Yes, you can make slow cooker meals the night before, or even several days, beforehand! These slow cooker recipes can be prepped the night before. Just store the insert in the fridge, then set and go

Prep Ahead Tips

  • The night before, assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker insert. Cover the insert and refrigerate. The next day, place the insert back into the slow cooker base. Cover and cook according to recipe instructions.
  • If you don’t have room in you fridge for the slow cooker insert, simply prepare all the ingredients ahead, add to a zip-top bag or container, refrigerate, then add to the slow cooker and cook according to recipe instructions.
Overhead shot of a bowl of red pepper soup topped with a mound of white rice.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup (with Rice)

Hearty stuffed pepper soup with ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomato broth. Easy slow cooker or stovetop dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, ground beef, salt, Italian seasoning, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilis, Worcestershire sauce, white rice.
go to recipe
Overhead image of a slow cooker with shredded chicken in a soy based sauce topped with green onions.
4.96 stars (22 ratings)

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (5-Ingredients)

Five ingredients, five minutes of prep, and no pre-cooking, my crockpot honey garlic chicken comes out sweet, sticky, and full of flavor every time. Serve over rice for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: soy sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, boneless chicken thighs (or boneless skinless chicken breasts), cornstarch.
go to recipe
Overhead image of an oval platter of chicken drumsticks.
5 stars (29 ratings)

Incredible Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)

Get delicious, fall-off-the-bone meat with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe that just uses 4 ingredients!
Ingredients: smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, chicken drumsticks, BBQ sauce.
go to recipe
Overhead shot of shredded roast beef being served out of a slow cooker with a serving fork. Slow cooker is surrounded by a gravy boat, bowl of chopped parsley, sprigs of fresh parsley, and a bowl of mashed potatoes.
5 stars (18 ratings)

Mississippi Pot Roast (No Packets)

Mississippi pot roast made without ranch or au jus packets, just pantry spices, butter, pepperoncini, and beef. A fall-apart tender slow cooker dinner!
Ingredients: chuck roast, dried parsley, granulated garlic, onion powder, kosher salt, beef broth, pepperoncini, butter, cornstarch.
go to recipe
Overhead shot of raw chicken tighs covered in an orange sauce in a slow cooker.
4.95 stars (20 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Satay Chicken (w/ Coconut Milk)

Slow cooker satay chicken is a flavorful, versatile meal made with chicken thighs, coconut milk, and curry paste. A simplified take one Thai peanut chicken, it's a delicious and easy dinner recipe that's not only quick to prepare but also a great meal prep protein option. You wont believe how flavorful the end result it!
Ingredients: chicken, salt, peanut butter, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce.
go to recipe
Overhead shot of bowls of creamy potato corn chowder with corn kernels and basil leaves. The bowl in the middle has a spoon in it.
5 stars (36 ratings)

Slow Cooker Corn Chowder (Vegetarian)

This vegetarian slow cooker corn chowder is creamy without any dairy, loaded with potatoes and sweet corn, and ready with minimal prep.
Ingredients: russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, broth, coconut milk, onion, garlic, white wine vinegar and other spices
go to recipe
overhead shot of soup with sausage, kale, and potatoes in a bowl with a gold spoon and bread.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana

With a short list of ingredients, this easy lightened up crock pot zuppa Toscana is a hearty one pot meal that's a simple slow cooker meal everyone will love!
Ingredients: sweet Italian sausage, onion, garlic, russet potato, salt, chicken stock, kale, cream.
go to recipe
Overhead shot of meatballs in marinara sauce sprinkled with fresh basil.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Meatballs (in Marinara)

These tender, juicy, melt-in-your mouth slow cooker meatballs could not be simpler to make! Requiring no pre-cooking or pre-browning, these ground beef meatballs simmer low and slow in a simple Italian marinara sauce for the ultimate meatball dinner. Bring on the spaghetti!
Ingredients: ground beef, parmesan, onion, garlic, Italian breadcrumbs (gluten free or traditional), egg, salt, marinara sauce.
go to recipe
Overhead shot of a cooked whole chicken in a black slow cooker.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (Rotisserie Dupe!)

The easiest, juiciest chicken you'll ever make, this slow cooker whole chicken takes less than 5 minutes to prep and is the perfect "dupe" for a rotisserie chicken. No chopping + no searing; just dump and go for the most succulent chicken that works every time!
Ingredients: whole chicken, spices, salt.
go to recipe
Overhead shot of slow cooker flank steak topped with fresh herbs inside of a black crockpot.
4.94 stars (45 ratings)

Slow Cooker Flank Steak

This ultra tender slow cooker flank steak recipe could not be easier to make, and yields the most delicious, tender flank steak for tacos, sandwiches and more!
Ingredients: flank steak, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, olive oil and salt.
go to recipe
Overhead shot of an oval baking dish with cooked chicken thighs. The baking dish is surrounded by a lime cut in half, fresh herbs, and containers with sauce, lime wedges, and peanuts.
No ratings yet

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Thighs + More Prep Ahead Slow Cooker Recipes

Developed and tested by A woman with long blonde hair, smiling, holds and pours a bottle of oil in a modern kitchen setting.Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 5 minutes
Slow cooker peanut chicken thighs are flavorful, versatile, and can be prepped ahead. Plus 10 more prep ahead slow cooker recipes!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, or boneless skinless breasts
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the Satay Sauce

  • ⅓ cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky
  • ⅓ cup canned coconut milk
  • 1-2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
  • 1 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoons fish sauce, or tamari

Optional Serving Suggestions

  • Chopped roasted peanuts, fresh lime slices, fresh cilantro, steamed rice

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken to a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the chicken to coat.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, coconut milk, curry paste, sugar, lime juice, and tamari until very smooth.
  • Pour ⅓ of the satay sauce over the chicken, tossing gently to coat. Set the remaining sauce aside. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or low for 4-4, or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender but not falling apart.
  • When the chicken is cooked, uncover and carefully drain the cooking liquid. Pour over half of the remaining satay sauce, tossing to coat.
  • Optional, but recommended: Place the cooked and sauce-coated chicken on a broiler safe pan or baking sheet. Place under a broiler for 3-5 minutes or until browned, then flip and broil 2-3 more minutes to brown the other side. Keep a close eye on the chicken, as the sugar in the sauce can brown very quickly.
  • Serve the sauce coated chicken with the remaining satay sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with cilantro, fresh lime slices, and peanuts if desired.
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 308kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 144mg, Sodium: 528mg, Potassium: 501mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 432IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

Share + Save this Recipe