7 Easy Slow Cooker Main Dish Recipes

Slow cookers are a lifesaver for busy days when you want a hearty, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. These seven easy slow cooker main dish recipes are perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings. From comforting stews to flavorful roasts, these recipes will satisfy your cravings and make cooking a breeze.

Ingredients for 7 Easy Slow Cooker Main Dishes:

1. Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

2. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste

3. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• 3-4 pounds pork shoulder or butt
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

4. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14 oz) corn, drained
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste

5. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into pieces
• Salt and pepper, to taste

6. Slow Cooker Beef Roast

• 3-4 pound beef chuck roast
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

7. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Tortillas, for serving
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro

How to Make 7 Easy Slow Cooker Main Dishes:

1. Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore:

• Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Top with onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic.
• In a bowl, mix diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, red wine, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Pour over chicken.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve over pasta or rice.

2. Slow Cooker Beef Stew:

• Place beef stew meat in the slow cooker. Add carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic.
• In a bowl, mix diced tomatoes, beef broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour over beef and vegetables.
• Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Serve with crusty bread.

3. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork:

• Place pork shoulder or butt in the slow cooker. Top with onion and garlic.
• In a bowl, mix barbecue sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over pork.
• Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Shred pork with two forks and serve on buns.

4. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili:

• Place onion, bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve with toppings of your choice.

5. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings:

• Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Top with cream of chicken soup, onion, garlic, chicken broth, peas, and carrots.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken with two forks. Stir in milk and biscuit dough pieces. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until biscuits are cooked through.

6. Slow Cooker Beef Roast:

• Place beef chuck roast in the slow cooker. Top with onion and garlic.
• In a bowl, mix beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour over beef.
• Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Serve with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes.

7. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos:

• Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.
• Top with onion, diced tomatoes, and green chilies. Pour chicken broth over everything.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken with two forks and serve in tortillas with desired toppings.

About the Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Chicken is a versatile protein that works well in slow cooker recipes. It becomes tender and absorbs flavors well.
• Beef: Beef stew meat and chuck roast are great options for slow cooking. They become tender and flavorful after long hours of cooking.
• Pork: Pork shoulder or butt is ideal for pulled pork. It becomes tender and easily shreds after slow cooking.
• Vegetables: Onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and mushrooms add flavor and texture to these dishes.
• Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes add acidity and depth to the recipes, especially in the stews and chili.
• Broths and Sauces: Chicken broth, beef broth, barbecue sauce, and cream of chicken soup add liquid and flavor to the dishes.
• Spices and Herbs: Oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, chili powder, cumin, and taco seasoning enhance the flavors of the dishes.
• Other Ingredients: Coconut milk, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and biscuit dough are additional ingredients that add flavor and texture to the recipes.

These seven easy slow cooker main dish recipes are perfect for busy days when you want a delicious homemade meal without a lot of effort. Enjoy the convenience and flavors of slow cooking with these tasty recipes!