Small Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Dinner

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Old-fashioned comfort food for one or two> buttery, slow cooker garlic chicken tenders cooked with sweet parsnip and creamy Yukon gold potatoes. Minimal prep and one small slow cooker for a hands-off dinner perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

A fork holds a bite of shredded chicken and yellow bell pepper above a plate of white rice, chicken, and vegetables.

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Some great reasons to try this recipe:

  • Small-batch friendly: Scaled for a 2-quart slow cooker.
  • Old-fashioned flavor: Sweet parsnip + creamy potatoes + savory garlic-herb butter.
  • Set-it-and-forget-it: 10 minutes of prep, then your kitchen smells like Sunday dinner.
  • Flexible: Swap veggies, tweak herbs, or add a splash of broth for extra saucy goodness.
  • Beginner-proof: No browning needed (optional tip below if you want it).

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients displayed on a countertop: raw chicken tenders, sliced potatoes, parsnip pieces, minced garlic, butter, dried thyme and parsley, salt, and pepper.

Parsnips taste like a carrot’s cozier cousin with a sweet, nutty, and gently earthy with a light peppery finish and a hint of anise. They’re a bit starchier than carrots, so they cook up creamy and tender (especially in a slow cooker). Smaller to medium parsnips are best; if a parsnip is very thick, halve it and remove the woody core for a softer bite. If you can’t find parsnips then substitute carrot. Also you can try turnips which are less sweet.

Recipe & Cook Notes

  • Veggie size matters: Cut parsnip thick (about ¾-inch) and potato into sturdy wedges so they don’t overcook.
  • Juicier chicken tip: Nestle tenders in the center and tuck some veggies on top; this buffers heat and keeps them moist.
  • Optional sear: For a roasty flavor, quickly sear the seasoned tenders in 1 tsp oil, 1 minute per side, then proceed.
  • Saucy variation: Add ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth under the chicken before cooking for extra spoonable juices.
  • Herb swaps: Rosemary or Italian seasoning works; use ¼ tsp dried or ¾ tsp fresh.

Serving Suggestions

  • Spoon everything into a shallow bowl and drizzle the buttery juices over the top.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
  • Pair with a small green salad, buttered peas, or a warm dinner roll for soaking up the juices.

Process Images: Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken

Six-step collage showing the process of preparing a chicken, apple, and onion dish in a slow cooker, from adding raw ingredients to pouring sauce and the final cooked result.

Serving Suggestions

  • Spoon everything into a shallow bowl and drizzle the buttery juices over the top.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
  • Pair with a small green salad, buttered peas, or a warm dinner roll.
A plate of white rice topped with seasoned chicken and roasted potato wedges, with more potatoes and garlic cloves in the background.

Garlic Chicken and Vegetables

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Slow-cooked tender chicken tenders simmered in a garlic butter sauce with hearty parsnips and Yukon gold potatoes. Lightly seasoned with thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Recipe Cost: $6.98 Recipe / $3.49 Serving
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

  • ½ pound chicken tenders
  • 1 large parsnip cut thick
  • 1 Yukon gold potato cut into wedges
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon. dried parsley

Recipe Directions
 

  1. In a small bowl melt 3 tablespoons butter, and stir in 2 cloves garlic minced, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves and ¼ teaspoon. dried parsley. Set aside.
  2. Season the ½ pound chicken tenders with the ⅙ teaspoon salt, ⅙ teaspoon ground black pepper, and place the chicken in the bottom of a 2-quart slow cooker.
  3. Arrange the 1 Yukon gold potato wedges 1 large parsnip, sliced around the chicken.
  4. Pour the butter mixture over the chicken and veggies.
  5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.

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Nutrition

Serving: 2platesCalories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 27gFat: 20gSodium: 442mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4g

Notes

Carrots can be substituted for the pasnip.

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How to Store, Freeze & Reheat

  • Refrigerate: Cool, then store in an airtight container 3–4 days.
  • Freeze: Potatoes can turn mealy after freezing. If freezing, separate the chicken + parsnip with juices (up to 2 months).
  • Reheat: Microwave in 60-second bursts until hot. If dry, stir in a teaspoon of water or broth.

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