Beat the Takeout Habit: Effortless Slow Cooker Dinners That Will Have You Rushing Home — 5 Essential Rules of Cooking – Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less, Photo by esmmweighless.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

After a busy day, cooking dinner is the last thing many people want to do. It feels like the kitchen has suddenly been assigned another tedious task. You might stare blankly at the ingredients in your cupboards or simply pick up your phone to order takeout. The allure of not having to wash dishes is almost irresistible, especially when you’re already exhausted. But this convenient option comes at a significant cost.As you watch your expenses pile up, you might suddenly realize, “Oh my gosh, how did we spend so much money?”

Saving money motivates many people. Maybe it’s for something fun, like a trip. People often start cooking at home again and make it a priority. The first week might feel very successful, and that sense of accomplishment comes from inner motivation.

There’s a forgotten hero sitting in the back of your kitchen cabinet—the slow cooker. This traditional appliance, typically used for cooking large quantities of food like pulled pork, allows you to cook dinner while you work. Let’s take a look at these amazing chicken recipes made in a slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Sandwiches are an excellent choice for summer outdoor dinners. The magic of the slow cooker comes into play here as well. It cooks the chicken on low heat, making it exceptionally tender and perfect for shredding and using as sandwich filling.

The real beauty lies in the fact that once you set it, you can forget about it. No need to stand over a hot stove or grill. Simply add the ingredients in the morning. The chicken will cook slowly throughout the day, absorbing all the flavors and becoming exceptionally tender. When you pull it apart, it comes apart effortlessly, and all you need to do when you get home is assemble the sandwiches, perhaps with a simple side dish.

Enjoy a relaxed mealtime without the hassle of rushing to prepare Sunday dinner. Quick meal preparation is exactly what you need.

A recipe that those who enjoy a drink in the evening will love—Crockpot Root Beer BBQ Chicken. This recipe offers a unique flavor combination, blending the sweetness of root beer with the tangy, spicy BBQ sauce. The slow-cooking method ensures tender, juicy chicken thighs. The slow-cooking principle ensures that the chicken thighs remain moist and tender. They benefit greatly from the moist, low-temperature environment of the slow cooker.

This dish is both sweet and savory, and its highlight lies in its versatility. It pairs perfectly with bread for a classic barbecue chicken experience. Alternatively, serve it with rice for a different twist. This adaptability allows you to change the side dishes to vary your weekly meals, offering a flexible option for a quick and satisfying dinner after a long day.

Slow cookers don’t always have to be juicy. Try Crockpot BBQ Chicken. This simple and effective recipe makes shredded barbecue chicken that’s perfect with a big salad.

By slow-cooking on low heat for several hours, the chicken’s connective tissues break down, resulting in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These BBQ chicken strips are incredibly versatile. They can be used in tacos, quesadillas, or even as a patty for small burgers. Pair them with your favorite sides for a quick and easy meal. With protein-packed ingredients on hand, assembling a meal becomes a breeze. Especially for a healthy dinner like BBQ chicken salad, it’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day at work.

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Slow cookers are great for cooking certain cuts of meat until they easily pull apart (i.e. chicken thighs). Chipotle in adobo adds a bold layer of smoke and heat to many Mexican dishes, so we’re adding some to this barbecue sauce to dial up the flavor.

Print Recipe

Cook Time 35

Total Time 6 35

Course lunch/dinner

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 people

Calories 4036.2 kcal

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker 6 to 8-quart capacity
1 Small Saucepan
1 Large Nonstick Skillet
1 Large Bowl
1 Baking Sheet

Ingredients

Main

6 large skinless boneless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce chopped, plus 3 tablespoons sauce from the can
1 cup canned crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1/2 medium onion grated
2/3 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups shredded red cabbage
2 radishes thinly sliced
3 scallions thinly sliced
1 avocado
4 sesame hamburger buns
8 thin slices Monterey Jack cheese about 4 ounces

Instructions

Season the chicken with salt and the cumin; transfer to a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Add the chipotle and adobo sauce, tomatoes and onion; toss to coat. Cover and cook on low, 6 hours.
Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. Transfer the cooking liquid to a fat separator. Pour the liquid into a small saucepan, leaving any fat in the cup. (Alternatively, skim off the fat from the cooking liquid with a spoon.) Add the ketchup, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar and the Worcestershire sauce to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and gently simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and the remaining 2 tablespoons cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon brown sugar in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, radishes, scallions and ½ teaspoon salt; toss. Set aside.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally and pulling it apart with tongs or a fork, until browned and crisp in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in all but ½ cup of the sauce; season with salt.
Preheat the broiler. Slice the avocado. Put the roll bottoms on a baking sheet; top with the chicken and cheese. Broil until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Top with the slaw, avocado and roll tops. Serve with the remaining sauce.

Notes

Using chicken thighs is key here as they stay moist and become incredibly tender during the long, slow cook, perfect for pulling. Don't skip the step of crisping the pulled chicken in the skillet; this adds crucial texture contrast to the saucy, tender meat. A fat separator makes defatting the cooking liquid easy, but you can simply skim the fat carefully with a spoon. Adjust the amount of chipotle based on your preferred heat level. Ensure your broiler is fully preheated for quick cheese melting without burning the buns.

Did you ever think a slow cooker could make burgers? Check out these Slow Cooker BBQ Buffalo Chicken Sliders. This recipe perfectly blends barbecue flavors with the spicy kick of buffalo sauce. As always, start by using the slow cooker to create the perfect base—the chicken—then assemble these delicious mini burgers.

No doubt about it. The small size of the burgers makes them both fun and easy to eat. Whether it’s a casual Sunday dinner or game-day snacks, knowing you’ve got this delicious filling ready is a game-changer. Coming home in the evening, whipping up a batch of hot, satisfying little burgers is quick and easy.

If you enjoy sweet and savory barbecue flavors, consider Crockpot Honey BBQ Pulled Chicken. This recipe cleverly balances sweet and salty flavors, primarily by adding honey to the barbecue sauce.

Cook chicken pieces (such as chicken thighs or chicken breasts) in the honey barbecue sauce to ensure that the meat is exceptionally tender and flavorful.It’s perfect for easily pulling into shredded meat. That’s why pulled chicken is a classic choice. Its versatility is unmatched. This honey barbecue version clearly shows why you shouldn’t miss out. It can be easily made into sandwich or wrap fillings, or as a topping for roasted potatoes, perfect for quick meals on the go.

Crockpot Barbecue Chicken Legs — Roast’ chicken, British sous vide recipe, Photo by cookipedia.co.uk, is licensed under CC BY 4.0

You will save cash and eat food that tastes really good. You also get your evenings back for yourself and your family. What thing could be better than that feeling, you tell me.