201 Easy Crockpot Recipes for Busy Nights!

Go ahead and say goodbye to boring dinners… because this colossal list of Easy Crockpot Recipes is about to supercharge your week with outrageous flavors! And it’s going to happen almost effortlessly, right in your unassuming slow cooker! Who knew dinner could taste SO amazing on a busy night?

Easy Crockpot Recipes

With so many slow cooker sensations to choose from, you’re about to discover that a Crock Pot infatuation is a real thing.

As in an all year long, every single day kind of infatuation!

Debbie writes: "I have tried several of these and they are amazing!"

These easy dinner crockpot recipes are all about BIG flavors and hardly any kitchen cleanup!

And these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights and holidays alike.

What you’ve got here are loads of delicious dinners, soups, sides, appetizer crockpot recipes, crockpot desserts and drinks… that are all designed to put giant smiles on everyone’s faces!

Plus, they’re all made the easy way…

Using a slow cooker and hardly any ingredients!

Trust me, these recipes are certainly not pretentious, but they are shockingly good!

Talk about choices, choices… and more delicious choices!

And for these quick & easy crockpot recipes, go ahead and leave your sleeves rolled down. They require so little effort, you’ll be done almost before you begin.

But when your food is hot and ready… just brace yourself!

This kind of cooking has a way of attracting giant bear hugs of gratitude… and some amazing leftovers, too!

Try some of these free crockpot recipes this week, then change things up and enjoy even more tasty fun when you try some easy Instant Pot Recipes next week!

So start scrolling and start dreaming… because it’s time to find the fabulous flavors you’ll be filling your slow cooker with tonight!

Who knew becoming a Crock Pot Superstar could be so easy?!?

Related: 35 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Nights!

What’s The Difference Between a Crockpot and a Slow Cooker?

If you were to head to Walmart, Target or your local grocery store today to shop for a new Crock Pot or Slow Cooker, you would find that there really is very little difference.

They both work essentially the same.

The main differences you’ll notice will be the different sizes and features available.

What Size of Slow Cooker Should I Buy?

The best way to choose the Slow Cooker or Crock Pot that will work best for you, is to consider what you will want to prepare in it.

Are you preparing a crockpot recipe for the whole family? Or are you cooking for just one or two people?

If cooking just for two or making drinks, use a 4 quart slow cooker.
For small crockpot recipes like dips, use a 2 quart slow cooker.
For most family sized crockpot dinner recipes, you will want a 5.5 – 6 quart slow cooker.
Then for larger items like racks of pork ribs, get a 7 – 8 quart slow cooker.

Can You Put Raw Meat in a Slow Cooker?

Yes you can!

In fact, this is how you will prepare all of my chicken crockpot recipes below. With these easy crockpot recipes for beginners, you’ll only need a Crock Pot.

No other pots and pans are required!

What Are the Best Meats for Slow Cooking?

You’ll love preparing chicken, pork and beef in your slow cooker.

For chicken, you can use almost any cut.

This includes boneless skinless chicken, drumsticks, wings and even whole chickens.

For pork, you’ll find tantalizing recipes on this list for ribs, pork chops and smokies in the Crockpot.

With beef, you can’t go wrong with ground beef, meatballs and a tasty roast.

Keep reading for my huge list of chicken, pork and beef slow cooker recipes below.

How Long Does Cooked Boneless Chicken Last In Fridge?

So how long can you keep cooked chicken in the fridge?

Well, it’s best if eaten within 3 days.

If you would like it to last longer, you could transfer it to a freezer safe container or freezer bag, and store for 3 months.

What Is A Good Side For Chicken?

It really is so easy to find a good side dish recipe to pair with your chicken dinner when you’re making one of the best crockpot recipes ever.

If you haven’t already, give some of these tasty sides a try…

Chipotle Copycat Cilantro Lime Rice
Baked Potatoes
Loaded Smashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Seasoned Potato Wedges (Jo Jo’s)
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Potato or Macaroni Salad
Skillet Cornbread
French Bread
Sourdough Bread
Dinner Rolls
Rosemary Dutch Oven Bread

Crock Pot Meals – Fun Outside Cooking Hack!

Who said Crockpots are just for Fall and Winter?? easy and cheap crockpot recipes are the perfect solution for hot summer days too!

