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, Dessert Crockpot Recipes 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 and 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 for Easy Keto Meal Prep, too!

Try some of these crockpot dinner recipes this week, then change things up and enjoy even more tasty fun when you try some easy High Protein 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?!?

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.

Colorful, chevron Crockpot.

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.

Chicken breasts in a 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.

Ribs with barbecue sauce and Coke in a slow cooker.

For pork, you’ll find tantalizing crockpot dinner recipes for ribs, pork chops and smokies.

With beef, you can’t go wrong with ground beef, meatballs and a tasty beef chuck 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 some good Side Dish Recipes to pair with your Chicken Dinner Recipes when you’re making one of the best crockpot recipes ever.

To start, you just can’t go wrong with baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, Potato Wedges, or some lovely Smashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese.

For more of a fresh flair, serve up some Cilantro Lime Rice alongside a fresh green salad topped with either Buttermilk Ranch Dressing or Balsamic Honey Salad Dressing.

Then… don’t forget the bread! I know you’ll love this sweet Skillet Cornbread and heavenly Sour Sourdough 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 slow cooker 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 Recipes Reviews

What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About These Cheap Easy Crockpot Recipes…

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 Crock Pot Meals

Chicken Crockpot Recipes:

Orange Chicken Crockpot Recipe
(4 Ingredients)

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

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken

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

Alfredo Tomato Sauce Chicken
(5 Ingredients)

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

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Crockpot Recipe
(3 Ingredients)

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

Buffalo Ranch Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

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

A&W Root Beer Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

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

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

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

Easy Recipe for Chicken Carbonara

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

Bacon and Ranch Chicken
(5 Ingredients)

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

Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken
(4 Ingredients)

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

Coke Chicken (3 Ingredients)

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

Cranberry Chicken Recipe (4 Ingredients)

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

Pepperoni Pizza Chicken
(4 Ingredients)

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

Marinara Sauce Chicken

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

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

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

Caesar Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

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

Spinach and 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.”

Chicken and Gravy Crock Pot Recipe
(4 Ingredients)

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

Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce Chicken
(3 Ingredients)

Eunice writes: “My kids’ favorite recipe.”

Crockpot Asian Chicken Recipes:

World’s Best Orange Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipes:

Whole Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Crock Pot Ham Recipes:

Crock Pot Ham Recipe

3 Ingredient Crockpot Ham

Slow Cooker Breads:

Crock Pot Monkey Bread

Pull Apart Garlic Bread

Appetizer Crockpot Recipes:

Holiday Chex Mix Recipe (Parmesan Ranch)

Crock Pot Breakfast

Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Crock Pot DIY

Christmas Simmer Pots

Other Crockpot Recipes

150 Crockpot Recipes for Fall

77 Christmas Crockpot Recipes

More Easy Dinner Recipes

10 Family One Pot Meals (Easy Dinners for Busy Nights)

21 Cheap and Easy Casserole Recipes

20 Best Fall Soup Recipes Ever

39 Cheap Meatless Recipes (Easy Meatless Monday Recipes)

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 Recipes Reviews

Chicken Crockpot Recipes:

Orange Chicken Crockpot Recipe (4 Ingredients)

Alfredo Tomato Sauce Chicken (5 Ingredients)

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Crockpot Recipe (3 Ingredients)

Buffalo Ranch Chicken (3 Ingredients)

A&W Root Beer Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Bacon and Ranch Chicken (5 Ingredients)

Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken (4 Ingredients)

Coke Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Cranberry Chicken Recipe (4 Ingredients)

Pepperoni Pizza Chicken (4 Ingredients)

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Caesar Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Chicken and Gravy Crock Pot Recipe (4 Ingredients)

Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce Chicken (3 Ingredients)

Crockpot Casserole Recipes:

Crockpot Asian Chicken Recipes:

World’s Best Orange Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Crockpot Mexican Chicken Recipes:

Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipes:

Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks Recipes:

Chicken Wings Recipes:

Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipes:

Crockpot Ribs:

Easy Crock Pot Pork Chop Recipes:

Little Smokies Recipes: