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    Home » Chicken

    27 Old-Fashioned Dump-and-Cook Chicken Meals Anyone Can Pull Off

    Published: Jun 24, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Cooking can be simple and satisfying, especially when it comes to chicken dinners that require minimal effort. These 26 dump-and-cook recipes are perfect for busy nights, allowing you to throw everything together and let the oven do the work. With flavors that remind you of Grandma's kitchen, these meals are sure to please the whole family.

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines tender chicken with a mix of vegetables and seasonings for a comforting meal that's sure to please everyone. It's an easy option that you can just throw together and enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Autumn Chicken

    Slow Cooker Autumn Chicken Dinner.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chicken dinner is a simple and healthy one-pot meal. Chicken thighs, onions, and sweet potatoes cook together nicely for a satisfying dish.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

    BBQ chicken thighs are simple to prepare, as you just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker. They can be served as whole pieces or shredded for delicious BBQ chicken sandwiches, making them great for weeknight dinners.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This slow cooker recipe is full of flavor and perfect for family dinners. It's an easy dish that you can just throw together and enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a cozy dish that's simple to prepare. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs

    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This dish features crispy, juicy chicken thighs that are cooked to perfection. With just four simple ingredients, you can whip this up easily.

    Get the Recipe

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken
    Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

    Maple Dijon Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner option. It features tender chicken baked alongside butternut squash, purple potatoes, and broccoli all on one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow cooker pineapple chicken combines tender chicken with bell peppers, onion, and garlic in a delicious pineapple sauce. This dish offers a sweet and savory flavor that brings a taste of the tropics to your table.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is super simple to prepare. Just spend 10 minutes getting it ready, then let it cook on its own for a hearty meal filled with veggies in less than 45 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    A simple yet flavor-packed dinner that makes an easy weeknight meal or Sunday dinner. This classic Italian dish is cooked low and slow and can be served over pasta, polenta or mashed potatoes.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is a simple and tasty crockpot meal that combines tender chicken with onion soup mix, apricot preserves, and Russian dressing for a sweet and tangy flavor. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked Chicken Thighs are simple to make and packed with flavor, coming out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They're generously seasoned with garlic and herbs for a delicious meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

    Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken cooked in a flavorful mix of tomatoes and garlic, finished off with melted mozzarella cheese. This dish brings a taste of Italy right to your table.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the classic enchilada flavors in a simple layered dish. With corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and red enchilada sauce, it's a comforting meal that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features tender chicken cooked in a rich paprika sauce with garlic and onion. It's a simple and tasty option for a cozy dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This creamy soup is a great comfort food that's simple to prepare with just six ingredients. It's an ideal dinner option for busy families.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a tasty meal that comes together in less than 45 minutes. With a rich tomato sauce made from fresh ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan Chicken Bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish packed with flavor. With chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach combined with pasta in a rich coconut milk and cheese sauce, this is a good dinner for busy nights or a cozy weekend.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata

    Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata features a tasty mix of lemon, chicken broth, capers, and dijon mustard that everyone in the family will enjoy. With just a little prep and a few hours in the slow cooker, this dish will be ready to serve for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping to begin, you can enjoy a delicious meal of chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked together in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole is filled with creamy chicken, mixed vegetables, and topped with crispy tater tots. It's perfect for busy nights, and you can either freeze it for later or bake it right away to enjoy a comforting meal that everyone will like.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This recipe combines canned soups and ready-made rice mixes for a quick and easy meal. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want some comforting food without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Southwest Chicken Chili

    Crock Pot Southwest Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Happy Simple Living.

    Southwest Chicken Chili is a family favorite that's super easy to make in a slow cooker. It combines tender chicken with a spicy broth, corn, tomatoes, chipotle chiles, and two types of beans.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

    Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This simple cranberry chicken dish uses just four ingredients: chicken breasts, French onion soup mix, French onion dressing, and cranberry sauce. It's an easy meal that you can throw together and enjoy without much effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Simple chicken breasts become a delicious balsamic chicken with just a few ingredients. The combination of balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and garlic creates a dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This easy Crockpot meal is perfect for family dinners during the week and special occasions alike, featuring tender chicken in a rich garlic cream sauce. It pairs well with pasta or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole combines the tasty flavors of chicken fajitas into an easy baked meal. It includes healthy black beans and quinoa, and you can mix everything right in the baking dish without any extra cooking.

    Get the recipe

    More Chicken

    • Nashville hot chicken sandwich.
      22 Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Meals Anyone Can Pull Off
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      21 Simple Crockpot Chicken Dinners Anyone Can Pull Off
    • BBQ chicken wings.
      21 Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes That Do All the Work for You
    • French mustard chicken.
      25 Easy Budget Chicken Recipes Anyone Can Make
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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