I adore my Crockpot far too much to put it away for summer. It’s a best friend year round!

So put the flavor back into your Summer Dinners and even some summer parties when you make these easy crockpot recipes for beginners all year long!

Rather than melting over the stove this summer, just dump your dinners in your Crock Pot, and walk away!

These simple and delicious 3 hour crockpot recipes for busy families will give you plenty of time to enjoy the lazy days of summer and warm nights with friends and family!

Note: You can even plug your Crockpot in outside in the summer to keep your kitchen cool. That’s right ~ find your outdoor outlet, and plug that baby in! 😉

Easy Crockpot Recipe Reviews

What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About These Easy Crockpot Meals…

Nida writes: “I love all the awesome recipes you share, especially since they are so easy to make!”

Debbie writes: “I have tried several of these and they are amazing!”

Kim writes: “You make crockpot meals so easy! Thanks”

Rebecca writes: “Love all of your easy dinner ideas. You do such a great job at helping us save time and money on dinner.”

5 Ingredient Crockpot Recipes

Crockpot Chicken Recipes

Easy Crockpot Orange Chicken
(4 Ingredients)

Candy writes: “I made this for company and we all enjoyed it very much!”

Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe

Michelle writes: “All I can say is wow! The family loved it and decided it will be a keeper!”

Crockpot Tomato Alfredo Chicken Recipe
(5 Ingredients)

Erika writes: “So amazing, so good, and delicious”

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Crock Pot Recipe
(3 Ingredients)

Brian writes: “Excellent quick and easy prep dinner. A tasty no brainer.”

Easy Crockpot Buffalo Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

Jacqui writes: “Love this! My go to recipe for buffalo chicken. Always a hit!”

Crockpot Root Beer Barbecue Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

Carol writes: “Super easy! Directions and cooking times are perfect. Super tender chicken, yum!”

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Michelle writes: “Delicious savory comfort food. Didn’t change a thing. Will be adding to my dinner rotation even in the Florida summer heat.”

Slow Cooker Alfredo Chicken with Bacon (Chicken Carbonara)

Lisa writes: “This is such a great dinner for busy weeknights!”

Bacon Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Recipe
(5 Ingredients)

Sharon writes: “Just had this for supper – it was delicious”

Crockpot BBQ Bacon Ranch Chicken Recipe
(4 Ingredients)

Kathye writes: “This is a family favorite & so easy.”

Easy Crockpot BBQ Coca Cola Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

Amy writes: “Made this a couple of times and it’s been a huge hit!!”

Easy Crockpot Cranberry Chicken
(4 Ingredients)

Jana writes: “Yummy! Family really liked this.”

Crock Pot Pepperoni Chicken
(4 Ingredients)

Ginny writes: “Yummy – this one’s a keeper!

Crock Pot Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe

Autumn writes: “Love this recipe, one of my favorites.”

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Recipe
(3 Ingredients)

Ariane writes: “My husband could not get enough of this. We LOVED it!!!”

Crock Pot Caesar Chicken Recipe
(3 Ingredients)

Lisa writes: “Our family loves it with bow tie noodles and a salad.”

Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Jessica writes: “This was amazing! We have a permanent family favorite. To find a meal all 4 kids love is no easy feat.”

Crockpot Country Style Chicken Recipe
(4 Ingredients)

Nikki writes: “Simple, easy, cheap and yummy.”

Crockpot Dr. Pepper BBQ Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

Eunice writes: “My kids’ favorite recipe.”

Orange Cranberry Chicken Recipe (Crock Pot)

Crockpot Casserole Recipes

Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole

Lauren writes: “I love how easy this is! Broccoli cheese casserole is one of my favorite dinners, and this makes it so much simpler!”

Crockpot Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

Christi writes: “Soooo good!”

Crockpot Asian Chicken Recipes:

World’s Best Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe!

