If you’re in a busy season and getting dinner on the table feels near-impossible, let me will help you simplify with my easy weeknight slow cooker dinner recipes! Read on for my ultra easy, family-friendly, fresh and flavorful crockpot recipes for busy school nights and beyond.

Four overhead shots of black oval slow cookers filled with chicken, beef, and vegetables.
close up of a white bowl with soup and crumbled chips on top with a blue napkin
5 stars (7 ratings)

Slow Cooker Taco Soup (w/ Ground Beef)

This easy slow cooker taco soup is made with ground beef, canned to beans, sweet corn (fresh or frozen), and a little kick from canned green chilis, all slow simmering away in a rich and savory broth. A super hearty, filling and flavorful meal that's simple to make, but still packed with flavor.
Ingredients: ground beef, black beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, diced green chilis, corn, chicken stock, lime juice, onion, olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika and salt.
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Overhead shot of ramen noodles in a slow cooker topped with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. A serving fork is sticking out of the noodles.
5 stars (41 ratings)

Easiest Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles (with Beef!)

Comforting, savory and slurpable, this recipe for slow cooker ramen noodles combines lean ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and a super simple sauce in the crockpot for a delicious and nearly effortless meal.
Ingredients: ground beef, slaw mix, carrots, garlic, low sodium tamari (or soy sauce), chicken stock, brown sugar, ramen noodles.
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An overhead shot of a slow cooker with lasagna. The slow cooker is surrounded by a tea towel and fresh herbs, a tea towel, and a small bowl with grated parmesan cheese.
5 stars (8 ratings)

Effortless Crock Pot Lasagna (w/ Jar Sauce)

Allow me to introduce you to the absolute easiest crock pot lasagna. It's a no-chop, no-boil noodle recipe, but you’ll still end up with a bubbly, cheesy, craveable one-pot meal. Made simple with spaghetti sauce and cottage cheese, it's about to become your new staple lasagna recipe!
Ingredients: olive oil, lean ground beef, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, lasagna noodles, low fat cottage cheese, Italian cheese blend.
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Brown bowl on a blue background filled with chicken and bean chili, topped with cheese, cilantro, and avocado.
4.96 stars (49 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili (Dump and Go)

Ingredients: chicken, tomato sauce, beans, salsa, cumin, garlic and salt.
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Serving spoon scooping taco casserole out of a slow cooker.
5 stars (9 ratings)

Crock Pot Taco Casserole

This easy Crock Pot Taco Casserole is simple dump-and-go slow cooker recipe (my speciality!) that everyone will love. The ground beef requires no pre-browning, so you can easily whip up a hearty and delicious crowd pleasing casserole for a crowd or for dinner tonight.
Ingredients: taco meat, salsa, enchilada sauce, black beans, cheese, tortilla chips.
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spoonful of crockpot spaghetti sauce with beef in a black slow cooker pot
5 stars (4 ratings)

Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce (w/ Ground Beef!)

Easy dinner recipes are my specialty, and this crock pot spaghetti sauce with meat is just that! Made from scratch with ground beef, diced onions, and canned tomatoes, this slow cooker meat sauce is rich in flavor and perfectly seasoned. It’s great to make in large batches and perfect for freezing!
Ingredients: ground beef, onion, olive oil, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, honey (optional) and salt.
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Close up photo of a shredded chicken taco on a small flour tortilla topped with avocado chunks, shredded lettuce, and salsa.
5 stars (11 ratings)

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (No Salsa)

Friends, these are the best shredded slow cooker chicken tacos ever! Using only 6 ingredients, and with the option to use no salsa, it's a simple time-saving, dump-and-go recipe that will allow you to celebrate Taco Tuesday every week!
Ingredients: garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, chicken, salsa.
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Close-up overhead shot of a white bowl with chicken chili topped with sour cream, hot sauce, and green onions. The bowl is surrounded by a towel and smaller dishes with blue cheese, sliced green onions, hot sauce, and sour cream.
4.82 stars (11 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili (Award Winning!)

This easy Buffalo chicken chili is spicy, hearty, creamy and has helped my readers win chili cook-off awards! Wildly simple to make, it's protein-packed, made without cream, and can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker without pre-browning.
Ingredients: chicken, white beans, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, chicken stock, hot sauce, cream cheese.
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Overhead image of a white enameled dutch oven with spaghetti, with tomato sauce and ground turkey. The dutch oven is surrounded by a plate of cooked spaghetti, a bowl of parmesan cheese, a wooden bowl with salt, fresh herbs, and a white and blue striped tea towel.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Easiest Ground Turkey Spaghetti (6-Ingredients)

The easiest ground turkey spaghetti sauce you'll find, this recipe combines 6 simple ingredients like garlicky marinara sauce and ground turkey for a flavor packed meal that's nearly effortless!
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, salt, ground turkey, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, spaghetti (or gluten-free spaghetti).
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top down view of white bowl of vegetable soup with striped blue napkin
5 stars (51 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup (Dump and Go!)

