Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken (3 Ingredients!)

A tangy, juicy dinner that’s effortless and family-approved

This dump-and-go Cranberry Chicken is sweet-tart, savory, and perfect for busy days. Just pour, cover, and let the slow cooker do the work.

⏱️ Time & Yield

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4–6 hours (LOW) or 2–3 hours (HIGH)
Serves: 4

🧾 Ingredients (Only 3!)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
1 packet (1 oz / ~30 g) dry onion soup mix

(Optional for serving: rice, mashed potatoes, or green beans)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Add Chicken
Place raw chicken breasts in the slow cooker in a single layer.

2️⃣ Pour & Sprinkle
Spread cranberry sauce evenly over the chicken.
Sprinkle onion soup mix on top.

3️⃣ Cook

LOW: 5–6 hours
HIGH: 2–3 hours
Chicken is done when tender and reaches 165°F / 74°C.

4️⃣ Serve
Spoon extra sauce over chicken. Serve whole or shredded.

🌿 Flavor Notes

Sweet from cranberries
Savory from onion soup mix
Perfect balance without extra effort

🥜 Allergen & Diet Info

Nut-Free: Yes
Gluten: Check onion soup mix label
Dairy-Free: Yes
Egg-Free: Yes

Q & A

Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
Not recommended for slow cookers—thaw first for food safety.

Q: Is it very sweet?
No—pleasantly tangy. Use low-sugar cranberry sauce if preferred.

Q: Can I add veggies?
Yes! Add carrots, onions, or baby potatoes at the bottom.

Q: Can I make it in the oven?
Yes. Bake covered at 180°C / 350°F for 40–45 minutes.

Q: How do leftovers keep?
Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.

⭐ Easy Variations

Add 1 tbsp Dijon mustard for extra tang
Add ½ tsp black pepper or chili flakes for heat
Swap chicken breasts for thighs (even juicier!)

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.