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!
WOW!!! This was amazing! I had thin chicken breast and cooked that in a fry pan with salt/pepper. No onion soup mix, used red onion on bottom and mixed a teaspoon of minced garlic in the cranberry/catalina, cooked on low for 3 hours. This would be great with turkey or pork as well. Thank you!
That sounds delicious!
I do a modified version of this.
Catalina Dressing
jellied cranberry sauce
1 bag frozen onion & pepper mix
1 can of chunk pineapples
8-10 chicken tenders – frozen.
I toss it all in the crock pot for 3 hours on high
make with a side white rice – it’s like a sweet & sour chicken dish.
That sounds so yummy!
I had seen the recipe on a PBS cooking show a couple of years ago but they used a boneless turkey breast but did not call for the catalina dressing, only the whole berry cranberry sauce and Lipton onion soup mix. No liquid is to be added. It makes its own gravy. You can also use chicken or a brisket. It is great to cook the turkey for Thanksgiving as it frees up the oven.
This would be delicious with boneless turkey breast!
I love this recipe! I first tasted it when a friend brought me this meal after I gave birth to my twins. Now I make it for new parents too.
We’ve nicknamed it “Baby Chicken” – every one loves it!
Aww… I love that name!
I make something like this to put over a pork roast. You mix one can of cranberry sauce, 1 Tbsp of rosemary, 1/2 cup of italian dressing and pour over the roast and cook it in the crock-pot all day. Delish!
That sounds amazing!
I make the same recipe but I also add some bacon to the crock pot for extra flavoring. I serve it with garlic mashed potatoes.
What a tasty addition!
one of our favorite crock pot meals -Chicken Stroganoff
3 or 4 boneless/skinless chicken breast
1 family size can of cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can (soup can) of milk
1 or 2 small cans of mushrooms pieces.
chicken on the bottom of the pot, mix the soup/milk and pour over chicken, add mushrooms pieces. Let cooks 6-7hours. Chicken will shred or fall apart. (if not shred it).
Serve over egg noodles or white rice w/ garlic bread.
My kids love it.
Amy – I was going to try this original recipe for the cranberry chicken, but was looking for a recent comment to see how people liked it after trying. Glad now I kept reading… your Chicken Stroganoff sounds good!! I was going to cook portobellos tonight!
Ooh ~ sounds delicious, Amy! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!!
~ Heidi 😉
Does the chicken need to be spiced at all
Hi Sara ~ the chicken does not need to be spiced… the seasoning/sauce mix will give it plenty of flavor. Enjoy!!
~ Heidi
You cook the chicken by itself in the crockpot?? Not with the sauce,correct? Wont the chicken burn on bottom?
Hi Sara ~ the juices from the chicken will keep it from burning. I like to add the sauce at the end, because then I can drain out all of the fat prior to adding the sauce. 😉
~ Heidi
Going to try this for tonights dinner! Cannot wait!
It’s SO yummy!