Description
Creamy, cozy, and so easy, this Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner is the perfect quick dinner idea for busy nights. Tender shredded chicken simmers all day in a flavorful broth with corn, black beans, and tomatoes before getting finished with melty cheese and cream cheese for the ultimate comfort food. It’s one of my favorite easy recipes for those “what’s for dinner?” moments, and it fits beautifully into your week of quick breakfast and dinner ideas, healthy snack and food ideas, and simple dinner ideas the whole family will love.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 cups chicken broth
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1 can corn kernels drained
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles undrained
1 medium yellow onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 packet taco seasoning about 3 tablespoons
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 avocado diced for serving
0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped for serving
1 cup crispy tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic on top of the chicken.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chiles.
4. Sprinkle the taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly over the top and gently stir to combine.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
6. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred it with two forks into bite sized pieces.
7. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it back into the broth.
8. Add the cubed cream cheese to the slow cooker, cover, and let it melt for about 15 minutes.
9. Stir well until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the broth looks creamy, then stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
10. Add the fresh lime juice and taste, adjusting the salt and pepper if needed.
11. Ladle the creamy chicken mixture into bowls and top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
12. Garnish each bowl with diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips before serving.
Notes
For the creamiest texture, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened and melted before stirring vigorously into the broth; adding it too cold or not letting it melt completely can leave small lumps instead of a smooth, silky sauce.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 360
- Category: Dinner, Slow Cooker Chicken
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 29
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 41
- Cholesterol: 155
Keywords: easy slow cooker chicken dinner, creamy crockpot chicken, chicken tortilla soup, weeknight dinner ideas, easy dinner recipe, family friendly meals, comfort food