Slow Cooker Celery Cream Chicken
Description
Slow Cooker Celery Cream Chicken is a rich, comforting, and easy family dinner made with tender chicken simmered in a creamy celery-infused sauce. This cozy slow cooker recipe is packed with savory flavor, soft vegetables, and melt-in-your-mouth chicken that pairs perfectly with rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. It’s a simple set-it-and-forget-it meal ideal for busy weekdays.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of celery soup
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or sour cream
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp butter
Optional:
- Sliced mushrooms
- Carrots or peas
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add chopped celery, onion, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix cream of celery soup and chicken broth until smooth.
- Pour mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook:
- LOW for 6–7 hours
- HIGH for 3–4 hours
- Once chicken is tender, stir in heavy cream or sour cream and butter.
- Shred chicken slightly or leave whole, depending on preference.
- Cook uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until creamy and heated through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Servings
Serves 6
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours
- Total Time: About 7 hours
Nutritional Information (Per Serving Approx.)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
Benefits
- Easy one-pot comfort meal
- High in protein and filling
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
- Slow cooker makes chicken extra tender
- Family-friendly and budget-friendly recipe
Tips
- Use chicken thighs for extra juicy texture.
- Add potatoes or carrots for a complete meal.
- Stir in cream cheese for extra richness.
- Serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Steamed rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Warm dinner rolls
Q&A
Can I use fresh celery instead of cream of celery soup?
Yes, but the soup adds creaminess and flavor. You can make a homemade celery cream sauce if preferred.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 20 minutes.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free cream and a dairy-free soup substitute.
What’s the best chicken to use?
Boneless thighs stay the most tender, but breasts work well too.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
- Freezer: Up to 2 months
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave until warm and creamy