Easy Crockpot Mexican Chicken Recipes

Crockpot Chicken Tacos Recipe (Taco Tuesday Everyday)

Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipes

Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipe with Homemade Seasoning Mix

Best Crockpot BBQ Whole Chicken

Crockpot Ranch Onion Whole Chicken

Easy Crockpot Santa Fe Whole Chicken Recipe

Crockpot BBQ Cola Drumsticks Recipe (with Root Beer)

Crockpot BBQ Coca-Cola Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Crock Pot Cola Drumsticks Recipe (BBQ Dr. Pepper)

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken Legs Recipe

Easy Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks

Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipes

Crockpot BBQ Coca-Cola Pulled Pork Recipe

Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe (BBQ Dr. Pepper)

Pulled Pork Tacos

Lemon Garlic Pork Chops Recipe (Crock Pot)

Crock Pot Ham Recipes

Maple Crock Pot Ham Recipe

Easy Crockpot Ham

Crockpot Beef Recipes Easy

Crockpot BBQ Coca-Cola Kielbasa Recipe

Crock Pot Kielbasa BBQ Ranch

Easy Grape Jelly Kielbasa Recipe (Slow Cooker Idea)

Crock Pot Beef Fajitas Recipe (Quick Prep)

Crockpot Beef Tacos Recipe

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe (Crock Pot)

Easy Turkey Crockpot Recipes

Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Easy Crock Pot Soups

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Easy Crockpot Taco Soup Recipe (Quick Prep)

Easy Crock Pot Breads

Easy Crockpot Monkey Bread

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Easy Crock Pot Potatoes

Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes Recipe (Slow Cooker Casserole)

Easy Crock Pot Veggies ::

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn Recipe (Southern Style)

Easy Crock Pot Snacks and Dips

Crock Pot Chex Mix Recipe (Parmesan Ranch)

Crock Pot Breakfast

Easy Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Crock Pot DIY

DIY Cinnamon Air Freshener

Other Crockpot Recipes

33 Delicious Dip Recipes with Few Ingredients

150 Fall Crockpot Recipes

77 Christmas Crockpot Recipes

More Easy Dinner Recipes

17 One Pot Meals! (Easy Dinners for Busy Nights)

21 Easy Casserole Recipes for Easy Meal Planning!

21 Best Soup Recipes Ever! (Cozy Homemade Soups to Warm You Up)

40 Meatless Meals (Easy Meatless Monday Recipes)

101 Easy Meal Prep Ideas

35 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Nights

So what are your favorite easy crockpot recipes to make for busy nights?

Share with us in the comments below!

30 Comments

Angelica says:

January 18, 2016 at 11:41 am

Do I add water or anything to the chicken while I cook it or just put the chicken in there by its self?

1. Heidi says:
  
  January 18, 2016 at 11:49 am
  
  Hi Angelica ~ it just depends on what the specific recipe calls for, but if it says to just ‘cook the chicken in the crockpot’, you’ll just cook the chicken alone in the crockpot for the first portion as it will end up cooking in its own juices that it releases. Hope that helps! 🙂
  
  1. Angelica says:
    
    January 18, 2016 at 12:07 pm
    
    OK thanks so much
    
Heidi says:

January 6, 2016 at 4:05 pm

Aww ~ thanks, Mel… enjoy the recipes!! Nothing beats the ease of crock pot cooking! 🙂

Kitten says:

January 5, 2016 at 10:35 am

I love your ideas and have a handful printed out to try. I love using the crockpot and one would think being married for 25 years I would know how to use one, which I do, but feel like I don’t use it right. I make mostly roasts in the crock pot but feel like they are dry EACH time. I leave for work at 8:30am so I have to turn it on before I leave and I get home at 6pm. Even though I set the timer to only cook for a certain amount of time, I feel like even on “warm” the crockpot is still cooking my roast and drying it out. Do you have any tips? I would love anyones suggestions. My father tried to tell me how to devise a “timer” kind of thing to plug it in to so that it could start later in the day, but I am very reluctant… Thank you in advance.

David Kemp says:

December 8, 2015 at 11:28 pm

What size crockpot you use in your recipes?

1. David Kemp says:
  
  December 8, 2015 at 11:28 pm
  
  I have a 4 quart and 6 quart.
  
  1. Heidi says:
    
    December 9, 2015 at 9:00 am
    
    Hi David ~ I most often use my 5.5 quart crockpot… so your 6 quart should work great for these! If a recipe requires a smaller or larger size, I always try to specify that in the instructions as well. Hope that helps! 🙂
    
Andrea Montgomery says:

November 10, 2015 at 10:20 am

I made the taco soup and it was so delicious. I have been cooking along time but only cooked side dishes in my crockpot. My husband and daughter loved it after they talked me! LOL! Thank you so much for the recipe and I will be making the chili mac and cheese tonight. Thanks Frugalgals!!