This easy, hearty slow cooker vegetable soup is made with a mix of cut veggies that stand up well to a longer cook time, such as carrots, potatoes, and celery (no mush veggies here!) Best of all, you can make it without sautéing the vegetables first, which is a nice time-saver, too! 
Ingredients: potatoes, celery, carrot, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, peas, corn, green beans, stock, garlic powder, smoked paprika, bay leaves and salt.
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white bowl of crockpot turkey meatballs on blue background with striped napkin
5 stars (17 ratings)

Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Marinara (No Egg)

Full of fresh herbs like basil, and slow simmered in a simple marinara sauce, this slow cooker turkey meatball recipe is packed with protein, and made without breadcrumbs or eggs. Plus, there's no pre-cooking, so it's super easy to prep and the meatballs come out juicy and will truly melt-in-your-mouth.
Ingredients: ground turkey, marinara sauce, basil, spinach, onion, garlic powder, parmesan and salt.
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Overhead shot of a bowl of sweet potato black bean chili garnished with avocado slices and sliced green onions. You can see a second bowl of chili, a lime wedge, cilantro, and a kitchen towel in the background.
5 stars (35 ratings)

5-Ingredient Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)

5-Ingredient Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili is simple to prepare, totally nourishing, and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, black beans, salsa, vegetable stock, cumin, smoked paprika and salt
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closeup of a white bowl filled with soup on a blue background with blue striped napkin
4.92 stars (37 ratings)

Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Simple and hearty, slow cooker hamburger soup is loaded with vegetables and ground beef, and can be simmered all day in the slow cooker or made in 35 minutes on the stovetop.
Ingredients: lean ground beef, onion, carrots, celery, tomato paste, chicken stock (or beef stock), olive oil, potatoes, red & yellow bell peppers, red wine vinegar, water, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt.
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Close up overhead image of grey plate with a fork and a baked potato stuffed with shredded chicken, salsa, scallions, sour cream, and cilantro. Plate is surrounded by bowls of salsa, chopped scallions, sour cream, shredded chicken, cilantro, limes, and another grey plate with a stuffed potato.
4.99 stars (52 ratings)

3-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes

3-Ingredient crockpot salsa chicken stuffed potatoes is the easiest, most delicious, wildly simple slow cooker recipe you’ll find anywhere. What’s more, you don't have to chop a thing, and everything cooks together in the slow cooker (even the potatoes!), so prep is super fast and cleanup is a breeze!
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, salsa, and russet potatoes.
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A slow cooker with raw chicken thighs covered in a brown sauce, chopped garlic, and red pepper flakes.
4.80 stars (5 ratings)

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken

Slow cooker hot honey chicken just got a whole lot got easier! For this simplified version, chicken thighs slow cook to tender, juicy perfection in a simple 5-ingredient sweet & spicy homemade hot honey sauce. With the option to finish it under the broiler for sticky caramelization and serve with crunchy toppings in a hot honey chicken sandwich, this is a doable and oh-so delicious meal that will have you licking your fingers!
Ingredients: honey, brown sugar, white vinegar, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, chicken thighs.
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sloppy joe sandwich on a white plate with leafy greens and striped blue napkin
4.67 stars (9 ratings)

Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

Made with ground turkey meat and a homemade sloppy joe sauce including tomato paste, ketchup, and simple spices, this wholesome slow cooker turkey sloppy joe recipe takes ground turkey from a basic protein to a delicious, craveable family meal!
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onions, red bell peppers, water and salt.
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Overhead shot of a white bowl with creamy broth, diced carrots, shredded chicken, and tortellini, topped with fresh parsley and a hunk of baguette. Bowl is surrounded by a striped towel, sprigs of fresh parsley, baguettes, and small bowls of chopped parsley and pepper.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup (Slow Cooker & Stovetop!)

This easy, creamy, and comforting chicken tortellini soup recipe requires minimal prep yet produces super flavorful, protein-packed, filling results every time. A true one-pot wonder, it comes together simply in the slow cooker or on the stovetop!
Ingredients: onion, celery, carrots, Italian seasoning, salt, chicken broth, boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cheese tortellini, cream.
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Overhead image of an oval platter of chicken drumsticks.
5 stars (20 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.
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5 stars (36 ratings)

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with 5-Ingredient Peanut Sauce

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with 5-Ingredient Peanut Sauce is a crave-worthy dinner that can be prepped in minutes!
Ingredients: chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, peanut butter, garlic, maple syrup, vinegar and other spices.
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Overhead image of a slow cooker with shredded chicken in a soy based sauce topped with green onions.
4.95 stars (18 ratings)

