3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
Some of the best dinners come from the simplest ideas, and this slow cooker cranberry chicken is the perfect example. With just three ingredients and almost zero prep time, you get a tender, juicy, and deeply flavorful meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The sweet-tart cranberry sauce melds beautifully with the chicken as it slow cooks, creating a rich, glossy sauce that the whole family will love.
Whether you are feeding a busy weeknight crowd or looking for a cozy weekend dinner, this recipe delivers every single time. Just dump, set, and let your slow cooker do all the hard work. Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles to soak up every last drop of that gorgeous cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (raw)
- 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry onion soup mix
Method
- Place the raw chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
- In a small bowl, stir together the whole berry cranberry sauce and the dry onion soup mix until well combined.
- Pour the cranberry mixture evenly over the top of the chicken breasts, making sure every piece is well coated.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
- Once done, shred the chicken with two forks directly in the slow cooker and stir everything together so the meat is fully coated in the sauce.
- Serve warm over your favorite side dish and spoon plenty of the cranberry sauce over the top.
Tips for the Best Results
For an extra depth of flavor, you can add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar or a teaspoon of garlic powder to the cranberry mixture before pouring it over the chicken. If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking on HIGH to allow it to reduce a little. Leftovers store beautifully in the refrigerator for up to four days, making this a fantastic meal-prep option as well.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry chicken pairs wonderfully with fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or even a simple green salad. The sauce is so good that you will want something on the plate to soak it all up. It also works beautifully stuffed inside a soft roll for a next-day sandwich that tastes just as incredible as the first serving.
