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There is nothing better than an easy Crock Pot dump and go dinner that’s hearty, healthy, and family-friendly. This slow cooker smothered chicken recipe combines just a few wholesome ingredients in one pot for a super simple and amazingly delicious meal that everyone will love! Pair it with hearty green like kale or spinach for a healthy comfort meal. Creamy smothered chicken thighs are creamy, savory, and full of flavor – and perfect to serve on their own or enjoy over noodles or potatoes.
Easy Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken
I love simple dinners that are tasty, versatile, and on the healthier side. This easy chicken recipe is everything you want cooked together in a slow cooker, and can be served as-is or with a variety of sides.
This creamy smothered chicken thighs recipe includes fresh kale for spinach or a pop of flavor and healthy goodness. But it is such a rich and delicious creamy dish that everyone – including the kids – will completely ignore the fact that they are happily eating their veggies.
Dump and Go
Use your classic slow cooker to make smothered chicken as a dump and go or set and forget it dinner. All you need to do is load the crock with ingredients and cook per the recipe below!
If you’ve got a bit more time for prep, you can choose to brown the chicken beforehand. Sear the chicken for a few minutes on each side in a skillet to get a beautiful golden color.
Or, as I did, you can use a slow cooker to brown the chicken and then slow cook in just one pan. This does create an even more flavorful crust, but is not necessary.
What Ingredients are in this Crock Pot Smothered Chicken Recipe
This simple and savory, comforting dish recipe calls for a handful of familiar ingredients. Here’s everything you need to make my Crock Pot smothered chicken dinner:
- Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs
- Yellow onion
- All purpose flour
- Lawyr’s – or your favorite seasoning
- Low sodium chicken broth
- Kale or Spinach
- Mushrooms (optional)
- Milk
- Corn starch
I like to use kale in this recipe as it is the heartiest of the leafy greens. It stays terrifically tender through the slow cooking process, and along with the mushrooms adds a yummy deep earthy flavor to the creamy chicken.
Generally, I leave the mushrooms out as I am not a big fan of them. So, mushrooms are completely optional here.
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Kale
This easy slow cooker recipe only requires two main steps to make juicy chicken and a creamy, luscious sauce with barely any effort.
The first step is to load the Crock Pot with chicken thighs drenched in a mixture of flour and seasonings. Layer the chicken with the onions and kale, and add the broth.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
Remember to the internal temperature of the chicken thighs with an instant read thermometer to ensure they are 165º F.
Next, it’s time to make the smothered chicken gravy:
- Once done, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set on a plate.
- Make a slurry in a small bowl by combining the milk and corn starch. To shorten the thickening process, microwave the mixture for 30-45 seconds.
- Stir this mixture into the crock until smooth. Then return the chicken to the slow cooker and coat in the gravy.
The sauce will continue to thicken as it cooks and then cools. Serve warm as-is, or with your favorite side dishes.
Leftovers will keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge. Because of the kale and cream sauce I don’t recommend that you freeze this meal.
What sides go well with Crock Pot Chicken?
Making creamy smothered chicken thighs in the Crock Pot is a staple in our house, so it is easy to share a variety of sides to serve it with:
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Loaded Potato Casserole
- Easy 3 Ingredient Biscuits or Drop Biscuits
- Apple or Strawberry Cobbler
Below is the Full Crock Pot Smothered Chicken Recipe!
I love to enjoy this savory, saucy dish over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
For a low carb dinner, serve with cauliflower rice or steamed veggies.
Yes you can. I use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs as these are my favorite for browning first, but you can also use boneless skinless thighs or breasts if you’re planning to make as a dump 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.
Get the Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken Recipe Here:
Crock Pot Smothered Chicken
Equipment
- Slow Cooker/Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (4-6 bone in or boneless thighs)
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp Lawry's or your favorite seasoning
- 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 4 stalks kale, sliced into thin ribbons (approx. 2 cups)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 Tbsp corn starch
Instructions
- Mix flour and seasoning. Dredge chicken thighs in flour mixture. Place chicken on bottom of 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 high setting).
- 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. Remove the chicken to a plate. Add cream mixture to crock pot, stir until well mixed and smooth. Return chicken to slow cooker and dip in sauce. Spoon the kale and creamy sauce over chicken when serving.
Nutrition
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Excellent and so easy! Thanks for the great recipe!
You’re welcome! I love a good, easy slow cooker meal.
If I want to use spinach leaves in this should I still put them in right away or wait awhile? Thanks!
I would add spinach leaves to the Crock Pot shortly before serving – 30 minutes if using low and 15 minutes on high.