3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
Effortlessly Delicious Chicken Recipe
This slow cooker 3-ingredient chicken recipe is a delightful twist on my weeknight dinner routine. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, it’s become the perfect solution for busy evenings at our house.
Add a delicious side such as this creamy corn casserole (with or without green chiles) or a comforting mac and cheese casserole, and you’ll make the family very happy!
Although I really enjoy this lemon pepper chicken, I think this slow cooker 3-ingredient recipe is just as good. Try both and decide which you prefer!
Ingredients
Yes, this delicious recipe only requires 3 ingredients. Here is what you’ll need:
- Chicken thighs (Yes, we’re skipping the traditional chicken breasts this time!)
- Italian dressing mix (This little packet is a game changer!)
- Chicken broth or water
Directions
You can’t get much easier than this recipe!
First, grab your Crock Pot or whatever slow cooker you have. We’re not using an Instant Pot, but you can if you prefer. Grease the bottom of the pot … Or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. If you’re a fan of chicken breast, don’t worry, this recipe works wonders with breasts too!
Sprinkle the Italian dressing mix evenly over the chicken. This is where the magic happens! Pour the cup of broth or water into the cooker, leaving the top exposed. This keeps our chicken moist and tender but allows the top to get crispy.
Set your cooker on low and let it do its thing for about 6 hours. If you’re in a bit of a rush, high for 3 hours works too.
Once cooked, you can serve this delightful chicken over rice, with mashed potatoes, or even shred it for a chicken tortilla soup!
What Makes This Simple Chicken Recipe so Good
The main reason we love this recipe is the versatility of the chicken, from what to serve with it to the variety of seasonings you can add.
Tips and Twists for Variation
Do you love this recipe but want something a little different? Here are some tips to get the variety you crave:
- Buffalo Style: Feeling adventurous? Add some hot sauce for a pot buffalo chicken twist. If you enjoy buffalo wings, you’ll love this one.
- Honey Garlic Version: Mix in some honey and garlic for a slow cooker honey garlic chicken variation.
- Add to Soup: Shred the cooked chicken and add it to your favorite chicken soup recipe for an extra boost of flavor.
What to Serve with 3-Ingredient Chicken
I always recomment serving a main dish with sides you like. This tender chicken is perfect with a side of creamy cheesy tater tot casserole. It also goes well with easy canned green beans dressed up with flavor.
Easy Weeknight Dinner
This is the kind of easy recipe that earns a regular spot in the dinner rotation. It’s simple, dependable, and a great way to get a flavorful meal on the table with very little effort.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
You don't have to sacrifice flavor when you make this easy 3-ingredient slow cooker chicken.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 package Italian dressing mix
- 1 cup of chicken broth or water
Instructions
- Grease or spray the bottom of your slow cooker with butter or your favorite nonstick spray.
- Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of the pot.
- Sprinkle one packet of Italian dressing mix over the chicken.
- Pour the liquid (either chicken broth or water) into the pot.
- Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours.
- Serve hot with your favorite side dishes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 291Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 168mgSodium 496mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 31g
The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.
I don’t have an air fryer but my oven has a convection oven. Any suggestions on how to cook this recipe in the oven or convection oven? Thanks
Perhaps you can simply put it in a covered casserole dish. Just don’t cover the chicken with liquid if you want the skin to be crispy. I would cook it on 350 degrees F for about an hour to an hour and a half. Check the temperature of the thickest part of the chicken and make sure it’s 165 degrees F.
Sounds yummy and easy. My question is are these bone in thighs?
Hi Janet. Yes, these are bone-in thighs. You can use boneless if you want. However, I think that the chicken with bones and skin have more flavor.
There’s no way you can cook this with a cup of broth in a crock pot and have a crispy skin. I’m not see it. The chicken would steam and just fall off the bone when you pick it up. Please explain
Hi Kitchenkats. I understand your skepticism, but it does work. I’ve made this multiple times, and the skin always turns out crispy from the heat. The key is to add just enough broth to provide liquid but not so much that it covers the chicken. That said, I very carefully lift the chicken out of the pot with tongs, because as you mentioned, the meat is very tender when it’s done.
@southernhomeexpress, I’m glad you mentioned not covering the chicken with the liquid. That obviously makes more sense. I’ll definitely be trying this!
Could I use boneless breast. My husband won’t eat dark meat
Hi Pam. You can, but it won’t taste as good. If you do use chicken breast, keep the skin on it, at least until it’s done. One of the things that most people like about this recipe is the crispy skin and moist, tender chicken inside.
Hi! Can this recipe be doubled? Thanks.
Hi Susan! Yes, you can double this recipe. Just make sure that the tops of the chicken are above the liquid so they’ll brown while cooking.
can I use something other than Italian dressing mix?
Hi Ruben. Yes, you can use any seasoning blend that you like. Another one that we enjoy is ranch seasoning mix.