This Crockpot Cranberry Chicken is sweet, saucy, and sassy… just like you! With each bite, the holiday-glam flavors will make your mouth dance with joy! Just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, and dinner is done!
Prepare to be dazzled with the festive flavors of this merry crockpot cranberry chicken.
It’s so unbelievably amazing, the mere possibility of leftovers will make your heart flutter with joy!
Heather writes: "An absolutely delicious meal!!! Will be making again. And SO easy!"
With the perfect blend of sweet and savory, this cozy comfort food dish tastes just like home.
It also makes a fabulous addition to your holiday meals. The first time I experienced it was at a Christmas dinner at my Uncle and Aunt’s house… and it was love at first bite!
I personally love the simplicity of crockpot cooking, and this easy slow cooker cranberry chicken is one of our family’s favorite Slow Cooker Holiday Recipes. It ranks right up there with my Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing, Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Crock Pot Parmesan Garlic Chicken.
And… I’m pretty sure your family is going to LOVE it, too!
Seriously, this cranberry chicken crock pot dinner is my hubby’s most requested dish. Of all recipes we have, this is one he always goes CRAZY for!
The combination of tangy whole berry cranberries, flavor-packed dry onion soup mix, and sweet Catalina dressing, work together to create an unexpected 3 ingredient cranberry chicken sauce that is simply divine.
So do yourself a favor this week, when you create one of those unforgettable Chicken Dinner Recipes that solicits unexpected hugs and smiles galore…
Ingredients
It takes just a few simple ingredients to make the BEST crockpot cranberry chicken recipe!
First check your freezer, fridge, cupboards or pantry, then add the following to your next grocery list to make sure you’ve got everything on hand…
- Boneless Chicken Breasts – fresh or thawed if previously frozen.
- Catalina Dressing – to add a sweet and tangy flavor to your cranberry and chicken sauce.
- Cranberry Sauce – you’ll want to use the ‘Whole Berry’ variety.
- Dry Onion Soup Mix – this will balance out the sweetness, and add a deep savory flavor to the dish.
Like so many of my easy Fall Crockpot Recipes, you’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Crockpot to prepare your crock pot cranberry chicken.
How to Make Crockpot Cranberry Chicken
It’s actually SO simple to make this slow cooker chicken cranberry.
Just grab your slow cooker, and follow these simple steps…
1. Cook your chicken in your crockpot, and then drain and discard the juices.
2. Pour the cranberry chicken sauce mixture over your chicken and continue cooking.
3. Once done, serve it up and enjoy every last delightful bite!
That’s it, so simple. Just a few simple steps, and you’ve got one of those Easy Thanksgiving Recipes and Christmas Eve Ideas for Dinner that can rival even my wildly-popular Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce!
Scroll down for the printable crockpot cranberry chicken recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Variations – Cranberry Pork Chops
Want to change your crockpot cranberry chicken up a bit and indulge in some sweet and savory pork chops instead? Just follow these simple steps to create the most amazing 5 ingredient cranberry pork chops!
1. Use the ingredients listed below, plus a 14.5 ounce can of Chicken Broth. Then substitute 1.5 pounds of Boneless Center Cut Pork Loin Chops.
2. Pour the can of chicken broth into your Crockpot, then place the pork chops in next.
3. Cook for 3.5 hour on LOW heat before draining the juices and adding your Cranberry sauce.
4. Pour the sauce over the pork chops, and cook on LOW heat for 30 more minutes until done. Easy peasy!
Storage Tips
Leftovers of your crock pot cranberry chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat the next day for another easy weeknight meal!
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
You can enjoy a taste of Thanksgiving and Christmas anytime you serve this cranberry chicken with a side of my Fluffy Mashed Potatoes, topped with either my 10 minute Chicken Gravy Recipe or 10 minute Brown Gravy from Scratch.
Then, you can make this crockpot cranberry chicken even better when you pair it with some Baked Cheesy Cauliflower, and fresh or toasted bread topped with my Homemade Garlic Butter!
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this easy slow cooker cranberry chicken recipe…
Vickey writes: “Came out great! Easy and tasty.”
Naomi writes: “Yummy chicken dish and so easy. I made stove top dressing to go with this. Mmm mmm good”
Jana writes: “Yummy! Family really liked this.”
