With a new school year underway, we all know how hectic life can quickly become. In addition to getting the kids to school on time and making sure homework is done, you’ve got your own work, shuttling the kids to extracurriculars, errands to run, laundry to do… The last thing you want to think about some days is what you are going to feed your family that night.
So here are 3 super simple dinners you can make in your crockpot. Simply put all the ingredients in before you leave in the morning (or even the night before– just don’t forget to plug it in and turn it on the next day!) and serve when you’re ready!
Buffalo Chicken Nachos
This is one of my family’s favorites. The best part is that you don’t even have to thaw the chicken first!
What you need
2 lbs (or as needed for your family) frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 jar buffalo wing sauce
1 bag of tortilla chips
Optional: shredded Mexican style cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, chives
What you do
- Put frozen chicken in the crockpot. Cover with buffalo wing sauce.
- Turn to low for 6-8 hours. (Leaving it longer does not seem to cause issues)
- After 6-8 hours, use 2 forks to shred the chicken (still in the crockpot).
- Spoon over tortilla chips and garnish with desired toppings.
Variations
- Serve on hamburger or slider buns instead of chips for buffalo chicken sandwiches.
- Use barbecue sauce, ranch sauce, salsa verde, or other desired wing sauce or dressing instead of buffalo sauce to change up the flavor.
- Serve the chicken over rice. (Bust out that rice cooker!)
Jam Chops with Baby Carrots
What you need
boneless pork chops
any flavor jam
bag of baby carrots
What you do
- Cover the bottom of the crockpot with an even layer of baby carrots.
- Arrange the pork chops on top of the carrots in an even layer.
- Spoon your jam over the pork chops.
- Turn to low for 6-8 hours. (Again, leaving it longer doesn’t seem to cause any issues)
- Serve pork chops and carrots!
Variations
Try different flavors of jam. We have done this with orange marmalade, grape jelly, strawberry preserves, mango jam… it’s all good!
Baked Potatoes
What you need
baking potatoes (however many you need for your family)
salt
olive oil (or vegetable oil)
desired toppings (cheese, sour cream, chives, bacon…)
aluminum foil
What you do
- Clean the potatoes and then prick them each several times with a fork. Rub with oil and then sprinkle with salt.
- Wrap each potato individually with aluminum foil and place in crockpot.
- Turn to low for 7-8 hours.
- When ready to serve, carefully remove from the crockpot. Split the potatoes open with a knife and fill with desired toppings.
***Bonus meal*** Breakfast Casserole
Set this up before going to bed and have a hearty breakfast ready when you wake up!
What you need
1 bag frozen hashbrowns
10-12 strips of bacon
1 cup milk
1 onion, peeled and chopped
8oz bag of shredded cheese
12 eggs
salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
What you do
- Spray crockpot with cooking spray.
- Cook bacon and cut into pieces. Saute the onion.
- Layer the ingredients in this order, using 1/3 at a time and repeating until all used: frozen hashbrowns, bacon, onion, cheese.
- In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk, and seasonings, then pour over everything in the crockpot.
- Cook on low 8-10 hours.
- Go to bed and wake up to a yummy breakfast casserole.
Variations
- Use cooked sausage or chopped ham instead of/in addition to bacon.
- Add veggies.