• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

An Oregon Cottage logo

  • Recipes
    • Best Desserts
    • Easy Salads
    • Easy Side Dishes
    • Homemade Breads
    • Sourdough
    • Homemade Soups
    • Pantry Basics Recipes
    • Simple Dinner Recipes
    • Simple Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Simple Snacks
  • Canning & Preserving
    • Canning Recipes
    • Dehydrator Recipes
    • Freezing Produce
    • Fermented Food Recipes
  • Gardening
    • Yard & Garden Tour
    • Vegetable Garden
    • Flowers, Beds & Borders
    • Gardening Tips
    • Ultimate Vegetable & Fruit Guides
  • DIY & Remodeling
    • 1900 Farmhouse
    • 1982 Ranch-turned-Cottage
    • Easy Handmade Gifts
  • Shop
    • Flexible Planner, Cookbooks, Ebooks & More
    • An Oregon Cottage's Amazon Shop
    • Shopping and Gift Guides
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Organic Gardening
  • DIY & Remodeling
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Get my newsletters + access to a library full of printables!

    Home » Blog » Whole Food Recipes » Simple Slow Cooker Recipes

    March 17, 2023 | By Jami

    Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner with Vegetables

    Jump to Recipe
    easy crockpot chicken and vegetables
    slow cooker 1 pot chicken dinner

    This hearty and healthy slow cooker chicken dinner with vegetables is the perfect one-dish, one-pot meal. This is your answer for an easy, nutritious and delicious dinner everyone will love.

    slow cooker chicken vegetable dinner on plate

    When you want a filling, meal that is thrown into a crockpot and forgotten until it's time to eat, then this slow cooker chicken and vegetable dinner is perfect for you! 

    Of course it won't totally be forgotten because the delicious smell will fill the house so that you can hardly wait for dinner.

    But you won't have to think about it. Yes, please.

    Did you know that 95% of Americans have chicken in their fridge or freezer at any given time (according to the National Chicken Council - which I didn't even know was a thing...)?

    Thankfully chicken has remained affordable even as other foods shoot up in price so you, too, may have chicken on hand that you can use to make this stress-free, nutritious dinner.

    And you will want to make this! Not only is it simple to put together, it also has bacon and a flavorful au jus gravy. You can make it with sweet potatoes or regular potatoes and it's a great way to use your frozen green beans.

    Did I mention the bacon? Um, yeah, you will want to try this.

    Skip right to the recipe or read more on the best ingredients to use, how to prepare the meal, some suggestions for variations, and other ways to cook this if you don't have a slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner

    chicken-vegetable dinner ingredients

    Ingredients

    The things you need to make this recipe are affordable and often what you may have in your pantry and fridge regularly. No specialty ingredients for this meal.

    • Bacon - this is added for flavor - once cooked, you then sauté the onions in the bacon grease which imparts this deliciousness to the au jus gravy.
    • Onions - of course. Both for the flavor from the long cooking time and the health benefit of eating onions.
    • Carrots - they help make this a one-dish meal with the nutrition they offer along with the onions and beans.
    • Green beans (fresh or frozen) - I love using our summer frozen green beans in meal like this - they are cut and ready to go, making it so easy.
    • Potatoes - I've made with with red potatoes, yellow and russets as well as the sweet potatoes pictured. All work well, though the sweet potatoes need less time to cook (see recipe card for specifics).
    • Chicken - you can use bone in thighs and/or drumsticks or bone-in breasts.
    • Chicken broth - homemade is great, but when I don't have it, I use this easy bullion that is recommended by America's Test Kitchen (it's cheaper and better than the boxes).
    • Sea salt and black pepper - we'll layer these on the chicken as well as season the vegetables with a bit.
    • Dried basil and thyme - dried herbs hold up much better than fresh with the long cooking in crockpots. To use fresh, add it the last 15 minutes.
    • Cornstarch or potato starch - I find either of these work, though I prefer potato starch for the added resistant starch it provides (a great fiber for gut health).
    • Optional chicken spice rub - you can use this all purpose spice rub or make your own with basic pantry staples like paprika, onion and garlic powder. It's optional because you can just sprinkle with salt and pepper, but you'll lose the prettier look of slow cooked chicken and the added flavor.
    slow cooker chicken vegetable dinner on white plate close.

    Easy Ingredient Swaps

    Here are some ingredient substitutions I can recommend for this slow cooker chicken dinner with vegetables:

    • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Adjustments on the cooking time is included in the recipe card below. (This is what I was using for the photos - the spice rub makes it look like there's browned skin, which is why I like using it.)
    • Add or substitute any root vegetable for the carrots - parsnips, turnips and golden beets (red are okay, but change the color of the chicken, so I stick with golden).
    • You don't have to use the bacon - it will still be a delicious chicken dinner, it will just taste a bit different. Sauté the onions in olive or avocado oil instead.
    • You can use arrowroot instead of cornstarch or potato starch, but you'll need to use 1 and 1/2 to 2 times as much.
    adding broth to slow cooker chicken dinner

    How to make Chicken Dinner with Vegetables

    This is an almost a throw-everything-in-the-pot at once dish. You will need to cook a few chopped up pieces of bacon first, then cook the onions in the drippings as well as brown the chicken before adding to the pot.

