My Simple Formula for Easy Dump Slow Cooker Dinners

As a busy, tired, working mom, I don’t have time for this fancy pants cooking that some people do. I am all about quick, simple, easy recipes that I can just dump in my slow cooker, set on low, and go to work. I come home and magic has happened while I was away. Here I’m sharing a few of these super simple recipes that I always have in my meal planning rotation.

The Dump Recipe Formula

Chicken is our go-to meat for these slow cooker meals, it’s easy and healthy, so I tend to buy a lot of chicken breasts. I go ahead and use all the chicken in the packet. There are usually about 6 pieces. This gives us plenty of leftovers and lasts several meals, which means I only have to come up with a few meals to alternate.

We also love our slow cooker. Well, I do anyway. I have an older slow cooker, not a fancy programmable slow cooker. So these recipes can cook all day without being any trouble. Note: I did recently buy myself an Instant Pot (during Prime day), which also is a programmable slow cooker, but I haven’t yet taken it out of the box (currently learning how to use the instant pot). So you’re welcome to use whatever slow cooker you have. I use the 6-qt one to fit everything but you can certainly halve it all for a smaller pot and a one-night meal.

So the recipes I will share below all follow a simple formula. Here it is:

Chicken + Marinade/Seasoning + Veggies.

That’s it! I start with chicken, I add whatever flavoring we’re doing, and add veggies – either canned or frozen. They’ll be cooked together all day anyway.

You can also cook some quick rice when you get home (I love rice that cooks in 10 minutes) to have as a serving base for the chicken dinners.

 

Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Dump Recipe

This is one of my go-to recipes. I love it for the flavor and simplicity.

Here are the ingredients for salsa chicken:

• Chicken breasts (entire packet) – chopped into squares
• Restaurant style salsa jar – I usually do two 16-oz jars
• black beans
• mixed veggies

 

The restaurant style salsa is key here since it already comes with delicious ingredients and seasonings. It’s perfect to dump in with your chicken. I cover the chicken with it then add the vegetables on top.

Cook on low, for at least 7 hours.

You can chop the chicken into squares to help keep it soft when cooking all day so it doesn’t get that overcooked feeling.

You can also shred the chicken right away since it will be very tender while it’s still hot. Feel free to add some shredded cheese on top when serving.

 

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken Dump Recipe

This is another family favorite.

Ingredients:

• chicken breasts, chopped
• pineapple chunks, 2 cans
• Panda express sauce – we like the sweet chili – 1 bottle
• Frozen mixed veggies (usually a pack with green beans, peas, and carrots)

 

The pineapple juice and sweet chili sauce together are delicious. This can turn out soupy so you can add less pineapple juice (drain for other consumption before dumping the chunks) or let it all cook and then add a bit of cornstarch when you first get home to let it thicken while everyone is getting settled in.

You can add whatever veggies you like. I’ve done squash before. Helps when you buy it already cubed.

Cook on low, for at least 7 hours.

 

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Dump Recipe

Here’s one more take on the chicken dump that I use regularly in our rotation.

Ingredients:

• chicken breasts, chopped
• 1 jar gourmet Teriyaki sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• garlic powder (a few shakes of the seasoning container should do it)
• Frozen mixed veggies

Cook on low, for at least 7 hours.

 

Add some rice, or a tossed side salad for a lower calorie meal.

 

 

 

Want more ideas? Check out these great recipes!