Okay, listen up! If there’s one thing I absolutely *adore* on a crazy weeknight, it’s throwing a bunch of goodness into my trusty slow cooker and letting it do ALL the work. Seriously, is there anything better than walking in the door to the smell of dinner already done? Nope! And this Crockpot Angel Chicken? Oh, honey, it’s pure magic. It’s one of those recipes that feels way fancier than it is, but it’s so incredibly simple.
I stumbled upon a version of this years ago, and it quickly became my go-to for busy evenings. It’s creamy, comforting, and the flavor is just… well, angelic! It takes maybe 15 minutes to prep in the morning (or the night before!), then you just set it and forget it for about 6 hours on low. You get about 6 servings of tender, delicious chicken ready to go. It’s a total win-win!
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Angel Chicken
So why is this Crockpot Angel Chicken recipe my absolute favorite for dinner emergencies? Let me tell you:
- It’s ridiculously easy. Seriously, minimal chopping, maybe 15 minutes of your time, and the slow cooker does the rest.
- The flavor is out of this world! That creamy, savory sauce with the tender chicken? It feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s pure comfort food.
- It’s super versatile. Goes with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes… you name it!
- The whole family loves it. Even picky eaters usually gobble this up.
- It makes your house smell amazing. Walking in after a long day to that aroma? Heavenly!
It truly lives up to the “angel” name with that dreamy creaminess, and the crockpot makes it completely foolproof.
Ingredients for Crockpot Angel Chicken
Okay, let’s talk about what you need to make this creamy, dreamy Crockpot Angel Chicken. The beauty of this recipe is that it uses really simple ingredients you probably already have or can grab easily at the store. We’re talking about things that transform into something truly special with minimal effort.
You’ll start with about four boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Then comes the secret flavor weapon: one standard 1.25 ounce package of dry Italian salad dressing mix. Don’t skip this! You’ll also need one 10.75 ounce can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. We thin that out just a bit with half a cup of chicken broth. And for that extra richness and magic? You’ll need a quarter cup of butter, cut into cubes, and one 8 ounce package of cream cheese, make sure it’s softened so it melts into that glorious sauce later!
Equipment for Making Crockpot Angel Chicken
Alright, so you’ve got your ingredients ready to go. Now for the tools! Luckily, you don’t need anything fancy for this Crockpot Angel Chicken. The star of the show, of course, is your trusty slow cooker. Any size around 6 quarts or larger will work perfectly. You’ll also want a good whisk to get that soup and broth nice and smooth before pouring it over the chicken. That’s really it! See? Simple!
How to Make Crockpot Angel Chicken: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, this is where the magic really happens! Making this Crockpot Angel Chicken is seriously one of the easiest things you’ll do all week. It’s all about layering those simple ingredients and letting the slow cooker do the heavy lifting. Follow these steps, and you’ll have dinner ready with minimal fuss.
Preparing the Crockpot Angel Chicken Base
First things first, grab your slow cooker. No need to preheat it yet, just get it ready! You’re going to take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and just lay them right in the bottom of the pot. Don’t worry about arranging them perfectly, they’ll get happy in there.
Next, grab that package of dry Italian salad dressing mix. This is where a ton of the flavor comes from! Just sprinkle that whole packet right over the chicken. Get it nice and coated.
Now, in a separate bowl, whisk together the can of condensed cream of mushroom soup and the chicken broth. Whisk it until it’s smooth – you don’t want any weird lumps. Once that’s done, pour this creamy mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure it covers everything nicely.
The last thing for this initial layer is the butter. Take your cubed butter and dot it over the top of the soup mixture. These little bits of butter will melt down and add extra richness as it cooks.
Cooking and Finishing Your Crockpot Angel Chicken
Now, put the lid on your slow cooker! This is important – keep that heat and moisture locked in. You’re going to cook this Crockpot Angel Chicken on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The goal is for the chicken to be cooked all the way through and super tender, easily shreddable with a fork.
Once the chicken is done and tender, carefully take it out of the slow cooker. You can put it on a cutting board or in a shallow dish. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. It should fall apart pretty easily!
While the chicken is out, grab your softened cream cheese. Stir it right into the hot sauce that’s left in the slow cooker. Stir, stir, stir until it’s completely melted and the sauce is wonderfully smooth and creamy. This is where the “angelic” part really comes to life!
Finally, return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with that gorgeous, creamy sauce. Give it a good stir to make sure every piece of chicken is coated in the deliciousness. Let it hang out for a few minutes to really soak up that flavor before serving. And that’s it! Delicious Crockpot Angel Chicken, ready to go!
