20+ Budget-Friendly Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

Feeding your family doesn’t have to break the bank, especially when you can set it and forget it! These budget-friendly crockpot chicken recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or anyone trying to stretch their grocery dollars without sacrificing flavor.

Whether you're craving Italian comfort food, sweet BBQ goodness, or creamy, cheesy favorites, this list has something for everyone. Let your slow cooker do the work while you save time, money, and stress.

🍝 Italian-Inspired Crockpot Chicken Recipes

1. Chicken Cacciatore

2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (24 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
2–3 cups chopped veggies (onions, zucchini, mushrooms)

Instructions:
Add chicken and sauce to crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours. Add chopped vegetables and cook for 30 more minutes.

Serve with pasta or rice.

2. Italian Chicken with Potatoes and Green Beans

2–3 chicken breasts
1 (16 oz) bottle Italian dressing
2 cups green beans
2 cups baby red potatoes, halved
Instructions: Add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–6 hours.
Serve with a side of garlic bread or salad.

3. Chicken Parm Tortellini

2–3 chicken breasts
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup pasta sauce
10 oz cheese tortellini
1 cup shredded mozzarella
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp butter + ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions:
Add chicken, broth, pasta sauce, salt, and pepper to crockpot. Cook on low 6 hours. Remove chicken, shred, and return with tortellini. Cook 20 minutes. Melt butter, stir in breadcrumbs, sprinkle over top with cheese, and cook another 10 minutes.
Serve with steamed broccoli or Caesar salad.

🧀 Creamy, Cheesy, Comfort Food Crockpot Chicken

4. Crack Ranch Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
8 oz cream cheese
½ cup ranch dressing
Instructions: Add everything to crockpot. Cook on low 4–6 hours. Shred before serving.

Serve with slider buns, rice, or over baked potatoes.

5. Cheesy Salsa Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 jar salsa
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
2 cups cooked white rice

Instructions: Add salsa and chicken to crockpot. Cook on low 6 hours. Stir in cooked rice and cheese before serving.

6. Queso Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 jar queso cheese
1 jar salsa
1 tbsp garlic powder
Instructions: Cook chicken in crockpot on low 6 hours. Drain excess liquid. Add queso, salsa, and garlic powder. Stir and cook another 30 minutes.

Serve with tortilla chips or over rice.

7. Cream Cheese Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ cup chicken broth
2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese
1 tbsp garlic powder
Instructions: Mix soup, broth, and garlic powder. Pour over chicken in crockpot. Cook on low 6 hours. Remove chicken, whisk in cream cheese until smooth, then return chicken and cook another 15 minutes.

Serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.

🍗 BBQ & Sweet-Glazed Crockpot Chicken Recipes

8. BBQ Ranch Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1 dry ranch dressing packet
Instructions: Add all ingredients to crockpot.
Cook on low 6 hours.
Serve with rolls or cornbread.

9. Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup Italian dressing
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions: Combine ingredients in crockpot.
Cook on low 6 hours.
Serve with coleslaw or over baked potatoes.

10. Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
6–8 slices bacon
½ cup brown sugar
Instructions: Wrap each chicken breast with bacon. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Cook on low 6 hours.

Serve with mac and cheese or roasted veggies.

11. Honey Mustard BBQ Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
¾ cup honey BBQ sauce
¼ cup yellow or Dijon mustard (budget: use store-brand)

Instructions: Add everything to slow cooker.
Cook on low 4–6 hours.

12. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

2–3 chicken breasts
1 cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
¾ cup Italian dressing
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions: Add everything to crockpot. Cook on low 4–6 hours. Shred and serve on sandwich buns.

🥘 Asian-Inspired & Sweet Chicken Dishes

13. Honey Sesame Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
16 oz Asian toasted sesame dressing
1½ cups honey
Instructions: Mix honey and dressing. Pour over chicken. Cook on low 4–6 hours.

Serve with jasmine rice or steamed broccoli.

