Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This hearty and comforting slow cooker chicken casserole is the perfect solution for busy evenings. It features tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, all enveloped in a rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful sauce. Get ready to enjoy a delicious, fuss-free dinner with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole
This delightful chicken dish will quickly become a family favorite for many reasons:
- Effortlessly Tender Chicken: Your chicken will turn out incredibly moist and fall-apart tender, slow-cooked to perfection.
- Deeply Flavorful Sauce: A savory, creamy sauce infuses every ingredient, providing a rich depth of flavor that is truly irresistible.
- Minimal Hands-On Time: Simply brown a few ingredients, then let your slow cooker do all the hard work while you go about your day.
- Customizable Goodness: Easily swap out vegetables or adjust seasonings to match your family’s preferences for this comforting slow-cooked chicken.
- Cozy Family Dinner: This satisfying slow cooker chicken casserole is ideal for gathering everyone around the table for a warm, comforting meal.
Ingredients
Creating this incredible slow cooker chicken casserole requires simple, wholesome ingredients you likely have or can easily find.
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 boneless chicken thighs (trimmed of fat)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 brown onions (peeled and diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
- 3 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp celery salt
- 480 ml (2 cups) chicken stock
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 16-20 baby chestnut mushrooms
- 16-20 chantenay carrots
- 3 sticks celery (roughly chopped)
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) double (heavy) cream
- Small bunch parsley (chopped)
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adapt this chicken casserole recipe to suit your pantry and taste. Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs; just be mindful not to overcook them. Potatoes or leeks make great additions or replacements for carrots and celery. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding some diced bacon or pancetta during the searing step.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen items to make this delicious slow-cooked chicken recipe.
- Slow cooker (crockpot)
- Large frying pan or Dutch oven
- Chopping board and sharp knife
- Stirring spoons or spatulas
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a delightful slow cooker chicken casserole with ease. This method builds layers of flavor that make all the difference.
Sear Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the boneless chicken thighs and lightly brown them on both sides. This takes about 5 minutes, creating a delicious crust.
The browning process contributes to the Maillard reaction, which is essential for developing complex, savory flavors in your chicken.
Transfer Chicken: Once the chicken is lightly browned, remove it from the pan and carefully place it into your slow cooker. This locks in flavor.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the unsalted butter to the same pan and let it melt. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Build Sauce Base: Stir the plain flour, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and celery salt into the cooked aromatics. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously, to create a roux and remove the raw flour taste. This forms the base of your creamy chicken casserole sauce.
Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken stock and fresh lemon juice. Stir everything well, ensuring no lumps remain, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. This thickens the sauce slightly before it goes into the slow cooker.
Combine in Slow Cooker: Carefully pour the hot sauce mixture over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Add the baby chestnut mushrooms, chantenay carrots, and chopped celery. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
Slow Cook: Place the lid securely on your slow cooker. Cook the chicken casserole on a low heat setting for 5-6 hours, or on a high heat setting for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are soft.
Finish: Once cooked, use two forks to gently shred the chicken a little right in the slow cooker. Stir in the double (heavy) cream until fully incorporated and warmed through.
Serve: Ladle out generous portions of your creamy chicken casserole. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy this comforting meal, perhaps with a side of mashed potato.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving the best slow cooker chicken casserole is simple with these pointers.
- Browning is Key: Do not skip browning the chicken and sautéing the aromatics. This crucial step adds immense depth and develops rich, savory flavors.
- Perfect Sauce Consistency: If your sauce seems too thin at the end, make a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir it into the hot sauce and cook for 15 minutes on high until thickened.
Prevent Dry Chicken: Chicken thighs are forgiving, but avoid overcooking. Always check the internal temperature, which should be 165°F (74°C). The USDA recommends cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Oven Method: You can convert this into an oven-baked chicken casserole. After browning, combine everything in an oven-safe Dutch oven or casserole dish. Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 1.5-2 hours until the chicken is tender.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile slow cooker chicken casserole pairs well with many sides and is excellent for meal prep.
- Serving Suggestions: This creamy casserole is fantastic served over fluffy mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Steamed green beans or a crisp side salad complete the meal perfectly.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes well. Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It keeps for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment by adding a splash of dry white wine with the stock, or include other herbs like rosemary or sage. A pinch of smoked paprika offers a lovely smoky note.
- Vegetable Swaps: Beyond potatoes or leeks, consider adding parsnips, sweet potatoes, or even frozen peas (stirred in during the last 30 minutes of cooking) to your slow cooked chicken.
Nutrition Information
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for one serving of this hearty slow cooker chicken casserole.
| Per Serving (approx.) |
|---|
| Calories: 450 |
| Protein: 40g |
| Fat: 28g |
| Carbs: 15g |
| Fiber: 3g |
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
FAQ
Got questions about making this fantastic slow cooker chicken casserole? We have answers!
- Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs? Yes, absolutely! Chicken breast works well, but be careful not to overcook it, as it can dry out more easily than thighs.
- Can this casserole be made in the oven? Indeed. You can follow the initial searing steps, then combine everything in a Dutch oven and bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 1.5-2 hours.
- How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner? For a thicker sauce, make a cornstarch slurry and stir it in at the end. If it’s too thick, add a little extra chicken stock or cream.
- Can I add other vegetables to this recipe? Definitely! Potatoes, peas, corn, or parsnips are excellent additions. Add quicker-cooking vegetables like peas towards the end.
- How long does chicken casserole last in the fridge/freezer? It keeps well for up to 3 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer when stored properly.
Conclusion
This ultimate slow cooker chicken casserole is truly a game-changer for delicious, stress-free meals. Its combination of tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful sauce makes it an instant family favorite. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the comforting flavors this versatile slow-cooked chicken dish brings to your table.
The Ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- Large frying pan
- Slow cooker
- Lid
- Two forks
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 boneless chicken thighs (trimmed of fat)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 brown onions (peeled and diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (peeled and minced)
- 3 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp celery salt
- 480 ml chicken stock (2 cups)
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 16-20 baby chestnut mushrooms
- 16-20 chantenay carrots
- 3 celery sticks (roughly chopped)
- 60 ml double (heavy) cream (1/4 cup)
- small bunch parsley (chopped)
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, then brown chicken thighs for about 5 minutes until lightly colored before transferring them to the slow cooker.
- Add butter to the same pan and melt it, then cook the diced onions for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Mix in flour, salt, pepper, thyme, and celery salt, cooking for 2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken stock and lemon juice, stir, and bring the mixture to a boil, then transfer it into the slow cooker over the chicken.
- Add mushrooms, carrots, and celery to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Once cooked, slightly shred the chicken with two forks and stir in the double cream.
- Serve the casserole topped with fresh chopped parsley.