Lazy Day Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe for Flavor Lovers

Tender, juicy chicken meets effortless cooking in this mouthwatering slow cooker chicken recipe that promises to revolutionize dinnertime.

Busy home cooks will adore how simple ingredients blend into a delectable meal with minimal effort.

Weeknight meals just got a serious upgrade with this foolproof method.

The aroma will fill your kitchen, making everyone eager to gather around the table.

Minimal prep means maximum flavor, creating a dish that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Simple, comforting, and packed with robust seasonings, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results without the hassle.

Let’s find out a meal that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary feast everyone will love.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 7

Slow Cooker Chicken Key Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs: Tender, flavorful meat that stays juicy during slow cooking, choose boneless and skinless for easier preparation.

• Yellow Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Create a flavor-packed foundation with sweet, sharp, and warm notes that build depth in the dish.

• Ground Coriander, Garam Masala, Cumin, Turmeric: Authentic Indian spice mix that delivers complex, warm, and earthy flavors, select fresh and fragrant spices for maximum taste.

• Tomato Paste, Diced Tomatoes: Provide rich, tangy base with concentrated tomato flavor, choose high-quality canned tomatoes for best results.
• Whole-Milk Plain Yogurt, Heavy Cream, Coconut Milk: Add creamy richness and balance spices, ensure yogurt is not Greek-style for proper consistency.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor, adjust to taste for perfect seasoning.

• Fresh Cilantro: Adds bright, fresh herb notes and visual appeal.
• Cooked Rice or Naan: Ideal accompaniments to soak up the delicious sauce.

Helpful Tools for Slow Cooker Chicken

• 4-quart or larger slow cooker: Essential for cooking the chicken and sauce.
• Large skillet or frying pan: Perfect for sautéing onions and building flavor.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and cilantro.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add salt and spices.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.

Directions to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tender

• Creamy Chicken Base

Nestle chicken into the slow cooker with a generous dollop of yogurt, creating a rich foundation for your meal.

• Aromatic Spice Blend

Sauté onions until they’re golden and translucent, then awaken a symphony of spices – ginger, coriander, garam masala, cumin, and turmeric. Add tomato paste and crushed tomatoes to build layers of deep, complex flavor.

• Slow Transformation

Let the slow cooker work its magic, gently melding spices and chicken for several hours. Finish with a splash of cream or coconut milk, creating a luscious sauce that coats every morsel.

• Serving Suggestion

Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the dish and serve alongside fluffy rice or warm naan bread, transforming a simple meal into a culinary adventure.

Tips to Add Flavor to Slow Cooker Chicken

• Adjust the amount of garam masala and other spices to match your personal heat preference. Start with less and gradually increase for a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
• Experiment with different proteins like turkey, lamb, or even tofu for a unique twist on this classic slow cooker dish. Each protein will bring its own delightful character to the meal.
• Replace cream with full-fat coconut milk for a luscious, dairy-free version that's equally creamy and delicious. This substitution works wonderfully for those with lactose sensitivities.
• Toss in diced bell peppers, cauliflower, or spinach during the last hour of cooking to add extra nutrition and texture. These vegetables blend seamlessly with the rich, aromatic sauce.
• Prepare the entire dish the night before, refrigerate, and start the slow cooker in the morning for a stress-free, ready-to-eat dinner that'll impress everyone at the table.

Best Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken

• Cozy Comfort Plate: Serve this tender chicken over fluffy basmati rice, letting the rich sauce soak into each grain for maximum flavor explosion.
• Naan Bread Dipping Delight: Grab warm, soft naan bread to scoop up the creamy sauce, transforming each bite into a luxurious experience that connects you with traditional Indian cuisine.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of bright lemon juice on top to add a zesty, fresh contrast to the deep, warm spices of the dish, creating a balanced and vibrant meal.
• Yogurt Swirl Topping: Add a dollop of cool, tangy yogurt on the side, which cuts through the rich sauce and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty chicken.

How to Store and Enjoy Leftover Slow Cooker Chicken

• Fridge Fresh Zone: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Cool completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer Hero Strategy: Package meal in freezer-safe containers, separating sauce from rice. Can freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Double the recipe and create multiple meals. Portion into individual servings for quick weeknight dinners or lunch meal prep.
• Reheat with Care: Warm slowly in microwave or stovetop, adding splash of water or extra cream to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce consistency.

Tender Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty slow cooker chicken stew celebrates comfort with robust flavors from tender chicken and classic vegetables. Warm, satisfying ingredients meld together, offering you a nourishing meal perfect for chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can diced tomatoes, drained
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole-milk plain yogurt (not Greek)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream or coconut milk
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Cooked rice or naan for serving

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Nestle skinless chicken pieces in a 4-quart slow cooker, thoroughly coating with plain yogurt and salt to ensure even flavor distribution.
2. Aromatics Development: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, gently caramelizing onions until they transform into a soft, translucent base. Introduce minced garlic, grated ginger, ground coriander, garam masala, ground cumin, and turmeric, toasting spices to unlock their intense, fragrant essence.
3. Tomato Integration: Incorporate tomato paste, deepening its color and complexity. Fold in diced tomatoes and additional salt, allowing the mixture to meld and simmer, creating a robust foundational sauce.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Transfer spiced tomato mixture into the slow cooker, ensuring thorough coating of chicken. Select cooking mode – HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours – enabling chicken to become supremely tender and absorb intricate spice profiles.
5. Finishing Touches: Swirl heavy cream or coconut milk into the dish, creating a velvety, luxurious sauce. For enhanced thickness, allow uncovered simmering on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes. Elevate presentation by scattering freshly chopped cilantro and serving alongside steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Notes

Optimize Slow Cooker Performance: Choose a 4-quart or larger slow cooker to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven heat distribution.

Spice Bloom Technique: Sauté spices in oil before adding to the dish to release their essential oils, maximizing flavor intensity and creating a more complex taste profile.

Yogurt Coating Trick: Thoroughly coat chicken in yogurt to tenderize the meat and create a silky, moist texture that prevents dryness during long cooking periods.

Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust sauce thickness by simmering uncovered or adding extra cream/coconut milk, allowing you to personalize the final dish’s texture and richness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 650mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 22g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 37g
• Cholesterol: 160mg