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Angel Chicken
Okay, so making Crockpot Angel Chicken is already super easy, but here are a few little tricks I use to make sure it turns out absolutely perfect every single time. These aren’t fussy things, just little nuggets of kitchen wisdom!
First off, don’t pack your slow cooker too full. The chicken needs a little room to cook evenly in that glorious sauce. If you’re doubling the recipe, you might need a bigger slow cooker or make two batches.
When it comes to that cream cheese, make sure it’s properly softened before you stir it in. If it’s cold and hard, it won’t melt into that smooth, dreamy sauce you’re aiming for. Just leave it out on the counter for a bit before you start the recipe.
Also, taste the sauce after you stir in the cream cheese! Depending on the saltiness of your broth and soup, you might want a little pinch of salt or pepper. Trust your taste buds!
And if you like your sauce extra thick, here’s a pro tip from the recipe notes: mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until it’s smooth. Stir that slurry into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking, and it’ll thicken up beautifully!
Variations for Your Crockpot Angel Chicken
While the classic Crockpot Angel Chicken is amazing on its own, it’s also super forgiving and easy to play around with! Want to make it your own? Go for it!
You can totally sneak in some veggies. Sliced mushrooms or frozen peas are easy additions – just stir them in during the last hour of cooking. They’ll soften up nicely in that creamy sauce. Don’t have cream of mushroom soup? Try cream of chicken or even cream of celery for a slightly different flavor profile. You could also experiment with a pinch of garlic powder or a sprinkle of dried parsley for a little extra something. These small tweaks keep the core comfort of the dish but let you change things up!
Serving Suggestions for Crockpot Angel Chicken
Okay, your Crockpot Angel Chicken is done, smelling divine, and ready to eat! Now, what to serve it with? The beauty of this creamy chicken is that it’s incredibly versatile. My absolute favorite is spooned over hot, cooked pasta – it coats the noodles perfectly! But it’s also fantastic over fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or even egg noodles. Honestly, anything that can soak up that amazing sauce is a winner!
Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Angel Chicken
Got a few questions bouncing around in your head about this easy Crockpot Angel Chicken? Totally understandable! Here are some common ones I get asked, hopefully, they help you out!
Can I use frozen chicken breasts? Yep, you totally can! Just add about 30-60 minutes to the cook time on low, or check for doneness around the 3-hour mark if you’re cooking on high. Make sure they’re not stuck together when you put them in the slow cooker!
How do I store leftovers? Easy peasy! Just pop any leftover creamy chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay good for 3-4 days. It reheats really well, too – either in the microwave or gently on the stovetop.
Can I make this ahead of time? You can definitely prep parts of it! You can whisk together the soup and broth mixture and keep it in the fridge. You can also cube the butter and soften the cream cheese ahead of time. The actual cooking in the slow cooker is best done just before you want to eat it, but the leftovers are great!
Making this slow cooker chicken really is pretty straightforward, but these little tips can make it even smoother!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Crockpot Angel Chicken
Now, I’m not a nutritionist, but based on the ingredients, here’s a rough idea of what you’re getting per serving of this yummy Crockpot Angel Chicken. Keep in mind this is just an estimate! Things like the exact brand of soup or chicken can change the numbers a bit.
You’re looking at around 450 calories per serving, with about 30g of fat (including 15g saturated), 35g of protein (yay!), and roughly 10g of carbs. It’s definitely a richer dish, perfect for a comforting meal!
Share Your Crockpot Angel Chicken Experience
So, are you going to give this Crockpot Angel Chicken a try? I really hope you do! If you make it (or if you have your *own* favorite way to make it!), please come back and let me know in the comments below. How did you serve it? Did you add any fun variations? Don’t forget to rate the recipe too! I just love hearing how these family-favorite dishes work out in your kitchens. Happy cooking!
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Crockpot Angel Chicken: Pure Magic in 6 Hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
Easy crockpot recipe for tender chicken with a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (1.25 ounce) package dry Italian salad dressing mix
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
- Sprinkle Italian dressing mix over chicken.
- In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth. Pour over chicken.
- Dot with cubed butter.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred.
- Stir cream cheese into the sauce in the slow cooker until melted and smooth.
- Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Add vegetables like mushrooms or peas during the last hour of cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: crockpot chicken, slow cooker chicken, angel chicken, creamy chicken, Italian chicken