Bev writes: “This recipe is always a hit with our family. We give it 5 stars for sure.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shaw writes: “Very delicious. Served with mashed potatoes and it was a huge hit with everyone I’ve ever made it for.”
Marsha writes: “Made this one several times. Great recipe!!”
Linda writes: “This was absolutely delicious!”
Marlene writes: “Made this in the crockpot today. It was amazingly very good. The sauce was great with my mashed potatoes. Will absolutely make again.”
Patti writes: “Nice easy weeknight meal. I served it with jasmine rice and green beans for the side. It was a hit.”
Tabitha writes: “It’s always delish! We usually serve it with couscous.”
Margi writes: “We did it with rice. Everyone really liked it.”
Sandy writes: “It is so good! I take it out of the crockpot and brown the top of the chicken under the broiler for a few minutes. Great served over a bed of rice using the sauce spooned over the chicken with a simple green salad!”
Ashley writes: “I made this in the oven for dinner tonight and it was great! Everyone really liked it.”
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Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Crockpot Cranberry Chicken
Doubling Recipe Tip
If doubling or tripling recipe with buttons below, ingredient notes found after comma will not adjust. Increase ingredients as needed.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, fresh or thawed
- 14 ounces Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce, (1 can)
- 1 ounce Dry Onion Soup, (1 packet)
- 8 ounces Kraft Catalina Dressing, (Russian Dressing can be substituted)
Instructions
- Gather your crockpot cranberry chicken ingredients.
- Cook chicken in Crockpot on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours (covered).
- After 3 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW, drain juices from crockpot.
- Mix together Catalina Dressing, Cranberry Sauce and Dry Onion Soup Mix.
- Pour mixture over chicken, and cook on HIGH for 30 more minutes (covered), or until done.
Notes
- How To Store: Your slow cooker cranberry chicken leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat the next day for another easy weeknight meal!
- FAQ’s: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Hi Susan ~ yes… you’ll want to double the ingredients of the recipe if you’re making this with 8 chicken breasts. If you have a larger crock pot {slow cooker}, the timing for cooking the chicken may be pretty similar. You’ll just need to keep an eye on it. I have a large slow cooker, and often cook 7 chicken breasts at a time in it for the same length of time. 😉
~ Heidi
Russian dressing is not ranch, it’s a thousand island style.
Rebecca, I make my own onion soup mix.
I can’t wait to try this…it sounds so yummy!! Quick question tho, is Russian Dressing the same/similar to Ranch Dressing? I ask because my son is allergic to anything with Ranch flavoring…weird allergy, I know…LOL We hope he outgrows it. But I would love to try this recipe!! Thank you for sharing it with us!!
Catalina, to me is more like French, nothing like Ranch! We use Catalina as a stuffing with cream cheese to put in our celery sticks.
My daughter is also allergic to ranch!
Ranch dressing contains MSG. Maybe they are allergic to that. A lot of people are.
anyone know a good substitute for the dry onion soup mix? We have a milk allergy and we have a # of great recipes that call for the onion soup mix, which contains milk!
I’d love to try this!
Thanks!
Hi,
I would recommend using just dried onion that you can find in the spice aisle. My grocery store offers the fine onion powder and also onion flakes. I would suggest the flakes. Onion soup mix also has a LOT of salt, so you may want to add a dash of salt to the onion flakes.
Look for Kosher Pareve onion soup mix. Lipton makes one, Goodman’s & Osem. Lipton and Goodman’s will probably be the best choice for this recipe. There are many Kosher items that you can substitute that do not have dairy in them, just google kosher pareve items and you will find many distributors.
This looks like a great recipe! I love cooking in my crock pot this time of the year when things are starting to get really busy! Thank you for sharing it with us!!! 🙂
You’re very welcome!
Hi CC ~ I’ve used dark meat in this recipe before, however the sauce soaks into skinless meat the best. I’d just suggest removing the skin from the thighs or legs prior to cooking. I hope that tip helps! 😉
~ Heidi
How can I use chicken legs and thighs in this recipe? Just got some on sale and would like to try this recipe.
Hi Shauna ~ set your crock pot on high.
And… no water is needed ~ just cook the chicken in there by itself.
Later, you’ll drain the juices from the chicken and add in the sauce mixture.
Hope this helps!
~ Heidi
Should I set the temp on low or high for three hours? Do you add water to the chicken or just let it sit for three hours be itself?