Looking for an easy dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen? This Slow Cooker Chicken with Cranberry Sauce is a delicious combination of tender chicken, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and savory seasonings.
The slow cooker does most of the work, making this recipe especially convenient for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. Similar versions commonly pair chicken with cranberry sauce and a savory onion seasoning, with the finished dish served over rice or mashed potatoes. (The Magical Slow Cooker)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to prepare with just a few ingredients
The chicken becomes tender and flavorful as it cooks
Sweet and savory flavors work beautifully together
Perfect with rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles
Great for a simple family dinner
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can (14–15 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 cup Catalina or French dressing
1 packet (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
1. Prepare the Chicken
Lightly spray a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the chicken breasts in a single layer on the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Make the Cranberry Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, Catalina dressing, dry onion soup mix, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Stir until everything is well combined.
3. Add the Sauce
Pour the cranberry mixture evenly over the chicken. Make sure the chicken is well coated with the sauce.
4. Slow Cook
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for about 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally and is tender.
You can also cook it on HIGH for approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on your slow cooker. (Meatloaf and Melodrama)
5. Serve
Carefully remove the chicken and spoon plenty of the cranberry sauce over the top.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
What to Serve With Cranberry Chicken
This chicken pairs especially well with:
Creamy mashed potatoes
White or brown rice
Buttered egg noodles
Roasted vegetables
Steamed green beans
A simple side salad
Helpful Tips
Use whole-berry cranberry sauce for a little extra texture, although jellied cranberry sauce can also work.
Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts and tend to stay especially juicy during slow cooking. (The Magical Slow Cooker)
Taste the sauce before adding extra salt because the onion soup mix can already be quite salty.
For a slightly brighter flavor, add a small splash of orange juice to the cranberry mixture.
If you prefer shredded chicken, shred it after cooking and stir it back into the sauce.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.
The chicken and sauce can be gently reheated together, making leftovers just as convenient as the original dinner.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Chicken with Cranberry Sauce is one of those recipes that proves dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. The tender chicken, tangy cranberry sauce, and savory onion flavor create a comforting sweet-and-savory combination.
Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice, spoon some extra cranberry sauce on top, and you have an easy dinner the whole family can enjoy.
