Description
This Italian Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes recipe offers a flavorful, hands-off meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken thighs or breasts are slow-cooked with baby potatoes in a savory Italian seasoning mix, enriched with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. The dish results in a comforting, aromatic main course that’s easy to prepare and feeds the whole family with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved
Seasoning and Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning mix (1 ounce)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Lightly coat the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange Potatoes: Place the halved baby potatoes in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker, which will cook thoroughly and absorb flavors from the seasoning.
- Make Seasoning Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, olive oil, Italian dressing seasoning mix, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Add Chicken and Seasoning: Arrange the chicken pieces on top of the potatoes evenly, then pour the seasoned mixture over the chicken and potatoes to coat everything uniformly.
- Cook the Dish: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked, and the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: About 10 minutes before the cooking time is complete, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken, cover, and allow it to melt slightly for a rich finishing flavor.
- Finish and Garnish: Just before serving, drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the top and garnish with chopped fresh parsley to brighten the dish and add color.
Notes
- For extra browning, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 3 to 4 minutes before serving to achieve a crispy finish.
- Add carrots or green beans during the last hour of cooking to create a complete one-pot meal with added vegetables.
- Adjust salt quantity as needed depending on the sodium content of the Italian dressing seasoning mix used.
