Craving a comforting and wholesome meal that practically cooks itself? This easy slow cooker Italian chicken and potatoes recipe is your new weeknight hero.
Imagine tender chicken, perfectly cooked potatoes, and a medley of vegetables infused with savory Italian flavors, all simmering away while you go about your day.
This dish is designed for busy families and anyone looking for a healthy, hands-off dinner solution. It’s hearty, satisfying, and requires minimal effort, making it a perfect addition to your regular meal rotation.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken and Potatoes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This easy slow cooker Italian chicken and potatoes recipe features tender chicken, perfectly cooked potatoes, and a medley of vegetables infused with savory Italian flavors. It’s a wholesome, hands-off dinner solution designed for busy families, requiring minimal effort and making it ideal for meal prepping.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and quarter the small potatoes. Peel and cut the carrots into uniform 1-inch pieces. Chop the onion. Place all the prepared vegetables into the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Season the Chicken: Pat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are well coated.
3. Layer the Ingredients: Place the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Distribute them evenly so they cook consistently.
4. Add Liquids: Pour the can of undrained diced tomatoes over the chicken and vegetables. Then, carefully pour the chicken broth around the ingredients, ensuring it reaches the bottom of the pot. The liquid is crucial for creating a moist and flavorful environment for slow cooking.
5. Set and Cook: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fork-tender and the potatoes easily pierced with a fork when done. Avoid lifting the lid too often, as this releases heat and extends the cooking time.
6. Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and vegetables to serving plates. The chicken should shred easily. Ladle some of the flavorful cooking liquid over the top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, for a pop of color and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Keywords: chicken, potatoes, slow cooker, italian, easy, comfort food, weeknight, healthy, one pot, meal prep
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone juggling a busy schedule but still wanting to put a nutritious, home-cooked meal on the table. It’s incredibly forgiving, making it ideal for beginner cooks, and the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. You simply toss the ingredients in, set it, and forget it until dinner time. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner, a casual gathering with friends, or even for meal prepping healthy lunches for the week ahead. The Italian seasoning provides a universally loved flavor profile that appeals to both adults and children, ensuring clean plates all around.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this slow cooker Italian chicken and potatoes is straightforward, using common pantry staples and fresh produce. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way the flavors meld together over hours of gentle cooking.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1.5 pounds small red or Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
For the chicken, boneless, skinless chicken thighs tend to stay more moist and flavorful in the slow cooker, but breasts work just as well if that’s what you prefer or have on hand. If using breasts, you might want to cut them into larger chunks to prevent them from drying out. When it comes to potatoes, small red or Yukon gold potatoes hold their shape well and have a creamy texture after slow cooking. Feel free to use baby carrots to save on prep time, or even a bag of frozen mixed vegetables if you’re in a real pinch, though fresh is always best for flavor and texture. If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth can be used as a substitute, or even just water if you’re really in a bind, though it will reduce the depth of flavor slightly.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal active cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low
- Total Time: Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes, depending on your slow cooker setting.
The majority of the time is hands-off cooking, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax while your delicious dinner simmers to perfection.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this hearty slow cooker Italian chicken and potatoes dish is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Start by washing and quartering your small potatoes. Peel and cut the carrots into uniform 1-inch pieces. Chop the onion. Place all the prepared vegetables into the bottom of your slow cooker. This forms a sturdy base for the chicken and helps the vegetables cook thoroughly.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are well coated. This step infuses the chicken with rich flavor.
- Layer the Ingredients: Place the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Distribute them evenly so they cook consistently.
- Add Liquids: Pour the can of undrained diced tomatoes over the chicken and vegetables. Then, carefully pour the chicken broth around the ingredients, ensuring it reaches the bottom of the pot. The liquid is crucial for creating a moist and flavorful environment for slow cooking.
- Set and Cook: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fork-tender and the potatoes easily pierced with a fork when done. Avoid lifting the lid too often, as this releases heat and extends the cooking time.
- Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and vegetables to serving plates. The chicken should shred easily. Ladle some of the flavorful cooking liquid over the top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, for a pop of color and freshness.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This slow cooker Italian chicken and potatoes recipe is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a little extra kick, you could add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix. If you enjoy olives, a handful of pitted Kalamata olives tossed in during the last hour of cooking would add a briny depth. For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
When serving, this dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices. For a heartier meal, consider serving it over a bed of fluffy couscous or even some polenta. Kids often love this meal, especially if you cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces before serving. You can also offer a side of grated Parmesan cheese for those who enjoy a cheesy topping.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple slow cooker recipe, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. One frequent error is overfilling the slow cooker. Always ensure your slow cooker is filled no more than two-thirds to three-quarters full to allow for proper heat circulation and prevent overflow. Another common issue is lifting the lid too often. Every time you peek, you release a significant amount of heat, which can add 15-20 minutes to your cooking time. Resist the urge to check until near the end of the recommended cooking period.
Using chicken breasts and cooking them on high for too long can sometimes lead to dry chicken. If you prefer breasts, consider cutting them into larger pieces or cooking on the low setting to maintain moisture. Also, make sure your vegetables are cut into roughly uniform sizes. If some pieces are too small and others too large, you’ll end up with unevenly cooked vegetables – some mushy, some still firm. Lastly, don’t skimp on seasoning. Slow cookers can sometimes mute flavors, so ensure you’re generous with your Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can always taste and adjust at the end.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This slow cooker Italian chicken and potatoes recipe is excellent for meal prepping and makes for fantastic leftovers. To store, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. When freezing, try to include some of the cooking liquid with each portion to help maintain moisture and flavor upon reheating.
To reheat, thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight. Then, you can reheat individual servings in the microwave until hot, stirring occasionally. For larger quantities, gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if it seems too dry. The texture of the chicken and potatoes holds up remarkably well, making this a convenient option for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, you can use frozen boneless, skinless chicken, but it’s best to thaw it first for even cooking and to ensure the seasoning adheres well. If you must use frozen, add an extra hour or two to the cooking time on low.
What if I don’t have Italian seasoning? You can create your own blend! A good substitute would be a mix of dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of marjoram. Aim for about two tablespoons total.
Can I add other vegetables? Absolutely! Bell peppers, zucchini (added in the last hour to prevent mushiness), or mushrooms would be delicious additions. Just be mindful not to overfill your slow cooker.
Is it possible to brown the chicken first? While not strictly necessary for this recipe, browning the chicken in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker can add an extra layer of flavor and a slightly richer color. It’s an optional step if you have the time
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
