There's something incredibly cozy about the aroma of creamy chicken and herb-seasoned stuffing slowly cooking all day. This Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe is exactly that kind of comfort food — effortless to make and surprisingly satisfying every time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can't tell you how many times this Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe has saved my dinner plans. It’s one of those meals that feels homemade and special but requires minimal effort — which is perfect in our busy lives.
- Easy one-pot cooking: Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic — no standing over the stove.
- Comfort in every bite: Creamy soups and buttery stuffing combine for that nostalgic, homey flavor you crave.
- Versatile and forgiving: You can easily swap veggies or adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker and preferences.
- Family-friendly: It’s a hit with kids and adults alike, making it a great go-to for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a starring role, bringing together creamy, savory, and fresh flavors that balance perfectly. Plus, these staples are easy to find and keep on hand, making this recipe all the more convenient.
- Carrots: They add a touch of natural sweetness and a nice color contrast; peeling and slicing them thin lets them cook tenderly in the crockpot.
- Broccoli florets: I love throwing in frozen broccoli for an easy veggie boost — but fresh works beautifully too if you prefer.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Thighs stay juicier and more forgiving, but breasts are lean and great if you want a lighter dish.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup: This adds rich umami flavor and creaminess that binds everything together.
- Condensed cream of chicken soup: Adds even more savory depth and helps keep the chicken moist.
- Water (or low-sodium chicken broth): I recommend broth for added flavor, but water works fine in a pinch.
- Dry Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Mix: The herb seasoning here is essential — it’s the star that elevates this dish beyond basic comfort food.
- Melted butter: Drizzling butter over the stuffing gives it a lovely golden richness as it cooks.
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance all the other flavors without overpowering.
Make It Your Way
While the classic version is wonderful on its own, I enjoy switching things up depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. You should totally feel free to tweak this Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe to your taste buds’ delight.
- Variation: I once swapped out the broccoli for green beans and added some dried cranberries on top for a festive twist — it was a hit at Thanksgiving!
- Diet-friendly: Use chicken breasts and low-fat cream soups to lighten it up while still keeping all the creamy goodness.
- Add extra herbs: Toss in fresh rosemary or thyme if you have them for a vibrant herbaceous note that pairs beautifully with the stuffing.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Crockpot and Veggies
I start by giving my slow cooker a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray — it really helps with cleanup later. Then, I peel and slice the carrots and layer them along with the broccoli at the bottom of the pot. This way, the veggies cook evenly and stay nice and tender.
Step 2: Season and Add the Chicken
Season the chicken thighs or breasts well with kosher salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Then nestle the chicken right on top of the veggies. This layering means the chicken juices drip down, flavoring the vegetables as everything cooks.
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Sauce and Pour
In a separate bowl, I whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, and either water or chicken broth to loosen it up. Pour this sauce evenly over the chicken. It’s what keeps everything luscious and tender during the slow cooking.
Step 4: Add the Stuffing and Butter
Sprinkle the dry herb-seasoned stuffing mix over the top in an even layer. Don’t be shy with it! Then drizzle the melted butter all over the stuffing — this little step is key to getting a beautifully golden, flavorful crust on top.
Step 5: Cook and Enjoy
Place the lid on your crockpot and let it cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or HIGH for about 2 to 3 hours. Keep in mind: slow cooker models vary, so checking around the lower end of those times is a good idea to avoid overcooking.
Top Tip
Through a few tries, I've learned that timing and layering really make all the difference with this dish. These tips have helped me nail that perfect creamy, yet textured, comfort classic.
- Layer veggies first: Putting carrots and broccoli at the bottom ensures they cook through and soak up amazing flavor without turning mushy.
- Don’t skip the butter drizzle: It might seem small, but the butter on top keeps the stuffing from drying out and adds richness.
- Check doneness early: Slow cookers vary a lot — start checking at your recipe’s minimum cook time to avoid drying out the chicken.
- Use thighs for extra juiciness: If you like really tender, juicy chicken, thighs are my go-to over breasts any day, especially for slow cooking.
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a handful of fresh chopped parsley or chives on top before serving — it adds a fresh pop of color and flavor that brightens the creamy richness of the dish.
Side Dishes
Since this meal is a one-dish wonder loaded with veggies and carbs, I often pair it with a crisp green salad or some roasted asparagus to add a little crunch and freshness to the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this in individual ramekins — layering veggies, chicken, sauce, and stuffing so each person gets their own perfectly portioned, beautiful little meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the meal, I let leftovers cool to room temperature, then store them in airtight containers in the fridge. They typically last about 3-4 days and taste just as delicious reheated.
Freezing
I've frozen this recipe before with good results — just portion it out, freeze in flat airtight containers or freezer bags, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave. For best texture, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 325°F until heated through to keep the stuffing nice and moist.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat. Just keep in mind breasts can dry out faster, so check for doneness a bit earlier and consider cooking on the low setting to keep them juicy.
If you want to avoid canned soups, you can make a quick homemade creamy sauce with chicken broth, a bit of flour or cornstarch for thickening, and sautéed mushrooms or chicken base for flavor. It won’t be exactly the same but still delicious and healthier.
Definitely! Feel free to add vegetables like green beans, peas, or sliced mushrooms. Just be mindful of cooking times as some veggies cook faster than others — adding quicker-cooking veggies like peas in the last hour works well.
The chicken should be cooked through and tender, with an internal temperature of at least 165°F (75°C). The stuffing will be soft but not mushy, and the vegetables tender. Depending on your slow cooker, cooking time may vary slightly, so checking around the minimum time is smart.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for those perfect days when I want a meal that’s fuss-free but feels like a warm hug. I hope you give it a try and see just how simple, cozy, and downright delicious slow cooker meals can be.
Print
Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing recipe combines tender chicken thighs with fresh vegetables, creamy soups, and flavorful herb-seasoned stuffing, all cooked together in a slow cooker to create a comforting and delicious meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 (12 ounce) bag frozen broccoli florets or about 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
Chicken
- 1 ½ - 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Sauces
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ¼ cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
Stuffing Topping
- 3 ½ cups (about 7.5 ounces) dry Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Mix
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Add Vegetables: Place the peeled and sliced carrots and broccoli florets at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a vegetable base.
- Season and Add Chicken: Season the chicken thighs or breasts with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste, then place them on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, and water or low-sodium chicken broth until smooth.
- Pour Sauce: Pour the combined soup mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables 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 layer.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 6 hours to ensure tender chicken and fully cooked stuffing. Alternatively, cook on HIGH for 3 hours, but LOW is recommended for best texture.
- Serve: Once cooked, fluff the stuffing gently and serve the chicken, vegetables, and stuffing hot.
Notes
- For best flavor and texture, use chicken thighs which remain moist after cooking.
- You can substitute fresh broccoli florets if preferred; just adjust quantity to about 4 cups.
- Low-sodium chicken broth can replace water to enhance flavor without adding too much salt.
- Cooking on LOW for 6 hours yields the best tenderness; avoid overcooking to prevent dry chicken.
- Nonstick spray will help with easy serving and cleanup of the slow cooker.
- Feel free to add herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra aroma.
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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