This cranberry chicken in the crockpot is perfect when you want a delicious chicken dinner that doesn't seem like it was cooked in a slow cooker. Bonus: this might be the easiest crock pot recipe you ever make!
The three (only three!) sauce ingredients meld to enhance flavor and provide a noteworthy texture, too—tender but with chicken breasts still holding their own, enveloped in the tangy, sweet cranberry-infused sauce.
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A serving of chicken from this sweet and tangy chicken creates a clear main course on the plate, perfect with distinct but simple side dishes—great for a change from all-in-one crockpot meals and appealing to your "don't-want-everything-all-mixed-together" eaters.
This 4-ingredient slow cooker cranberry chicken recipe is delicious served over brown or white rice or mashed potatoes. Pair it with a salad, seasoned green beans, roasted garlic broccoli, or peas for a simple meal.
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What you need to make Cranberry Chicken in the Crockpot
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- French salad dressing. French dressing—and its cousin, Catalina dressing—comes in a range of colors indicating the balance of ingredients in each. Feel free to use the style you prefer, or experiment with different styles to see which you like best with in this sauce.
- Whole berry canned cranberry sauce. The berries in whole berry cranberry sauce elevate this crock pot cranberry chicken recipe above the typical slow cooker fare. If you don't have access to cranberry sauce with whole berries, you can substitute plain cranberry sauce but will lose the elegance that the berries lend to this dish. If you are feeling truly inspired, you can make your own cranberry sauce from whole cranberries and use that.
- Onion soup mix. Any brand is fine.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Cranberry Chicken in the Crockpot
Cut chicken breasts into 6 uniformly-sized pieces (1). Combine cranberry sauce, French dressing, and onion soup mix in a slow cooker (2).
Stir gently, being sure not to break up cranberries, until ingredients are well mixed. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker, nestling them in the sauce (3). Spoon a little of the sauce on top of the chicken. Cover and cook for 5-6 hours on low, gently stirring every couple of hours as the chicken releases its juices (4).
Crockpot tip
You'll need to adjust the cooking time of this recipe based on your individual appliance. Slow cookers give different results based on brand, size, and how full they are, so keep that in mind when planning your cook time. A 6-quart crockpot will cook the same recipe much faster than a 4-quart or 3-quart crockpot.
On top of that, not all crockpots cook at the temperature they are supposed to (you can use this method to test your crockpot temperature). The bottom line is that unlike oven cooking, there is no way to exactly predict the time needed to perfectly cook in a crockpot because they vary so much.
I use a 6-quart crockpot—the size is perfect for the recipes I make, and it gives me the options I need without needing to learn complicated programming modes. I like the ability to choose how long to cook at high or low. It automatically switches to the "keep warm" function after the cooking time ends.
I tested this crock pot chicken recipe in my 6-quart crock pot, so the cook times are based on two pounds of chicken in that size appliance. Be sure to use a meat thermometer (I absolutely adore my Thermopop, which has elevated my cooking game exponentially) to determine when your chicken is thoroughly cooked (the thickest part should be a minimum of 165ºF).
Storage and freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can freeze the ingredients so they are ready to go if you would like. Mix the sauce ingredients in a freezer container, then add the chicken pieces. Freeze for up to six months and label as follows.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken Date____________________
Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in slow cooker, cover, and cook for 5-6 hours on low.
FAQ
Is it ok to put raw chicken in the slow cooker?
Yes, slow cookers are designed to cook meats from a raw state when used as directed (never use a delay function with raw meat). Food safety experts advise not putting frozen raw meats in a slow cooker, since they may not come to a cooking temperature in a safe period of time.
Do you have to brown chicken before slow cooking?
While browning or searing can add a nice texture to chicken, it is unnecessary when cooking Cranberry Chicken in the crock pot. One of the advantages of this recipe is that there is only one pot to clean—no need to add an additional pan to clean up. If you are making this recipe using the slow cooker mode of an Instant Pot, you could sear the chicken in a bit of oil before adding the other ingredients if you wish, but it is not required.
What should I serve with cranberry chicken?
Serve crock pot Cranberry Chicken over white or brown rice or mashed potatoes, and pair it with a salad, seasoned green beans, roasted garlic broccoli, or peas for a simple meal.
Why is my chicken rubbery after cooking in the crockpot?
Undercooking or overcooking is a common culprit when chicken is rubbery. I suggest using a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked to the correct level of doneness (I absolutely adore my Thermopop). Using the right size crockpot for the amount of food you are cooking and cooking for the correct amount of time are crucial to properly cooked chicken. If you continue to have issues with rubbery texture, you might try switching from using chicken breasts to using chicken thighs, which have a higher moisture content and are less likely to dry out.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 14 ounces whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 cup French salad dressing
- 1 package onion soup mix
Instructions
- Cut 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 6 uniformly-sized pieces.
- Combine 14 ounces whole berry cranberry sauce, 1 cup French salad dressing, and 1 package onion soup mix in a slow cooker.
- Stir gently, being sure not to break up cranberries, until ingredients are well mixed.
- Add the chicken pieces to the slow cooker, nestling them in the sauce.
- Cover and cook for 5-6 hours on low, gently stirring every couple of hours.
Nutrition per serving
More slow cooker chicken recipes
Easy dinners like this allow me to make dinner at home on busy days. I love these easy slow cooker recipes for days when dinnertime will be rushed.
- Crockpot Fiesta Chicken
- Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
- Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup
- Easy Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings with Biscuits
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