14. Orange Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
¾ cup BBQ sauce
¾ cup orange marmalade
2 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions: Combine and pour over chicken in crockpot. Cook on low 4–6 hours.

Serve with rice or stir-fry veggies.

15. Sweet Chili Pineapple Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 bottle sweet chili sauce
1 can pineapple chunks (with juice)
2 cups chopped peppers
2 cups broccoli
2 cups peas (optional)
Instructions: Add chicken, chili sauce, and pineapple (with juice). Cook on low 4–6 hours. Shred chicken, add veggies 30 minutes before serving.

Serve with rice or noodles.

🌿 Ranch + Seasoned Chicken Crockpot Recipes

16. Ranch Chicken with Potatoes & Carrots

2–3 chicken breasts
½ cup milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 ranch seasoning packet
2 cups baby carrots
2 cups baby potatoes
Instructions: Mix milk, soup, and ranch mix. Pour over chicken and veggies in crockpot. Cook on low 6 hours.

17. Parmesan Ranch Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
2 tbsp ranch mix
⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions: Mix ranch and Parmesan. Coat chicken in mix, cook on low 6 hours.

18. Taco Ranch Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 dry taco mix
1 dry ranch packet

Instructions: Season chicken with both packets.
Cook on low 4–6 hours.

Serve with tortillas or taco bowls.

🧄 Unique & Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Chicken Dishes

19. Garlic Parmesan Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 cup mayo
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup melted butter
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions: Cook chicken in crockpot for 6 hours on low. Mix remaining ingredients, pour over chicken, cook 30 more minutes.

20. French Onion Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 (10.5 oz) can French onion soup
½ cup sour cream
Instructions: Cook chicken on low 6 hours. Drain. Mix soup and sour cream, pour over chicken, cook another 20 minutes on high.
Serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

21. Apricot Chicken

2–3 chicken breasts
1 cup apricot preserves
¼ cup French dressing
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp garlic powder
Instructions: Mix sauce ingredients. Pour over chicken in crockpot. Cook on low 4–6 hours.
Serve with rice or couscous.

🥣 Chicken & Rice or Pasta-Based Crockpot Recipes

22. Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

2–3 chicken breasts
2 jars Alfredo sauce
1 (10 oz) package tortellini
Instructions: Add everything to slow cooker.
Cook on low 4–6 hours.

Serve with steamed broccoli or garlic bread.

23. Ranch Chicken Pasta

2–3 chicken breasts
1 cup salsa
1 dry ranch packet
½ cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
3 cups cooked rotini pasta
Instructions: Place chicken, soup, and salsa in crockpot. Cook on low 6 hours. Remove chicken. Stir in ranch and sour cream, add chicken and pasta back, stir and serve.

24. Cheesy Chicken & Corn Rice

2–3 chicken breasts
1 can corn (drained)
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz Zatarain’s rice mix
1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions: Cook chicken and soup in crockpot for 6 hours. Add cooked rice and corn. Top with cheese and heat 10 more minutes.

25. Chicken and Stuffing

2–3 chicken breasts
1 cup ranch dressing
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ cup water
1 bag stuffing mix
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
Instructions: Mix soup, ranch, and water. Place chicken, veggies, and stuffing in crockpot. Pour sauce on top. Cook on low 6 hours.

🥔 Creative Crockpot Chicken Twists

26. BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes

2–3 chicken breasts
1 cup BBQ sauce
4 baked potatoes
Instructions: Cook chicken and BBQ sauce on low 6 hours. Shred and serve over baked potatoes.

27. BBQ Chicken Cornbread Casserole

2–3 chicken breasts
1 chopped onion
1 cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
1 box Jiffy mix
Instructions: Cook chicken, onion, and BBQ in crockpot for 6 hours. Prepare cornbread, crumble, and mix into crockpot with cheese.

Which recipe are you trying first?

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Written by Diana Chastain from Nanny to Mommy

Nanny to Mommy