23 Crock Pot Chicken Recipes Perfect for Summer

We've got BBQ, fajitas, salads and more!

By Susie Foresman July 28, 2021

Once the temperature heats up, our Crock Pot tends to be a little neglected—after all, no one wants heavy soups and stews when it’s 90 degrees outside! But it’s time to dust off the slow cooker and whip up a light, summery meal that won’t leave you stranded at the stove for hours. Still not convinced? Scroll through the slideshow below to discover 23 no-fuss slow cooker chicken recipes perfect for summer.

Honey Lime Shredded Chicken

With only six ingredients, this honey lime chicken is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, salads and more! Get the recipe from Sweet Peas and Saffron.

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

The key to this succulent chicken is in the orange sauce, enhanced with brown sugar, soy sauce and fresh ginger. It’s easy to remix this recipe too—you can substitute chicken breast or different veggies if that’s what your crew prefers. Grab the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Chicken with Pepper and Onions

This slow cooker recipe from The Seasoned Mom is sure to find a place in your meal rotation. There are lots of ways to remix it—serve it with pasta or rice, or make it into a cheesy sandwich. Plus, if you’re an Instant Pot fan, it can be put to use with this recipe.

Tarragon Chicken Salad

Chicken salad in the slow cooker? This recipe from The Dinner Mom is so genius we wish we’d thought of it ourselves. It’ll be delicious when freshly made, and works well as a packed lunch, too.

Slow Cooker Summer Corn Chowder

Chowder isn’t just for winter, and this version from A Zesty Bite is sure to become a summer staple. If you’ve got fresh corn on hand, this is the perfect dish to use it in (and if not, frozen works great too!). Click here to get the whole recipe.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Your Crock Pot doesn’t have to gather dust in the summertime, thanks to this fantastic recipe from The Nerdy Chef. It’s full of veggies and spices and packs a big punch of flavor. If you’re short on time, you can put everything in the pot at once instead of searing the chicken first.

Hawaiian Chicken

This Hawaiian chicken recipe screams summer. Kids will love the blend of sweet, tangy and savory flavors, and parents will love that it's easy to cook up! Head over to Averie Cooks for the recipe.

Crock Pot Chicken from Heaven

crock pot chicken recipe — Stock the Crock

For an easy dinner, nothing beats relying on your Crock Pot. This Crock Pot dinner recipe—from Phyllis Good’s new book, Stock the Crock—is truly a slice of heaven. Convenient, delicious and adaptable to Paleo diets, we’re betting this recipe will soon become a part of your nightly rotation. Grab the recipe by clicking here.

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

We love this lightened-up version of classic buffalo wings from Domestic Superhero. Shredded chicken is bathed in a mouthwatering sauce, then wrapped in butter lettuce. Click here to get the recipe.

Shredded Chicken Tacos

Food Fanatic offers this take on Mexican food that couldn’t be easier. Just pop chicken and taco seasoning in the Crock Pot in the morning, then pile on toppings like salsa, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce for a complete meal.

Mango Chicken Stuffed Peppers

This tasty recipe from Worth Cooking makes use of your Crock Pot to cook a combo of chicken, mango, and spices. Then, after the chicken’s done, just pop the mixture in some red bell peppers and bake for a few minutes.

Honey Crispy Chicken

Skip the takeout the next time you’re craving Chinese food—this crispy chicken recipe from Crockpot Gourmet is much healthier, and it’s sure to be a hit with even picky kiddos.

Chicken Alfredo

Instead of sweating over a pot of boiling water, make this family-favorite pasta dish in your Crock Pot with ease. Click here for the recipe from Slow Cooker Gourmet.

Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas

Put a twist on your usual quesadilla recipe with kid-favorite ingredients like barbecue sauce, pineapple, and (of course) lots of gooey cheese. Get the recipe over at Prevention RD.

Summer Chicken Chili

Who said chili was just for wintertime? Check out this summery take on the dish from Back to Her Roots.

Barbecue Chicken Coleslaw

Combine two well-loved barbecue foods into one awesome dish. This recipe from A Sunshiny Day is a surefire hit for your next summer party.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

For a fancy hors-d'oeuvre or a fun weeknight meal, whip up these buffalo meatballs from Damn Delicious.

Honey Mustard Drumsticks

Think of this recipe from Kitchen Trial & Error as a classed-up version of chicken nuggets with a honey mustard sauce. Pair the drumsticks with an apple slaw for a tangy and savory combo.

Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Whip up these delish (and super simple!) barbecue chicken sandwiches from Fearless Homemaker. Kiddos will love the chicken on sandwiches, mixed into mac and cheese, or stuffed in enchiladas—the sky’s the limit!

Butter Chicken

Try out Brittany’s Pantry’s lightened up version of butter chicken, an awesome way to treat your fam to Indian food without packing on the calories.

Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

Throw these no-fuss sandwiches together in no time thanks to Apple of My Eye’s simple recipe.

Shredded Chicken Barbecue Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes take on a whole new meaning in this recipe from A Sunshiny Day. Pile ‘em high with barbecue chicken, shredded cheese, and green onions for a super satisfying meal.