can prepare without much effort, allowing you to focus on other things while it cooks. Plus, it's naturally gluten-free and you can also make it in a slow cooker if you prefer.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is a comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich gravy. The creamy sauce pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, bread, rice, or noodles. This meal is simple to prepare and offers the warmth of a home-cooked dinner with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    This chili is packed with rich tomatoes and spices, creating a warm and comforting dish. With ground beef and crispy bacon, it brings a satisfying flavor that everyone will enjoy. Topped with your favorite extras, this chili is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

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    Jackfruit “Pulled Pork” Sandwiches

    Jackfruit “Pulled Pork” Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Jackfruit simmered in barbecue sauce, water, oil, and spices results in tasty sandwiches that everyone will love. These sandwiches capture the essence of classic pulled pork but are entirely plant-based. They provide a filling meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. This dish is an excellent choice for anyone wanting a hearty, vegan-friendly option. It's a great way to add something unique to your dinner routine.

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    Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup

    Tuscan white bean soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup combines white beans, shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and a mix of vegetables for a satisfying meal that everyone will love. The preparation is simple, making it a breeze to whip up on a busy weeknight. It's a comforting dish that warms you up and fills you up, perfect for any dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Fit As a Mama Bear.

    This creamy chicken dish cooked in a slow cooker is sure to become a family favorite. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This chili is made in the slow cooker with beans, corn, peppers, and masa harina, bringing a taste of the Southwest to your table. It's a healthy option that’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Just set it up and let it simmer, and you'll have a warm, satisfying meal ready when you are.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches

    Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches are simple to prepare with a slow cooker. The chicken cooks slowly, becoming tender and flavorful, perfect for piling onto a sandwich. This dish is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata

    Chicken piccata.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata combines lemon flavors with chicken broth, capers, and dijon mustard for a chicken dish you and your whole family will love. With a few quick-prep steps and a few hours of cooking time, this chicken piccata will be ready for your dinner table the same day.

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    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    This hearty stew combines tender pork cubes with spicy Hatch green chiles, creating a comforting dish that's full of flavor. It's perfect for serving over rice, polenta, or in tortillas, making it a versatile option for dinner. With its easy slow-cooking method, this meal is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    Chicken thighs can be ready in just 10 minutes of prep and then cooked slowly until they're nice and tender. They're covered in a thick honey garlic sauce that adds a lot of flavor. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something easy and satisfying for dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Rosemary Ranch Chicken and Noodles

    Slow Cooker Rosemary Ranch Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This dish is a great one-pot meal that combines tender chicken with a delicious rosemary ranch sauce. It all cooks together with fresh pasta, making it a simple and satisfying option for a weeknight dinner. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a hearty meal that everyone will love.

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    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a simple and satisfying dinner option. Ground beef and vegetables cook together in the slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal effort. This dish is great for busy days when you want something hearty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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