Just picture this: tender chicken nestled on a bed of veggies, all smothered in creamy soup and topped with buttery, herb-seasoned stuffing that gets perfectly crisp in the slow cooker. That’s exactly what the Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe delivers—a cozy, effortless meal that fills your kitchen with the best kind of smells.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals, especially on busy days. What’s great is how everything cooks all together, so the flavors meld beautifully without any fuss from you. Plus, the stuffing on top adds that perfect crunchy texture that feels like a warm hug.
- Effortless Cooking: Just layer the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do all the work while you relax or tackle your day.
- Delicious Flavor Combo: The mix of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups keeps the chicken juicy and infuses the vegetables with a savory richness.
- Perfect Texture: The herb-seasoned stuffing topping bakes right on top, delivering crispy edges and soaking up all the tasty juices.
- Family Friendly: This recipe pleases all ages and is easy to customize for whatever you have on hand or prefer.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a key role in making this Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe so comforting and flavorful. Most of the pantry staples are easy to find and work together to create a creamy, savory base with a lovely veggie crunch and soft, juicy chicken.
- Carrots: Adding sweetness and color, they hold up well in the slow cooker and add a gentle bite underneath the chicken.
- Broccoli Florets: Whether fresh or frozen, broccoli adds a pop of green nutrition and soaks up the delicious sauce beneath the chicken.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Thighs stay juicier with slow cooking, but breasts work fine too if you prefer leaner meat.
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Brings that earthy depth to the sauce and keeps everything luscious.
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds a savory richness that complements the mushroom soup beautifully.
- Water or Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Just enough liquid to keep things moist and help everything cook evenly without watering it down.
- Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Mix: This is the crowning glory—herbaceous, buttery, and crisps up beautifully on top.
- Butter (Melted): Drizzled over the stuffing to give it that golden crisp and extra flavor punch.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring everything into balance.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often switch up the veggies based on what’s in my fridge or what’s on sale—sometimes swapping broccoli for green beans, other times tossing in mushrooms or corn to mix it up. Have fun making it yours!
- Variation: I once added some dried cranberries to the stuffing topping for a little tangy surprise that my family couldn’t stop talking about.
- Dietary Modifications: For a dairy-free version, try coconut cream soup alternatives and use olive oil instead of butter on the stuffing.
- Seasonal Changes: In fall, a pinch of sage or thyme in the soup mix amps up that cozy roasted flavor perfectly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Veggie Base
Start by spraying your slow cooker pot with nonstick spray—that little step saves you from sticky mess later. Peel and slice your carrots, then pop them in first followed by the broccoli florets. I like to layer these evenly for good heat distribution.
Step 2: Season and Layer the Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle them generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken over the bed of veggies, giving each piece a little space so they cook evenly.
Step 3: Mix and Pour the Creamy Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and water (or broth). Pour this smooth mixture gently over the chicken and veggies, covering everything evenly but without stirring—let the slow cooker work its magic.
Step 4: Top with Stuffing and Butter
Sprinkle the dry stuffing mix right on top of the chicken layer. Then drizzle the melted butter over the stuffing so it gets gloriously crispy. Resist the urge to stir everything together at this point—this topping needs room to bake up beautifully.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Pop the lid on and set your slow cooker to LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the stuffing is golden and crisp on top. If you have time, low and slow always yields the best texture.
Top Tip
I learned the hard way that layering matters! Putting the veggies on the bottom and the chicken in the middle ensures everything cooks evenly and the chicken stays juicy. Also, don’t skip drizzling that melted butter on top of the stuffing—that’s the secret to that irresistible golden crust.
- Layering Counts: Veggies underneath the chicken trap moisture without making the stuffing soggy.
- Don’t Stir the Stuffing: Leave it on top to crisp; stirring in will just make it mushy.
- Use Thighs for Moisture: If you use breasts, watch the cooking time carefully to avoid drying out.
- Check Early: Since slow cookers vary, check the chicken 30 minutes before minimum time to avoid overcooking.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme leaves for a fresh, herbaceous pop that contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce and crispy stuffing. A little cracked black pepper on top brightens the flavors right before serving.
Side Dishes
Since this recipe is a full meal on its own with veggies and starch, I often serve it alongside a crisp green salad or steamed green beans to add a fresh crunch. Roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple cucumber salad also pair wonderfully for a little brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve served this Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe in individual ramekins with a tiny sprig of rosemary on top. It makes for a cozy presentation that guests really appreciate. You can also portion it over mashed potatoes for a hearty bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers I have get stored in an airtight container in the fridge within two hours of cooking. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it perfect for next-day lunches or quick dinners. Just don’t leave it out too long before refrigerating to keep everything safe and tasty.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe a few times with good results. Just portion it into freezer-safe containers and make sure it’s fully cooled before freezing. When you thaw it overnight in the fridge, the texture remains nice—though the stuffing will soften a bit compared to fresh.
Reheating
To reheat, I usually use the oven or toaster oven at 350°F to bring back some crispness to the stuffing—about 15-20 minutes covered with foil, then uncovered for the last few minutes. The microwave works fine too but might leave the topping less crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can use frozen chicken, but I recommend thawing it overnight if possible to ensure even cooking in the slow cooker. If you’re short on time, increase the cooking time slightly and check the internal temperature carefully to be sure it’s fully cooked.
If you prefer homemade or need a dairy-free option, you can make a simple creamy base using coconut milk combined with a bit of chicken broth and thickened with cornstarch or flour. There are also many store-bought dairy-free creamy soups available that work well as substitutes.
Avoid stirring the stuffing into the liquid. Sprinkle it on top of the cooked chicken and drizzle melted butter over it so it crisps up in the slow cooker. Also, keeping the veggies at the bottom traps moisture away from the stuffing layer.
You can! Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to avoid overcrowding, which can affect cooking times. You might need to increase the cooking time slightly, especially on low heat. It’s a great way to feed more people or have leftovers.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe has earned a permanent spot in my rotation because it’s truly one of those stick-to-your-ribs meals that feels like homemade love with minimal effort. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it's one of those recipes that invites cozy evenings and full hearts around the table. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back for that buttery, savory goodness.
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing recipe combines tender chicken thighs or breasts, hearty vegetables, creamy mushroom and chicken soups, and herb-seasoned stuffing mix cooked slowly to perfection for a warm, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 (12 ounce) bag frozen broccoli florets (or sub with about 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets)
Protein
- 1 ½ - 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
Soup and Liquid
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ¼ cup water (or sub with low-sodium chicken broth)
Other Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups (about 7.5 ounces) dry Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Mix
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the peeled and sliced carrots along with the broccoli florets at the bottom of the slow cooker to form a vegetable base.
- Season and Add Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. Place the seasoned chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Mix Sauces: In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, and ¼ cup of water or low-sodium chicken broth. Pour this creamy sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Add Stuffing and Butter: Sprinkle the dry Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Mix evenly over the top of the chicken and sauce. Drizzle the melted butter over the stuffing to help it brown and add flavor.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 6 hours to allow flavors to meld and chicken to become tender, or cook on HIGH for 3 hours if short on time. Ensure the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
Notes
- This recipe is ideal for a comforting, hearty meal perfect for cooler weather or when you want an easy make-ahead dinner.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth instead of water to enhance the flavor without adding excess salt.
- If using fresh broccoli, cut it into florets about the size of the frozen ones and add them at the start of cooking.
- Feel free to substitute chicken thighs or breasts depending on your preference; thighs offer more moisture and flavor.
- Melted butter over the stuffing helps it develop a nice golden crust and adds richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅙ of the recipe
- Calories: 854 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 2501 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 121 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
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