Home / Food and Recipes / 20 Easy Dump Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners
dump chicken tikka masala on a bed of white rice

20 Easy Dump Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners

/Updated /17 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt

It’s 5:15. You haven’t thought about dinner once today. And somewhere in the back of your mind, a small voice is already whispering “drive-thru.” I know that voice. I’ve listened to it more times than I’d like to admit. But here’s the thing… I finally found a way to shut it up, and it’s so simple it almost feels like cheating. It’s called dump chicken. Yes, that’s really the name. No, it’s not glamorous. But it might just save your weeknights.

dump chicken tikka masala on a bed of white rice

You dump raw chicken and a handful of sauce ingredients into a gallon freezer bag. Seal it. Label it. Toss it in the freezer. That’s it. That’s the whole “recipe.”

When you’re ready to eat, thaw the bag overnight in the fridge, dump the contents into your slow cooker, and walk away. Six hours later you’ve got dinner. Serve it over rice or pasta and nobody has to know you spent less time on this than you did picking out what to watch on Netflix.

Cheaper than takeout. Faster than the drive-thru line. And a whole lot better for you than anything that comes in a paper bag.

Best part? Most of these recipes use stuff you probably already have in your pantry. No mystery ingredients, no special trip to a fancy grocery store.

The Basics

Each recipe below is built for about two pounds of raw chicken. That’s four to eight pieces, bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless, even a whole bird if that’s your thing. Play around and see what your family likes.

Mix up the sauce, toss it in a freezer bag with the chicken, seal it, and freeze. Or if tonight’s the night, skip the freezer altogether and dump everything straight into the slow cooker.

To cook, thaw overnight in the fridge, then pour the whole bag into your slow cooker on low for 4 to 6 hours. Every slow cooker runs a little different, so keep an eye on it the first time.

One note: if you’re doubling or halving the chicken, adjust the sauce ingredients to match. Common sense, but worth saying.

No Slow Cooker? No Problem

Dump everything into a 9×13 baking pan and bake at 350ยฐF until the chicken hits 165ยฐF internally. Breasts usually take 25 to 45 minutes depending on thickness. Dark meat runs a little longer.

Which Cut Should You Actually Buy?

types of chicken cuts

Now, before we get to the recipes, let’s talk money for a second, because that’s really why you’re here.

Beef prices have gotten downright rude lately, which means more of us are turning to chicken. But not all chicken is priced the same, and knowing which cut to grab makes a real difference at checkout.

Boneless, skinless cuts cost more because someone had to do the trimming for you. So if you want the lowest price per pound, look for bone-in, skin-on thighs. They’re juicier than breasts, more forgiving if you overcook them a touch, and they crisp up beautifully.

Drumsticks cost even less than thighs. Less demand keeps the price down, and all that bone and connective tissue turns tender and flavorful after a long, slow cook… exactly the kind of cooking these dump recipes are built for.

And if you really want the best price in the whole meat department, buy a whole chicken. You’re not paying anyone to break it down for you, so it’s the cheapest option per pound, hands down. Some stores will even butcher it into the pieces you want at no extra charge if you ask. Always ask. The worst they can say is no.

Any of these cuts work beautifully in the recipes below. Thighs and drumsticks especially. Dark meat holds up better to a long slow-cooker session than breast meat does, so don’t be afraid to swap them in wherever a recipe calls for “chicken.”

The Recipes

freezer bag full of dump chicken for easy weeknight meal

Mix the sauce ingredients, dump them in the bag with your chicken, and you’re set. Two pounds of chicken per recipe.

Chicken Cacciatore

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 (24 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Basic BBQ Chicken

  • Chicken
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons dry onion soup mix

Caribbean Chicken

  • Chicken
  • 1 (8 oz.) can pineapple chunks with juice
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup raisins

Lemon and Garlic Chicken

  • Chicken
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Honey Sriracha Chicken

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha (or other hot sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce

Russian Chicken

  • Chicken
  • 2/3 cup apricot preserves
  • 16 oz. Russian salad dressing
  • 2 packages dry onion soup mix

Sticky Chicken

  • Chicken
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup

Cantonese Chicken

  • Chicken
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Chicken for Quesadillas

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup jalapeรฑos, chopped (seeds in or out… your call on the heat)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 4 1/2 tablespoons homemade)

Salsa Chicken

  • Chicken breasts
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 4 1/2 tablespoons homemade)

Teriyaki Chicken

  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced ginger (optional)

Spiced Citrus Chicken

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

Spicy Sweet Glazed Chicken

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2/3 cup apricot preserves
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco, or to taste

Garlic Dijon Chicken

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon juice)

