Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken

If you’re like me, the fall season means all the cozy fall recipes like my Pumpkin Alfredo with Hot Honey, Pesto Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta, Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Alfredo, and my Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole.

And don’t forget to end it with something cozy and sweet like my Viral Honey Bun Cake, Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls, or Cheesecake-Stuffed Hawaiian Roll French Toast.

When you’re in the mood for some serious soul food, this slow-cooker smothered chicken is exactly what you need. Inspired by my classic Smothered Chicken and Gravy, this dish packs all the rich, savory goodness of the original—but with the added ease of being made from start to finish in your trusty slow cooker with just 15 minutes of prep time.

What makes this winner, winner, chicken dinner truly shine is the fall-apart tenderness of the meat. Slow cooking doesn’t just make the preparation easy as pie. It also infuses the chicken with deeply savory flavors and tenderizes it so much that it nearly melts in your mouth. Then, there’s that velvety, creamy gravy. Phew…if that’s not comfort food, I don’t know what it is!

This Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken is:

The perfect weeknight meal, especially as the days get a little colder and we’re all craving something cozy.

• Rich, comforting flavors. This smothered chicken is a true celebration of comfort food, with a creamy, savory gravy, aromatic veggies, and a subtle hint of spice from the red pepper flakes. Each bite is a warm embrace, making it impossible to resist.
• Melt-in-your-mouth tender. Imagine biting into chicken so tender it practically falls apart at the touch of your fork. That’s what you get here! Slow cooking allows the meat to soak up every ounce of flavor while breaking it down to achieve that perfect, fall-off-the-bone texture.
• A lazy cook’s dream. All you need is ~15 minutes of prep time before you load up the slow cooker, press a few buttons, and walk away. Four hours later, your meal is ready, and you barely lifted a finger!

Key Ingredients

Buckle up and head to the store! Here’s a shopping list for you. Have a look at the recipe card below for precise measurements.

• Chicken seasonings – I used a blend of chili powder, lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes. If you’re sensitive to spice, feel free to use fewer (or no) red pepper flakes.
• Olive oil – Or avocado oil if you prefer.
• Chicken – I went with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Boneless skinless thighs or breast tenders would work, too, though.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted. If you opt for salted butter, you may want to use a wee less salt later on.
• Aromatic veggies – Celery (diced), yellow onion (thinly sliced), and garlic cloves (minced).
• Flour – All-purpose flour is best. Gluten-free? Go ahead and use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour.
• Chicken stock – Veggie stock will also work. So will water in a pinch. If you use water, you may want to use more chicken bouillon powder and/or more seasoning.
• Chicken bouillon powder – You could also use Better Than Bouillon. If you do, add it in with the chicken stock rather than the flour. This will allow it to incorporate into the cooking liquid more easily.
• Salt and pepper – To taste.

How to Make Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken

Here’s a basic overview of how to make smothered chicken. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

1. Make the chicken seasoning. Whisk together the chili powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes.
2. Season the chicken. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season liberally.

4. Sauté. Melt the butter in the slow cooker (or skillet). Add the aromatic veggies and sauté for 3-4 minutes.

5. Build the sauce. Sprinkle the flour and bouillon powder over the veggies and sauté for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock.
6. Load the slow cooker. Nestle the chicken breasts into the slow cooker with the sauce.
7. Cook. Put a lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 6).
8. Serve. Serve warm over white rice or mashed potatoes.

Tips for Success

Smothered chicken perfection is closer than you think. Just follow these tips and tricks, and you’ll be on your way:

• Don’t skip the sear. Searing the chicken before slow cooking locks in flavor and creates a delicious golden crust. Skip this step, and you’ll miss out on some pretty awesome flavor.
• Keep things moving. When sautéing the veggies, and then again when adding the flour and bouillon, be sure to stir consistently to prevent sticking and/or burning.
• Skillet option. If your slow cooker does not have a sauté function, you can sear the chicken, sauté the veggies, and build the sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Then, transfer it all to the slow cooker and proceed as you normally would.
• Cook until tender. This smothered chicken usually needs ~4 hours in the slow cooker on high or 6 hours on low. That said, if your chicken pieces are a bit larger, or if you’re using thighs instead of breasts, they may need more time. You’ll know it’s done when it shreds easily with a fork.

Variation Ideas

Looking to switch things up a bit? Here are some creative ideas to try:

• Consider a different protein. Not a chicken person? Pork or steak would be great here, too. Do keep in mind that these meats may require extra time in the slow cooker to become tender.
• Add some bacon. If you’d like to chop up some bacon and sauté it in the slow cooker before searing the chicken, go for it! Remove it from the slow cooker with a slotted spoon before proceeding. Return it to the crock pot before placing the lid and slow cooking.
• Mushroom madness. I will sometimes sauté some sliced mushrooms along with the other veggies to create a mushroom gravy.
• Smoky twist. If you’d like to add a smoky twist to this savory dish, add a teaspoon or two of smoked paprika to the seasoning blend.
• Add a bit of freshness. Feel free to garnish your smothered chicken with a bit of chopped fresh parsley. The pop of green and the fresh herby flavor really brighten up this cozy dish.

What Goes With Smothered Chicken?

Smothered chicken is a hearty dish that pairs well with a variety of sides to create a satisfying meal. From Cheesy Boursin Mashed Potatoes to Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin to plain white rice, serving it over your favorite carb is a must. Butter noodles or this One-Pan Butter Parmesan Pasta would be awesome, too. So would this decadent Mac and Cheese.

That’s all pretty rich, though. To lighten things up, consider a side salad tossed with your favorite dressing or some roasted veggies. Green beans or asparagus would be top-notch. Let me know what you end up doing!

How to Store and Reheat Extras

• Refrigerator. Once fully cooled, store any leftover smothered chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freezer. Need more time? Place the chicken in a freezer-safe airtight container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Before reheating, allow the chicken to thaw in the fridge.
• To reheat. Transfer the leftovers to a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until heated through, stirring halfway through. You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until warm.

More Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas

Looking for more quick and easy chicken dinner ideas? Here are some other weeknight-friendly meals your family will love:

• Street Corn Chicken Bowls
• Easy Butter Chicken
• Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Rice Casserole

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for my Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken! I look forward to your questions and feedback below.

Please be sure to tag me @BadBatchBaking using hashtag #badbatchbaking if you made this recipe, and I will feature you on my story! Plus, I LOVE to see your baking accomplishments.