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

The easiest, most delicious slow cooker chicken recipe yet! Slow cooker honey garlic chicken requires only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to produce sweet, savory, and sticky chicken.
Ingredients: soy sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, boneless chicken thighs (or boneless skinless chicken breasts), cornstarch.
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close up of crockpot vegetarian chili in a white bowl with toppings
4.99 stars (196 ratings)

Crockpot Vegetarian Chili

This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Gluten free and vegan!
Ingredients: black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, bell peppers, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
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Overhead shot of a serving bowl with a serving fork and cooked chicken thighs covered in red sauce and chopped fresh herbs. Bowl is surrounded by a towel; a jar of red sauce; and small bowls of coleslaw, potato chips, and chopped herbs.
5 stars (7 ratings)

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

Wondering if it’s possible to get succulent, melt-in-your mouth chicken thighs in the slow cooker, made with just 5 ingredients and prepped in under 5 minutes? Well, the answer is a resounding YES. Slow cooked and bathed in a simple BBQ sauce–this is the chicken thigh recipe you won't be able to get enough of.
Ingredients: chicken thighs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, BBQ sauce.
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Overhead shot of shredded chicken breast garnished with lemon slices, parsley and yogurt sauce in a slow cooker.
4.80 stars (25 ratings)

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Slow cooker Greek chicken combines just 4 ingredients like lemon, garlic and Greek yogurt to create a fresh, delicious high-protein meal you can use in a number of ways. Stuffed in pita piled with veggies or in a bowl with rice or pita, it's a Greek-inspired slow cooker recipe that you will find yourself making week after week!
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, chicken.
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bowl of shredded slow cooker fajita salsa chicken with chips and avocado on white table
5 stars (28 ratings)

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken

The perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients: chicken, onion, bell pepper, salsa, lime juice and salt
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Overhead shot of meatballs in marinara sauce sprinkled with fresh basil.
5 stars (4 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.
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closeup view of turkey chili in a white bowl with chips and lime slices
5 stars (1 rating)

Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili (More Ground Turkey Crockpot Recipes)

Easy and delicious slow cooker ground turkey chili, plus more slow cooker turkey recipes!
Ingredients: ground turkey, canned beans, bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
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white bowl of crockpot white chicken chili with jalapenos and tortilla chips on top
5 stars (120 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili (w/ Cream Cheese)

This easy crockpot white chicken chili is easy to prep in just 5-minutes, and is a simple dump-and-go recipe (no pre-cooking required). It's hearty & filling from chicken breasts (or thighs), white beans, and deliciously creamy from just the right amount of cream cheese. Give it a try and find out why my readers call it the BEST white chicken chili they've ever had.
Ingredients: chicken breast, stock, white beans, mild green chilis, salsa verde, onion, garlic powder, cumin, cream cheese (traditional or dairy-free).
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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.
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Slow cooker BBQ chicken in a black crockpot on a white background.
5 stars (18 ratings)

2-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (w/ Breast Meat)

This wildly easy 2-ingredient slow cooker BBQ chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken breasts. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
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Shredded slow cooker enchilada chicken with tomato sauce in a black crockpot on a white background.
4.99 stars (72 ratings)

6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken

This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. With just 6-ingredients and no pre-cooking, let me show you how easy this fresh & simple enchilada chicken is to make!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
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bowl of shredded slow cooker fajita salsa chicken with chips and avocado on white table
No ratings yet

Back-to-School Fajita Salsa Chicken + More Dinner Ideas

by Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 6 hours
Total: 6 hours 5 minutes
The perfect recipe for when you're short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, this 5-Ingredient Back-to-School Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients. Plus more slow cooker dinner ideas.
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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1-2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1-2 medium bell pepper, red, yellow, orange or green, thinly sliced
  • 1 16-oz jar or container salsa, divided (any brand you like, avoid those with added sugar or ingredients you can’t pronounce)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Juice of 1 lime, about 2 tablespoons

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken, onions, peppers, about ⅔ of the salsa, and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker, stirring to combine.
  • Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6, or until the chicken and vegetables are very tender.
  • Uncover and remove the chicken to a cutting board. Shred with two forks or cut into pieces.
  • If there is a lot of liquid in the slow cooker you can drain some off or leave it all in, depending on whether you want a drier or saucier consistency.
  • Add back the chicken, the remaining salsa, and lime juice, stirring everything together. Taste and add additional salt, lime juice or salsa if you like.

Notes

Vegetable Side Suggestion: Taco Slaw.
Use whatever salsa you like, though I prefer the thick-and-chunky jarred variety for better texture.
This chicken and veggie mixture is extremely versatile, so serve it however you like. Stuffed into tacos, wrapped in lettuce leaves, over brown rice, or just as it is.
Feel free to pile on the toppings. Think sliced avocado, sour cream, grated cheese, chopped cilantro, green onions, or hot sauce.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 186kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 372mg, Potassium: 629mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 668IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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