    Is it all absolutely necessary? Maybe not, but oh, the flavor it imparts.

    • Cook chopped bacon pieces until crisp and then remove to a plate. (Recipes like this where you only need a few pieces of bacon is when I pull out my easy freezer bacon.)
    • Cook chopped onions in the bacon drippings - or use olive oil if not using bacon. Lightly cook just for a couple minutes.
    • While the onions are sautéing, add the carrots and green beans to the slow cooker, and then scrape the sautéed onions over them.
    • Season skinned chicken with spice rub (or salt and pepper) and brown it in the remaining drippings on both sides for a few minutes each side. (If I use bone-in chicken, I always skin it before going in the slow cooker because, well, it comes out rubbery and gross, in my opinion.)
    • Transfer the chicken to the crockpot and layer the potatoes over the chicken. 
    • Mix together the chicken broth and spices and pour over the layers in the cooker.
    • Cover the pot and let it cook away.
    cooked chicken-vegetable dinner in slow cooker

    Make the Au Jus Gravy

    When the chicken and vegetables are done, transfer them to a platter and cover to keep warm.

    Turn the cooker to high. Mix cornstarch or potato starch in cold water until smooth and add to the pan juices in the cooker.

    Cook on high for about 15 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.

    To be honest, the juices never really thickens up much this way for me. It might work better in a pan on the stove, cooking for about 3 minutes, but I don't want the hassle or another pan to wash (hey- bacon is worth it, but gravy...not so much). 

    This is why I call it "au jus" instead of gravy and we're all satisfied, but if you'd like thicker gravy, you can go the extra pan route.

    pouring sauce-slow cooker chicken vegetable dinner

    Pour some of the gravy/au jus over the chicken and vegetables, sprinkle with the reserved bacon and pass more au jus with the platter. 

    slow cooker chicken vegetable dinner with bacon

    Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner FAQs

    Is slow cooking food healthy?

    Research shows that slow cooked meals are healthier than traditionally cooked meals, as they help to maintain more nutrients in the food. (source)

    Can I make this without a slow cooker?

    You can use a Dutch oven or other covered casserole. Make the slow cooker recipe just as it is written, but put the ingredients in a Dutch oven instead of the slow cooker. Bake at 350 degrees for for an 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

    Can I use an Instant Pot for this recipe?

    Yes! Here's how: Turn 6-quart Instant Pot on sauté mode to high. Cook the bacon until crisp and remove (or use olive oil).
    -Season chicken with salt and pepper or spice rub and brown the chicken in the IP on both sides, a few minutes each side.
    -Set the chicken aside and sauté the onions a bit before adding the broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom to avoid the burn notice.
    -Layer carrots and potatoes over onions and then add the browned chicken on top.
    -Set IP to high pressure and cook for 10 minutes for bone-in chicken (6 minutes for boneless) and quickly release the steam. Remove the lid, add the green beans, and secure the lid again.
    -Set the cooking time for 1 minute at high pressure. The Instant Pot will come to pressure again, and end the cooking cycle. Quickly release the steam and remove the lid.
    -Continue like slow cooker recipe, removing food to a platter and making au jus in the pot using the sauté setting - switch off once it's thickened some.

    Recommended tools

    • Slow Cooker/Crockpot (this is the brand I prefer)
    • OR Instant Pot (this is the version I use)
    • OR Dutch Oven (bonus - you can also use it to make this delicious bread)
    • Sharp chef's knife (the less expensive brand I use all the time)
    • Wooden cutting board for veggies; dishwasher-safe cutting board for chicken

    Don’t forget to check out all of my kitchen essentials and nice-to-haves.

    More easy slow cooker recipes you'll love

    • Slow Cooker Chicken, Vegetable & Lentil Curry Recipe
    • Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Carrots with Onions
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Recipe (with Stovetop Option)

    I hope you love this delicious and healthy slow cooker chicken dinner with vegetables! If you make it, please leave a comment and a rating letting me know - I'd be so thankful!

    pouring sauce-slow cooker chicken vegetable dinner
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Slow Cooker Chicken & Vegetable Dinner

    This slow cooker chicken and vegetable dinner is the perfect one-dish, one-pot meal. No fuss and no mess - just an easy dinner that's full of flavor.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time3 hrs
    Total Time3 hrs 30 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 6 servings
    Author: Jami Boys

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Pressure Cooker optional
    • Dutch oven optional

