These 17 set it and forget it slow cooker meals practically cook themselves

Photo of author

| Published:

Wouldn’t we all love to have a personal chef? Well, if you’ve got a slow cooker in your kitchen, you almost do. With most slow cooker meals, you dump the ingredients, set the timer and get on with your day. Check out these 17 slow cooker meals that practically cook themselves.

A person eating shredded chicken with a fork, served on a white plate with roasted sweet potatoes in the background.
Pork Loin in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Plate of chicken with a creamy sauce, served with potatoes and carrots, garnished with parsley.
Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe for Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken is such a classic. It has only six ingredients and includes those easily found in your pantry or refrigerator. Just dump in the Crock Pot and get on with your day.
Get the Recipe: Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast

A loaf of sliced bread, a butter dish with a stick of butter, a bowl of eggs, a small jug of milk, a small jar of jam, and a dish of brown sugar arranged on a table.
Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe is called Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast but you can set it in the morning and then have breakfast for dinner that evening — almost as if you had a chef making it for you.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast

Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini

Close-up of tortellini pasta cooking in a creamy yellow sauce with pieces of chicken, stirred by a wooden spoon.
Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

With this Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini recipe, it’s like you have an Italian chef working for you. First you’ll cook the chicken thighs in the alfredo sauce. Then you’ll add the tortellini.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini

Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Two cooked chicken thighs on a red dish, a bowl of cherry tomatoes behind, and a slow cooker in the background.
Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

When I talk about making fried chicken in my slow cooker, the word “fried” is a euphemism. I’m not really frying anything. However, the end result tastes like fried chicken yet you barely lifted a finger to make it.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Pork Loin in the Crock Pot

A person eating shredded chicken with a fork, served on a white plate with roasted sweet potatoes in the background.
Pork Loin in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

It’s always the perfect time of year to pull out our slow cooker and make a meal. With this Pork Loin in the Crock Pot recipe, once the pork is done, we can shred it like pulled pork and serve it with our favorite sides.
Get the Recipe: Pork Loin in the Crock Pot

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

A bowl of rice and chicken in front of a crockpot.
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot chicken is ideal for busy weeknights. The only effort you’ll make is firing up your rice cooker so you can serve it over brown or white rice or even quinoa.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

You won’t even have to get out a pastry brush to coat the chicken legs in barbecue sauce. When you add them plus that aforementioned BBQ sauce to the Crock Pot, your slow cooker does all the work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Ramen is a one-pot wonder with a new level of convenience. Toss in the ingredients, set it and forget it, and return to a bowl of steaming, flavorful ramen, almost as if your personal chef made it for you.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

A fork is being used to take a bite of pasta out of an instant pot.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Sometimes slow cooking is synonymous with comfort food. It’s always synonymous with convenience. With this Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne, you’ll discover a delish dish of ground beef, tomato sauce, pasta and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Closeup of Slow Cooker beef with egg noodles.
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Even a cheap cut of beef you got on sale will become tender and delicious after simmering in your slow cooker all day. Pair with noodles for an easy dinner that won’t bust your budget.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Garlic Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

There’s no need for takeout when you can make this honey garlic chicken at home right in the slow cooker. With a sticky, sweet, addicting sauce, it is sure to become a family favorite and one that is so easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

Chicken in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.
Slow cooker honey mustard chicken. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

This is a busy weeknight’s best friend, even if you don’t have a personal chef. With just a few ingredients, this slow cooker honey mustard chicken is cooked to perfection in a sweet and tangy glaze.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

A crock pot full of chicken and vegetables.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Want to eat whole30 without the whole30 price tag? Then set up this Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken in your Crock Pot before work tomorrow for a terrific dinner that will be waiting for you, no personal chef required.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

A bowl of beef and broccoli with rice and sesame seeds.
Slow cooker beef and broccoli. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli recipe has a bunch of things going for it. Primarily, the ease of making it but also a way to enjoy a Chinese dish if you’re eating gluten free and can’t afford to hire a personal chef.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Dairy- and Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken and peas in a crock pot with a wooden spoon.
Slow cooker chicken pot pie. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Dump everything from the freezer — frozen peas, frozen carrots, frozen chicken — into the slow cooker crock for a dairy-free chicken pot pie that has all the traditional flavor with a healthy, gluten-free twist.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

A crock pot full of sausage, peppers, and marinara sauce.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

It’s hard to beat this Crock Pot dinner recipe for Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. Grab a bag of rolls on your way home from work. Then, stuff them to make sausage and pepper sandwiches for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

Slow cooker lamb ragu on pappardelle noodles topped with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu tastes like you brought home a high-priced Italian meal for dinner. The truth is because you braised the lamb for hours in the slow cooker, you’ve got a rich, delicious dish that tastes like a professional chef made it just for your family.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.