Everything Chicken (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Ingredients

• 3 medium, boneless and skinless chicken breasts, halvedchicken breasts
• 100 g (1 cup)dry elbow macaroni
• 1 smallonion, sliced
• 480 ml (2 cups)water
• 240 ml (1 cup)chicken broth
• 1 can (425 g / 15 oz)chicken broth
• 1 can (170 g / 6 oz), with juicesliced black olives
• 1 small can, with juiceartichoke hearts
• 5 cloves, mincedgarlic
• 1 envelopedry savoury garlic soup mix

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the oil

   Heat oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat.

2. 2

   Brown the chicken

   Cook the chicken for 2 minutes on each side.

3. 3

   Add to cooker

   Place the chicken in the slow cooker.

4. 4

   Add the onion

   Spread the sliced onion over the chicken.

5. 5

   Mix the ingredients

   In a large bowl, mix all the remaining ingredients except the dry soup mix.

6. 6

   Pour over chicken

   Pour the mixture over the chicken.

7. 7

   Add soup mix

   Sprinkle the dry soup mix over the top.

8. 8

   Cover the cooker

   Put the lid on the slow cooker.

9. 9

   Cook on low

   Cook on Low for 4½ hours.

What is Everything Chicken?

This American-style slow-cooker dinner brings chicken, macaroni and a mix of savoury additions together in one pot. The recipe’s combination of broth, olives, artichoke hearts and garlic soup mix gives it a more layered flavour than a plain chicken-and-pasta supper.

The chicken is briefly cooked in a frying pan before it goes into the slow cooker, then the remaining ingredients are added around it. That makes the final cooking stage mostly hands-off.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 330 calories, 32g protein, 27g carbs, 9g fat.

The macaroni supplies most of the carbohydrates, while the chicken provides much of the protein. Fat comes mainly from the chicken and the oil used in the pan; broth, canned ingredients and the soup mix can contribute considerable sodium. Serve with green vegetables or salad to round out the plate.

Why the ingredients work

Chicken breasts: halving them makes the pieces more manageable for cooking in the slow cooker. The brief pan-cooking step adds some colour before they go into the pot.

Olives and artichokes: both go in with their juice, as specified, so keep those liquids rather than draining the cans. The soup mix brings extra savoury garlic seasoning.

The slow-cooker liquid

Broth and water: the recipe uses both, along with the juices from the olives and artichokes. Stir the macaroni through the liquid mixture in the bowl so it is distributed before pouring it over the chicken.

Macaroni: the pasta cooks in the slow cooker with the other ingredients. The recipe does not specify a separate pasta-cooking step, so use it dry as listed.

Getting the chicken ready

Pan step: cook the chicken for 2 minutes on each side over a medium heat after heating oil in the pan. This is a brief cook, not a step to cook the chicken through.

Layering: place the chicken in the slow cooker first, then spread the onion over it. Pour the mixed ingredients on top and finish with the soup mix.

Doneness and texture

Timing: cook the covered dish on Low for 4½ hours. Slow cookers can vary, so check that the chicken is cooked through before serving.

Pasta: expect the macaroni to soften as it cooks in the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid unnecessarily, since the recipe relies on a covered, steady cook.

Serving ideas

Serve the chicken with the macaroni and spoon some of the olives, artichokes and cooking liquid over each portion. A simple green salad or steamed vegetables can add freshness alongside the rich, savoury sauce.

For a more substantial plate, pair it with a cooked green vegetable rather than adding another starchy side.

Recipe notes & tips

• Keep the olive and artichoke juices, as the recipe adds them to the slow cooker.
• Halve the chicken breasts before starting so they are ready for the brief pan-cooking step.
• Use a large bowl to mix the broth, water, macaroni and canned ingredients evenly.
• Keep the dry soup mix separate until the other mixture has been poured over the chicken.
• Check that the chicken is cooked through before serving, as slow cookers can vary.

Variations

• Add herbs: stir dried parsley or thyme into the broth mixture for an herbal note.
• Use wholemeal pasta: swap in wholemeal elbow macaroni, allowing for a different final texture.
• Choose green olives: use sliced green olives in place of black olives for a sharper flavour.
• Add vegetables: include chopped courgette with the other ingredients for extra vegetables.
• Finish with cheese: scatter grated cheese over the portions just before serving.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Draining the cans: the recipe calls for the olives and artichokes with their juice, so add that liquid too.
• Adding soup mix to the bowl: keep it separate and sprinkle it over the top after pouring in the other mixture.
• Cooking the chicken fully in the pan: the listed pan time is only 2 minutes per side before slow cooking.
• Using cooked macaroni: add the macaroni dry as listed so it cooks in the slow cooker.
• Lifting the lid repeatedly: leave the cooker covered during the 4½-hour Low setting and check near the end.

How to store

Cool leftovers promptly, then store them in a covered container in the fridge and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout, adding a splash of water or broth if the macaroni has absorbed much of the liquid.

Frequently asked questions