Nothing is better than this easy Crock Pot smothered chicken dinner that’s hearty, healthy, and family-friendly. Tender juicy chicken is enveloped in a rich savory sauce blending the flavors of onions, creamy mushrooms, and a hint of seasoning all in a dump-and-go recipe that is sure to make your evening simple and savory.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Low stress dinners- We love simple dinners that are tasty, versatile, and on the healthier side. And this easy chicken dump recipe is everything you want. Serve it as-is or with various sides.
- Get those veggies in-This creamy smothered chicken thighs recipe includes fresh kale or spinach for a pop of flavor and healthy goodness. But, it is such a rich and delicious creamy dish that everyone – including the kids – won’t notice that they are happily eating their veggies.
- Crock pot or slow cooker meals are the best on those busy days where you just don’t want to think about dinner planning. Throw everything in, in the morning and come home to the most delicious smelling meal.
You can make this healthy recipe in a crockpot (slow cooker) as a set and forget it dinner. All you need to do is load the crock with ingredients and cook as per the recipe below!
If you have more prep time, you can sear the chicken beforehand. Sear it for a few minutes on each side in a skillet to get a beautiful golden color (and flavor!). Or, if your slow cooker offers the option to sear before slow cooking, take advantage of that!
Everyone loves a one-pot hands-off meal! In fact, our garlic chicken parmesan pasta dinner is a family favorite because it combines chicken and pasta in one pot!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This simple and savory, comforting dish recipe calls for a handful of familiar ingredients. Here’s everything you need to make this recipe:
- Bone-in or boneless skinless chicken thighs-You can substitute with shredded rotisserie chicken or turkey for convenience.
- Yellow onion– adds savory flavor with a hint of sweetness. Can substitute with shallot.
- All-purpose flour-The flour and other dry seasonings seal in moisture to prevent the chicken from becoming tough. The coating also helps brown the meat and provides a crunchy layer.
- Lawry’s season salt – or your favorite poultry seasoning
- Low-sodium chicken broth– Adds a savory flavor to the sauce. Vegetable stock or chicken stock can be used as a substitute. If you do not use low sodium, add Lowry’s to taste, due to salt content.
- Kale or Spinach– or add whatever greens you have on hand
- Sliced Mushrooms (optional)
- Milk– can substitute with half and half
- Corn starch– this gives the sauce its thick and creamy texture.
This recipe has a rich, savory sauce that is full of flavor. For a Taco Tuesday inspired dinner, try these chicken slow cooker enchiladas.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Kale is the heartiest of the leafy greens. Because it stays terrifically tender through the slow cooking process and, along with the mushrooms, adds a yummy, deep, earthy flavor.
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Kale
This easy slow cooker recipe only requires two steps for juicy chicken with a creamy, luscious sauce.
The first step is to load the Crock-Pot with chicken thighs drenched in a mixture of flour and seasonings.
Then, add the broth to the chicken with the onions and kale.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
Remember to check the temperature of the thighs with an instant-read thermometer. They should be at least 165º F.
The second step is to make the gravy:
- Once done, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set it on a plate.
- Combine the milk and cornstarch in a small bowl for the gravy to make a slurry. To shorten the thickening process, microwave the mixture for 30-45 seconds.
- Stir this mixture into the crock until smooth. Then mix it in the crock pot.
The sauce will continue to thicken as it cooks and then cools. Then serve warm as-is or with your favorite side dishes.
Serving Suggestions
Our favorite sides for this recipe are mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot, our easy loaded potato casserole, easy 3 ingredient biscuits or homemade biscuits with self-rising flour, and Bisquick apple cobbler recipes or fresh strawberry cobbler for dessert.
Or you can add more veggies as side dish, like roasted green beans and carrots. This comfort food recipe is best served during fall or winter season but still great any time of the week.
Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken Recipe FAQs
Enjoy this savory, saucy dish over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
For a low-carb or keto-friendly dinner, serve with cauliflower rice or steamed veggies.
Yes, you can. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for browning first, but you can also use boneless skinless thighs or breasts if you’re planning to make them as a dump-and-go dinner.
Swap all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free friendly alternative to easily make this a gluten-free dinner recipe. Rice flour is great for a light coating that won’t change the flavor profile.
Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. You shouldn’t freeze this meal, as the kale and cream sauce will separate.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes To Love…
If you tried this smothered chicken recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Crock Pot Smothered Chicken
Equipment
- crock pot (slow cooker)
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (4-6 bone in or boneless thighs)
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Lawry's or your favorite seasoning
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 4 stalks kale, sliced into thin ribbons (approx. 2 cups)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
Instructions
- Mix flour and seasoning. Dredge chicken thighs in flour mixture. Place chicken on the bottom of the slow cooker, cover with onions and mushrooms.
- Add the chicken broth and top with sliced kale. Cook for 6 hours on low, or 3 hours on high.
- The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165º. (Boneless chicken thighs may be fully cooked in as early as 2 hours on a high setting). Remove the chicken to a plate.
- In a small bowl, stir milk and corn starch together until smooth. To speed up the thickening process, microwave mixture for 30 to 45 seconds before adding to slow cooker.
- Add cream mixture to the crock pot, stir until well mixed and smooth. Return chicken to slow cooker and dip in the sauce. Spoon the kale and creamy sauce over chicken when serving.
Video
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Nutrition
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Marc Nelms says
If I don’t have all purpose flour, can I use self rising or all wheat flour instead?
Renae says
I would substitute the all-purpose flour with self rising flour instead of whole wheat flour. Since it contains salt, I recommend cutting back slightly on the salt in the recipe.
Alyssa says
Excellent and so easy! Thanks for the great recipe!
Renae says
You’re welcome! I love a good, easy slow cooker meal.
Crystal says
If I want to use spinach leaves in this should I still put them in right away or wait awhile? Thanks!
Renae says
I would add spinach leaves to the Crock Pot shortly before serving – 30 minutes if using low and 15 minutes on high.