If you’re craving a comforting, hands-off dinner that feels like a warm hug, then you’re in for a treat with this Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe. I absolutely love how simple it is to throw everything together and come home to a delicious, hearty meal that smells incredible. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this recipe will quickly become one you turn to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Comfort Food: You just toss everything in the crockpot and let it do its magic while you relax or handle your day.
- Creamy and Flavorful: The combination of cream of chicken soup and sour cream gives it a rich texture without being heavy.
- Perfect for Busy Days: I discovered this trick when I had barely any time but wanted something cozy and homemade.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this, and it’s always requested at gatherings or busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work harmoniously to create a simple yet satisfying meal. Don’t worry if you can’t find fresh parsley—the dried parsley flakes do a great job too! I always keep chicken stuffing mix stocked since it’s the secret to that homestyle flavor everyone loves.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Using breasts keeps it lean and tender, but thighs can work if you prefer juicier meat.
- Cream of chicken soup: This creates the creamy base for the sauce—in my experience, at least two cans give it the perfect texture.
- Sour cream: Adds a subtle tang and creaminess that really elevates the dish.
- Diced white onion: Adds just the right bit of sharpness to balance the richness.
- Dried parsley flakes: Fresh parsley is great if you have it, but dried works just fine for the slow cooker.
- Chicken stuffing mix: The classic boxed variety brings that traditional stuffing flavor—don’t skip this!
- Salted butter: Melted and tossed with the stuffing mix to give it that buttery goodness.
- Fresh parsley: For garnishing and a pop of color at the end.
Variations
I love to tweak this Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe depending on what I have on hand or my mood that day. Feel free to make it your own and get creative with flavors and add-ins.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts: I tried this once when I wanted juicier meat, and it was incredibly flavorful—just adjust cooking times slightly.
- Add veggies: Tossing in frozen peas or chopped carrots adds color and nutrients without extra fuss.
- Spice it up: A pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika gives it a lovely depth. I learned this when I wanted a bolder flavor profile.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap sour cream with a non-dairy alternative and use a dairy-free cream soup.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
Step 1: Layer the Base
Start by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker. I like to use a slow cooker liner for an easy cleanup—trust me, it saves time and keeps things tidy.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Sauce
Pour both cans of cream of chicken soup over the chicken. Then, add your sour cream. Use a rubber spatula to gently swirl it into the soup without disturbing the chicken too much. This ensures every bite will be creamy and delicious.
Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters
Sprinkle the diced onion and dried parsley flakes evenly over the top. These simple aromatics add a subtle brightness that makes all the difference.
Step 4: Topping Time
In a small bowl, melt the butter and toss it with the dry chicken stuffing mix. Spread this buttery mixture right over the sauce layer. This creates that classic stuffing texture you know and love.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. If you want, you can uncover the last 45 minutes to firm up the stuffing topping a bit — it won’t get crispy like in the oven, but it helps the texture. Honestly, I’ve made it both ways and it’s always fantastic.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Once done, season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve. I like pairing it with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh steamed vegetables to round out the meal.
Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
- Choose the Right Slow Cooker size: A 6-quart slow cooker works perfectly for this recipe to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Use a Slow Cooker Liner: I can’t recommend this enough—cleanup becomes a breeze and your crockpot stays spotless.
- Don’t Skip the Sour Cream: This ingredient really lifts the creaminess and subtle tang, making the whole dish richer and more balanced.
- Avoid Overcooking the Chicken: Check tenderness near the lower end of cooking times to prevent dry chicken, especially with breasts.
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
Garnishes
I always top my serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—it adds a fresh, vibrant color and a bit of brightness that contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce and stuffing. Sometimes I toss in a few cracked black peppercorns for a little pop.
Side Dishes
One of my favorite combos is mashed potatoes (because who doesn’t love extra comfort?) and a simple vegetable like steamed green beans or roasted carrots. The veggies add freshness and balance so the meal doesn’t feel too heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or special occasions, I’ve served this in shallow casserole dishes with extra buttered stuffing on top, then broiled for a couple of minutes to get a lightly golden crust—be sure to watch it carefully! It feels fancy but is so easy to pull off.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I transfer leftovers to airtight containers and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld more as it sits, so the next-day meal is just as good—sometimes even better!
Freezing
I’ve frozen this recipe a couple of times with success. Make sure to cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The texture stays great, especially if you gently reheat to avoid drying out the chicken.
Reheating
I usually reheat leftovers in the microwave on medium power to warm through evenly. If you’re reheating a larger portion, the oven works well—cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful, which makes them a great substitute. Just keep in mind they might need a slightly longer cooking time, so check for doneness around the 7-hour mark on low.
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Is it necessary to uncover the slow cooker at the end to firm the stuffing?
Not at all! Covering the slow cooker the whole time keeps everything moist. Uncovering for the last 45 minutes is optional and only helps to firm the stuffing topping slightly but won’t make it crispy like an oven bake.
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Can I prepare this recipe in advance and freeze it?
Yes! Prepare the dish as usual, let it cool, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently to maintain the best texture and flavor.
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What can I serve with Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe for a complete meal?
I recommend mashed potatoes and steamed or roasted veggies like green beans, carrots, or broccoli. They balance the rich dish perfectly and add some fresh texture to your plate.
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How do I avoid dry chicken in this slow cooker recipe?
Using boneless skinless chicken breasts works well if you keep an eye on the cooking time—start checking for doneness closer to 6 hours on low. Also, the creamy sauce helps keep the chicken moist while it cooks.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe has been such a cozy go-to for me when life gets busy. I love that it feels like a home-cooked hug with minimal effort, and it’s a real crowd-pleaser in my family. If you want a dish that’s comforting, straightforward, and full of flavor, give this a try—I’m pretty sure it’ll become part of your weekly rotation like it did mine!
Print
Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing recipe combines tender chicken breasts with creamy soup and a savory stuffing topping, all slow-cooked to perfection for an easy yet satisfying meal. Perfect for busy days, this dish offers a simple way to enjoy homestyle comfort food with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (2 ½ pounds)
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounces each)
- ½ cup sour cream (122 grams)
- ¼ cup diced white onion
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
Stuffing Topping
- 1 box chicken stuffing mix (6 ounces)
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnishing
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts into a 6-quart slow cooker lined with a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
- Add the Soup and Sour Cream: Pour the condensed cream of chicken soup over the chicken breasts. Add the sour cream and use a rubber spatula to gently swirl together the soup and sour cream evenly over the chicken.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle the diced white onion and dried parsley evenly over the mixture in the slow cooker.
- Prepare the Stuffing Topping: In a small bowl, combine the dry chicken stuffing mix with the melted salted butter and toss to coat the stuffing thoroughly.
- Top the Chicken: Evenly sprinkle the buttered stuffing mix over the top of the chicken and soup mixture in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Optional Stuffing Texture: If desired, uncover the slow cooker in the last 45 minutes of cooking to allow the stuffing to firm up slightly. Note that the stuffing won’t be crispy but will have improved texture.
- Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot alongside mashed potatoes and a vegetable of choice.
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- The recipe is designed to serve 6 people, with calorie estimates based on this serving size.
- Different brands and ingredients may vary in nutritional content, so nutritional information is approximate.
- For a crisper stuffing topping, you may transfer the cooked filling to a baking dish and bake uncovered briefly, though this is optional and not required.
- Using a slow cooker liner simplifies cleanup but is optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
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