    Ingredients

    • 3 slices bacon, chopped
    • 1 onion, diced
    • 4 medium carrots, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
    • 2 cups cut green beans, fresh or frozen
    • 4 medium potatoes, quartered (small ones halved)*
    • 8 chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone in**
    • optional chicken seasoning: all purpose spice rub OR 2 teaspoons paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic and onion powder
    • 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/4 cup cold water
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch***

    Instructions

    • Cook chopped bacon pieces until crisp and then remove to a plate.
    • Cook chopped onions in the bacon drippings - or use olive oil if not using bacon. Lightly cook just for a couple minutes.
    • While the onions are sautéing, add the carrots and green beans to the slow cooker, and then scrape the sautéed onions over them.
    • Season skinned chicken with spice rub (or salt and pepper) and brown it in the remaining drippings on both sides for a few minutes each side.
    • Transfer the chicken to the crockpot and layer the potatoes over the chicken. 
    • Mix together the chicken broth and spices and pour over the layers in the cooker.
    • Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours.
    • Transfer chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
    • Combine the cold water and cornstarch/potato starch until smooth and add to the drippings in the cooker, cooking on high for 15 minutes (or transfer all to a small saucepan for a couple minutes for thicker gravy in less time).
    • Pour some of the gravy/au jus over the chicken and vegetables, sprinkle with the reserved bacon and pass more gravy with the platter.

    Notes

    *You can use sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces. If you'd like them firmer, add them after the first hour of cooking.
    **To use boneless, skinless thighs: cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until vegetables are done.
    ***You can also use arrowroot powder, though you'll need to increase the amount to 3 to 4 tablespoons.
    HOW TO COOK IN A DUTCH OVEN: Make the slow cooker recipe just as it is written, but put the ingredients in a Dutch oven instead of the slow cooker. Bake at 350 degrees for for an 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
    HOW TO COOK IN AN INSTANT POT: Turn 6-quart Instant Pot on sauté mode to high. Cook the bacon until crisp and remove (or use olive oil).
    -Season chicken with salt and pepper or spice rub and brown the chicken in the IP on both sides, a few minutes each side.
    -Set the chicken aside and sauté the onions a bit before adding the broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom to avoid the burn notice.
    -Layer carrots and potatoes over onions and then add the browned chicken on top.
    -Set IP to high pressure and cook for 10 minutes for bone-in chicken (6 minutes for boneless) and quickly release the steam. Remove the lid, add the green beans, and secure the lid again.
    -Set the cooking time for 1 minute at high pressure. The Instant Pot will come to pressure again, and end the cooking cycle. Quickly release the steam and remove the lid.
    -Continue like slow cooker recipe, removing food to a platter and making au jus in the pot using the sauté setting - switch off once it's thickened some.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 518kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 628mg | Potassium: 668mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 7211IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
    one dish crockpot chicken vegetable dinner

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Daphne says

      November 27, 2010 at 6:57 am

      Ooh, I love green beans. I think it's the only green vegetable that I eat. LOL

      Reply
    2. Princess and the Pea says

      November 25, 2010 at 9:52 pm

      Oooh yum, I love anything that comes out of the slo-cooker! It is my best friend in the winter!

      Reply
    3. Heather's Blog-o-rama says

      November 25, 2010 at 12:43 am

      This really looks good and anything that I can basically throw into my slowcooker is already a hit in my family 🙂 🙂 🙂 Have a lovely Happy Thanksgiving. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 🙂

      Reply
    4. very merry vintage style says

      November 24, 2010 at 5:08 pm

      Sounds yummy. I wish it was cooking at my house... Perhaps Friday or Saturday when we plan to decorate the tree!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jami Boys headshot

    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My desire is to help you live a simple homemade life through delicious whole food recipes, easy organic gardening and preserving your harvest.

    Read More →

    Popular Posts

    • Easy, Soft 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread Tutorial
    • roasted cabbage wedges2_featuredroasted cabbage wedges_featured image
      Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Onion Dijon Sauce
    • Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread Recipe (Ready in 1 Day)
    • Original Brown Paper Floor Tutorial: A DIY Alternative to Wood Floors
    • How to Freeze Green Beans without Blanching
      How To Freeze Green Beans The Easy Way Without Blanching
    • Cucumbers on trellis_featured
      5 Reasons To Grow Cucumbers On A Trellis (And Taking Up Less Space Isn't One Of Them)

    ALL OUR CATEGORIES

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
    • Terms of Use & Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Collaboration & Advertising

    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Disclaimer: All Content Provided On An Oregon Cottage Is For Informational Purposes Only. The Owner Of This Blog Makes No Representations As To The Accuracy Or Completeness Of Any Information On This Site Or Found By Following Any Link On This Site.

    Copyright © 2009-2023 An Oregon Cottage | No Content On This Site, Including Text And Photos, May Be Reused In Any Fashion Without Written Permission.