1. Heidi says:
  
  November 16, 2015 at 3:32 pm
  
  You’re very welcome, Andrea… I’m so glad your family loved it!! 🙂
  
Sherry says:

November 3, 2015 at 1:19 pm

How do I find the recipes. Just see pictures of the ingredients but no actual recipes.

1. Heidi says:
  
  November 3, 2015 at 1:21 pm
  
  Hi Sherry ~ just tap on the pictures, and you’ll be taken to each individual recipe. ENJOY! 🙂
  
alan says:

October 23, 2015 at 11:16 am

wheres the pork chop crockpot recipes its all chicken

1. Kandi says:
  
  October 29, 2015 at 10:31 am
  
  I was looking for pork chop recipes too! I was wondering if I could substitute the pulled pork for pork chop but modify the time. I hope they add some in the future.
  
  1. Heidi says:
    
    November 3, 2015 at 1:22 pm
    
    Hi Alan and Kandi… we have several delicious Crock Pot Pork Chop recipes posting soon. Stay tuned!! 🙂
    
Barbara says:

September 25, 2015 at 1:59 pm

I am a single woman and would like to know more about using a small crock pot for my self. Is there a crock pot recipe book for one to two people that I can buy?

Barbara Toothman says:

September 1, 2015 at 5:18 pm

Thank you so much for the recipes. I have been managing dinners after working long hours for years. You have some outstanding ideas and it has inspired me. I very rarely, if ever, comment but I feel inclined to do so. Even though I am required to leave my email and such….which I am reluctant to do also, I am just excited about having some different ways, I hadn’t heard of, to use the crockpot.. It alleviates some of the extra work to making meals by using your many fabulous ideas. Some ingredients I would not use because of diet constraints, however, I can substitute other items. Thanks again! You gals should be called the “Fabulous Frugal Gals”!

1. Heidi says:
  
  September 1, 2015 at 7:01 pm
  
  Aww ~ thanks so much for the sweet comment, Barbara… you just made my day!! I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the recipes and crockpot inspiration. 🙂 Happy cooking!
  
Amber says:

August 28, 2015 at 2:01 pm

I also love my crockpot, thank you for all these wonderful recipes! I have a tip for you (you may already know). A while back at the grocery store I discovered the BEST invention ever! Crockpot liners! One of the things I dislike about using my crockpot was the clean up. Now you just pull out the liner, throw it away, wipe out the crockpot and its good to go! LOVE IT!

1. Heidi says:
  
  August 31, 2015 at 6:56 pm
  
  Thanks for the fabulous tip, Amber!! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Crockpot recipes! 🙂

Easy Crockpot Recipes

What’s The Difference Between a Crockpot and a Slow Cooker?

What Size of Slow Cooker Should I Buy?

Can You Put Raw Meat in a Slow Cooker?

What Are the Best Meats for Slow Cooking?

How Long Does Cooked Boneless Chicken Last In Fridge?

What Is A Good Side For Chicken?

Crock Pot Meals – Fun Outside Cooking Hack!

Easy Crockpot Recipe Reviews

Crockpot Chicken Recipes

Easy Crockpot Orange Chicken (4 Ingredients)

Crockpot Tomato Alfredo Chicken Recipe (5 Ingredients)

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Crock Pot Recipe (3 Ingredients)

Easy Crockpot Buffalo Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Crockpot Root Beer Barbecue Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Slow Cooker Alfredo Chicken with Bacon (Chicken Carbonara)

Bacon Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Recipe (5 Ingredients)

Crockpot BBQ Bacon Ranch Chicken Recipe (4 Ingredients)

Easy Crockpot BBQ Coca Cola Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Easy Crockpot Cranberry Chicken (4 Ingredients)

Crock Pot Pepperoni Chicken (4 Ingredients)

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Recipe (3 Ingredients)

Crock Pot Caesar Chicken Recipe (3 Ingredients)

Crockpot Country Style Chicken Recipe (4 Ingredients)

Crockpot Dr. Pepper BBQ Chicken (3 Ingredients)