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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Set It and Forget It: 23 Slow Cooker Dinners That Basically Cook Themselves

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 15, 2025, updated June 25, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Slow cookers are a lifesaver for busy weeknights, allowing you to prepare delicious meals with minimal effort. With just a few ingredients and some prep time, you can set your slow cooker and let it do the work while you go about your day. Here are 23 easy slow cooker dinners that will fill your home with comforting aromas and leave you with a satisfying meal at the end of the day.

    Chicken & Dumplings

    Chicken and dumplings.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    This is a really simple take on a classic comfort food that cooks all day in the slow cooker. Just toss everything in and let it do its thing. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow cooker.

    Steak bites, potatoes, and corn all cook together in the slow cooker with a tasty garlic butter sauce. This dish is simple and perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just toss everything in, let it cook, and enjoy a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Curried Chicken Noodle Soup gives a fresh take on the traditional recipe. The addition of curry powder and turmeric adds warmth and richness, creating a comforting and tasty dish. It's a great choice for chilly days when you want something hearty.

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    Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Chicken

    Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This dish combines tender chicken and fresh broccoli, all smothered in a cheesy sauce, cooked right in the slow cooker. It's a simple and satisfying meal that pairs perfectly with rice, making it a great option for dinner. Just toss everything in and let the slow cooker do the work.

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    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Dinner can be simple with this honey mustard chicken in the slow cooker. The combination of mustard, honey, and garlic creates a delicious flavor, and you won’t have to spend much time preparing or cleaning up.

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    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This slow cooker meal is perfect for busy weeknights and special gatherings alike. It features tender chicken cooked in a flavorful garlic cream sauce that everyone will enjoy. Serve it over pasta or mashed potatoes for a satisfying dinner.

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    Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu

    Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken, flavorful ham, and gooey Swiss cheese simmered together in a rich creamy sauce. Topped with buttery stuffing, it creates a cozy and filling meal that's perfect for any night. It's an easy option that requires minimal effort, allowing you to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

    Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Peasant's Daughter.

    Creamy tomato basil chicken is full of flavor and made with easy-to-find ingredients. It cooks slowly, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully. This dish is perfect for a comforting meal without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Merlot

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

    Crockpot Chicken Merlot is a great choice for a cozy dinner that feels fancy but is super easy to prepare. The chicken cooks slowly in a delicious mix of red wine, tomatoes, herbs, and veggies, resulting in a flavorful meal without needing to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie {with Biscuits}.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    A hearty meal that feels like a warm hug is now simpler to prepare with this slow cooker chicken pot pie recipe. Tender chicken and fresh vegetables are combined with two kinds of creamy soup, all topped with fluffy homemade biscuits. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken is a dish that the whole family will love. It combines chicken, beans, corn, Rotel, and a spicy ranch mix for a flavorful meal. With its simple prep and easy cooking, this is a great option for busy weeknights or weekends.

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    The Best Vegetarian Chili

    Vegetarian chili and a wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This vegetarian chili is packed with flavor and is super easy to make. You can prepare it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, depending on what you prefer. With its rich taste, you won't even notice the absence of meat.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This chicken gnocchi soup is a comforting dish inspired by the classic Olive Garden recipe, filled with rich herbal flavors and tender chicken. It’s simple to prepare in the slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Making this at home is a great way to bring the restaurant experience to your table, and it’s sure to be a hit with your family.

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    Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    This Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken is packed with flavorful spices and a touch of citrus that really brings it to life. It's an easy and straightforward recipe that you can prepare in your crockpot. Just toss everything in, let it cook, and enjoy a delicious meal without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Thirty Something Supermom.

    This recipe is a simple way to prepare chicken thighs that everyone in the family will enjoy. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Cowboy Stew

    Cowboy Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Stew is a great choice when you need to feed a crowd without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish combines ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and plenty of vegetables, creating a filling meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for those busy days when you want something hearty and satisfying.

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    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This creamy Tortellini Soup is a simple slow cooker dish packed with fresh green vegetables. With just a few easy ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a comforting meal ready to enjoy. It's perfect for those busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is an easy way to enjoy a classic Japanese dish at home. With just a few ingredients like chicken breasts, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, you can create a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    Just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do its thing. In about five hours, you'll have a hearty and flavorful beef stew waiting for you. This is a great option for busy nights when you want a warm meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Carne Guisada

    Crock Pot Carne Guisada (Mexican Beef Stew).
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    Level up your beef stew game with this delicious recipe! I guarantee you will be amazed with the incredible flavor and melt-in-the-mouth tender beef – this one’s a keeper.

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    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a simple and delicious dish that combines chicken breasts, two kinds of cheese, buffalo sauce, and a few other ingredients. This creamy pasta is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It's a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken

    Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Nibble and Dime.

    This dish features tender and tasty shredded chicken that's seasoned with green chiles, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. It's a simple option for meal prep, making it easy to have lunches ready to go. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

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    Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow cooker sweet chili chicken is incredibly tender and packed with flavor from the sweet chili sauce and cream cheese. It pairs well with rice and a green vegetable, making it a satisfying meal. This dish is simple to prepare and cooks on its own, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

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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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