Javascript required
Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Home / Easy Chicken Casserole in the Slow Cooker

Easy Chicken Casserole in the Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole is an easy weeknight dinner; with a little bit of prep, you can switch off and let the slow-cooker do the rest.

Top Down, close up view of Cooked Chicken Casserole in Slow Cooker

Slow cooker recipes are some of the most popular recipes on Healthy Little Foodies and I can understand why. Life is busy and slow cookers make mealtimes easier for many families, regardless of their working situation or kids' ages.

This slow cooker chicken casserole is a complete meal that will be ready and waiting for you at dinner time. Stress-free.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Cooking Steps

  1. Coat chicken thighs in flour – By coating the chicken this way, the flour helps to thicken the liquid in the casserole.
  2. Brown chicken pieces in oil to provide added flavour.
  3. Saute vegetables – in the chicken juices to retain all the flavour.
  4. Add all ingredients (apart from mushrooms, lemon juice and parsley) to the slow cooker and set to cook (on high or low)
  5. Add mushrooms towards the end of cooking
  6. Add lemon juice, fresh parsley and season to taste just before serving.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole (Process Shot Collage)

Do you have to brown the chicken and saute the vegetables before adding to the Slow Cooker?

This casserole includes browning the chicken and sauteing vegetables before adding to the slow cooker. Technically these steps are not necessary but doing so results in a mellower, more balanced casserole with a slightly sweeter flavour. For this reason, I choose to brown beforehand.

However, I do think you have to weigh up your priorities . Although browning makes a difference in taste you may feel that dirtying a pan and the extra time required is not actually worth that difference. In that case, you can just chop, dump everything in the pot, set it to cook and go!

If you do choose to skip the browning then omit the oil and vinegar and whisk the flour with the chicken stock before adding to the slow cooker.

What are the best chicken thighs to use and can you use chicken breast?

The chicken you use is personal preference, see notes below.

Chicken Thigh  (Skin on vs skin off) – If you are pre-cooking then using skin-on thighs will produce added flavour , make sure to sear them well. Add chicken skin-side down to the hot oil, cook until skin is golden in colour, around 5 minutes. If you choose to skip the searing stage then I would recommend removing the skins as they can go a funny texture if added raw to the slow cooker.

Chicken Thigh (Bone in vs Boneless) – I didn't find a big difference in texture or flavour when using bone-in or boneless thighs in this dish. For younger children it might be easier to use boneless , my youngest certainly prefered it without the bones.

Chicken Breast – If using chicken breasts I recommend adding them whole rather than chopping them into pieces . They will fall apart easily and I suggest shredding the chicken (like in this slow cooker chicken curry). It will give a different feel to the dish but will still be delicious.

Thick or Thin Gravy?

To thicken; in a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp of flour/cornflour with 1/2 cup of the casserole broth. Stir the flour mixture into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30 minutes, or until thickened.

Side View of Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Storing and Re-heating Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Refrigeration

  • Allow the casserole to cool; store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

Freezing

  • Allow the casserole to cool, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • If I am making purposely to freeze, I often cook it without potatoes and instead serve with mashed potatoes. Although it is perfectly safe to freeze potatoes, I sometimes find the texture changes and they can become a little soft and grainy.
  • Thaw, overnight, in a refrigerator, and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

Child Holding Bowl of Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole Served with Crusty Bread

Love your slow cooker? Check out my other slow cooker recipes!

Have you tried this recipe? I love receiving your feedback, please rate and leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram!

Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more kind-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Serves: 6

Hover over "serves" value to reveal recipe scaler

  • Slow Cooker

  • 6 (750g) Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • 1 tbsp Flour (plain/all purpose)
  • 2 tsp Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Olive OIl
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Celery Stalks, finely chopped
  • 1 medium Leek, thinly sliced
  • 3 medium Carrots, sliced
  • 1 tsp Garlic, minced
  • 2 Red Bell Peppers (capsicum), sliced into strips
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 430ml (1&3/4 cups) Chicken Stock
  • 750g (1.6lb) Baby Potatoes, quartered
  • 200g (7 oz) Mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 Lemon, juice of
  • 1 small handful Fresh Parsley, chopped

  • Add the chicken pieces to a large mixing bowl and coat in the flour.

  • Heat oil, over high heat, in a wide, heavy-based pan. When hot add chicken thighs and fry for approx 3 mins on both sides. Remove thighs from the pan and add to the slow cooker.

  • Deglaze the pan by adding the cider vinegar. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, celery and leek and saute, on low heat, for approx 3 mins. Add to the slow cooker.

  • Add the bell pepper (capsicum), oregano, tomato paste, dijon mustard, chicken stock and potatoes to the slow cooker.

  • Stir to combine; cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 6-7 hours.

  • Add the mushroom in the last 30 min - 1 hour of cooking.

  • Stir through the lemon juice and fresh parsley before serving.

Skipping the pre cooking - Pre cooking results in a mellower, more balanced casserole with a slightly sweeter flavour. However, if you are short in time you can skip the pre cooking. Omit the oil and cider vinegar and whisk the flour with the cicken stock before adding to the slow cooker.

Thickening the Gravy - If you prefer a thicken gravy then you can thicken by adding a slurry. In the last 30 mins of cooking, remove 1/2 a cup of the broth and mix together with 2tbsp of flour / corn flour. (add more flour depending on how thick you like it) Pour the mixture back into the slow cooker and stir. Cook on high for 30 mins to allow to thicken.

Gluten Free Version - To make this dish gluten free you can skip the flouring stage and be sure to use a gluten free chicken stock.

Storage - Allow the casserole to cool; store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutritional information is a rough guide only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator.

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 463 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g 37%

Saturated Fat 6g 30%

Cholesterol 123mg 41%

Sodium 207mg 9%

Potassium 1239mg 35%

Carbohydrates 36g 12%

Fiber 6g 24%

Sugar 7g 8%

Protein 27g 54%

Vitamin A 6820IU 136%

Vitamin C 84mg 102%

Calcium 58mg 6%

Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Meal

Cuisine: Western

Keyword: Chicken Casserole, Slow Cooker Casserole

Amy Whiteford runs the blog Healthy Little Foodies. She is a mum to two, has a BSc (Hons) Food Science, PGDE Primary Education and a Certificate in Childhood Nutrition. She uses her experience and knowledge to create healthy and delicious recipes for kids. Explore the site for creative ideas, tips, and inspiration! Read more

Reader Interactions

mccraesonvirsene.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/slow-cooker-chicken-casserole/