Honey Sesame Chicken

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pepper Lime Chicken

  • 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Chicken Tikka Masala

  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut bite-size
  • 1 (29 oz.) can tomato puree
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1/2 small lemon
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Mediterranean Chicken

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (12 oz.) jar roasted red peppers, drained and diced
  • 1 (10.2 oz.) jar pitted kalamata olives, drained and chopped
  • 4 oz. feta crumbles
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Tuscan Chicken

  • Boneless, skinless chicken
  • 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (6 oz.) can tomato sauce
  • 2 oz. fresh baby spinach
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (1 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Pepperoncini Herb Chicken

  • Chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
  • 10 whole pepperoncini peppers
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini brine
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced

Your Move

Pick two or three of these, stock up on chicken thighs while they’re cheap, and spend twenty minutes this weekend filling freezer bags. Future-you, standing in the kitchen at 5:15 with no idea what’s for dinner, is going to be so relieved.

 

Question: Which of these 20 combinations are you trying first? Got a family favorite dump chicken recipe of your own? Tell me in the comments. I’m always looking to add a good one to the repertory.

This roundup is just one of the tips I share every day. Subscribers get all of them, free, straight to their inbox. Skip the newsletter and you’re missing about 4 out of every 5 things I publish. Subscribe free โ†’

EverydayCheapskateโ„ข is reader-supported. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More from Everyday Cheapskate

slow cooker hot weather meals salads plus pico de gallo recipes

3 Slow Cooker Summer Salads for Hot Weather Dinners

a woman holding a crate of cucumbers

Cucumbers Galore? Here’s What to Do With Every Single One

what to pack for kids lunchboxes young boy and girl eating a banana and a sandwich

Back-to-School Lunch Ideas for a Week (No Boring Sandwiches)

refreshing glasses of iced tea with fresh lemon slices and ice best way to make tea

The Best Way to Make Iced Tea? Depends What You’re After

creamy whipped frozen coffee drink on balcony with whipped cream

I Stopped Buying $7 Frappuccinos. Here’s What I Make Now

a lit sparkler with an american flag in the background 4th of july hacks tips and recipes

34 Fourth of July Recipes and DIY Hacks for a Stress-Free Holiday

Grilled Peaches with Balsamic and Blue Cheese

Summer Grilled Peaches with Balsamic and Blue Cheese

cheesy chicken and rice casserole in a baking dish

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Bake That Disappears at Family Dinners

delicious creamy no churn vanilla ice cream scoop and loaf pan

3-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream (No Machine Needed)



Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines



Caught yourself reading all the way 'til the end? Why not share with a friend.

17 replies
  1. Amy Crow says:

    Mary-thank you so much for these recipes! I have been a loyal reader for years. I buy large bags of frozen chicken breasts from Walmart or Costco, and I run out of ideas for what to make with them. I love the fact that there are so many options, and can’t wait to try some of them.

    Reply
  5. Carol says:

    I really wanted to print these off as they look delicious and great to have on hand. However, it prints with all the comments and adds and I can’t seem to copy and paste theme in a concise manner. Is there someway I can just print the dump chicken recipes so it just takes a few sheets of paper. Thank You.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Yes. Make sure you are using either Firefox or Safari browser. Next scroll all the way to the bottom of the post until you get to the comments area. There you will see a big Orange PRINT button. Click on that. Now you will see the post in a different format. You can delete any sections you want, leaving only what you wish to print. When you have it the way you like, hit “Print” again.

      At this time this function is not compatible with Chrome.

      Reply
    • Nancy says:

      In Chrome, highlight article and copy and paste as text only to Word document. Then you can edit however you want. Change the margins, size of text, spacing, etc.

      Reply
  6. Jan says:

    These sound amazing! I can’t wait to try them. With the cost of meat, we’ve been eating lots of chicken – so more fun ways to make it can’t hurt!!

    Reply
  7. Eileen says:

    Any reason why you couldn’t use boneless thighs or even whole thighs (cheaper and my family likes them) with these recipes.

    Reply
  8. Sandra Marvin says:

    Remind everyone that once they seal the bag they need to turn the bag over several times (or shake it) to get all the seasoning and sauces on all the pieces of chicken.

    Reply
    • I was wishing the same thing! I donโ€™t even use my slow cooker anymore but I use the I start pot all the time. These would be great to try. says:

      I would love the times to make these in my instant pot!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says:

        With frozen chicken: 15 minutes on high, quick release
        (When done, Use meat thermometer to double check)
        With thawed chicken 10 minutes on high, quick release
        (Again,when finished double check with meat thermometer)

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How to Achieve Perfectly Dry Lettuce Without a Salad Spinnersalad spinnerscrock pot casserole slow cookerCrockpot Casserole Slow Cooker: A Review