Effortless Slow Cooker Recipes: 10 Delicious Meals with Just 2 Ingredients

One of the most appealing aspects of using a slow cooker is its remarkable simplicity, both in the cooking process and the minimal ingredients required. These slow cooker meals are not only incredibly easy to prepare but also deliver absolutely delicious results.

With the slow cooker, you can transform just a few basic items into a satisfying and flavorful meal. Most of the time, all you need is the main meat ingredient, and you likely already have the rest of the necessary items stocked in your pantry, making these recipes perfect for staying within budget.

There’s an abundance of fantastic recipes you can create with a slow cooker. To get you started, I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 favorite slow cooker recipes, each requiring only two main ingredients, making dinner preparation incredibly simple and stress-free.

Why are Slow Cooker Recipes So Popular?

Slow cookers have become a staple in many households due to their convenience and versatility. For working parents, a slow cooker is a game-changer. It allows them to prepare a delicious and nutritious dinner while they’re at work, ensuring a nearly ready meal awaits them when they arrive home. It’s also an excellent option for those days when you know you’ll be busy and don’t want to spend time or energy cooking dinner.

The aroma of a slow-cooked roast filling the house after a long day is undeniably comforting and inviting. This welcoming scent is just one of the many reasons why slow cooker recipes are so beloved.

What Type of Meals Can You Make in a Slow Cooker?

The possibilities with a slow cooker are virtually endless. You can prepare a wide variety of meals, including hearty soups, flavorful pasta dishes, tender beef roasts, succulent chicken entrees, crowd-pleasing appetizers, and much more. The key is to find recipes that you enjoy and save them for future use.

Slow cooking is also a fantastic way to tenderize tougher cuts of meat, making them incredibly delicious and easy to eat. The low and slow cooking process breaks down connective tissues, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to resist.

Top 10 Slow Cooker Recipes with 2 Ingredients!

Below, you’ll find a collection of my favorite two-ingredient slow cooker recipes. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Each recipe is simple, straightforward, and requires minimal effort.

Pork Chops and Gravy

This classic combination of pork chops and gravy is a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening. The slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a rich and flavorful dish that the whole family will love.

Ingredients:

4-7 boneless pork chops
10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
10.5 oz water (fill the cream of chicken soup can with water)

Directions

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup and water until well combined.
Place the pork chops in the bottom of the slow cooker and pour the cream of soup mixture over the top. Gently stir to coat the pork chops on both sides. Cover with the lid. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the pork chops are tender.

Shredded Chicken Tacos

These shredded chicken tacos are a crowd-pleasing favorite. The slow cooker makes the chicken incredibly tender and flavorful, perfect for piling onto tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

2-3 lbs chicken breast
3 tbsp taco seasoning
16 oz tomato salsa (any brand will work)
Optional toppings for the end:
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced Tomatoes
- Guacamole
- Shredded Cheese

Directions

Place chicken into the slow cooker, sprinkle with taco seasoning, then pour the salsa over the top. Cover with the lid. Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 5 hours.
Shred the chicken in the slow cooker and serve in tortillas with your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken

This buffalo chicken recipe is perfect for game day or any casual gathering. The slow cooker infuses the chicken with bold buffalo flavor, making it irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup franks red hot sauce (or any buffalo sauce)
1 Tbsp ranch seasoning
Optional Toppings:
- Hamburger buns
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Cheese

Directions

Place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce and ranch seasoning over the top. Cover with the lid.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
Shred the chicken with two forks or a meat masher in the slow cooker so the chicken can absorb the sauce. Enjoy!

Italian Chicken

This Italian chicken recipe is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. The slow cooker creates tender and flavorful chicken that’s perfect for topping pasta, rice, or sandwiches.

Ingredients

4-5 chicken breasts
3/4 cups Italian salad dressing (I recommend the olive garden brand)
Optional ways to serve:
- Over rice
- Over pasta
- In bread

Directions

Place the chicken and Italian dressing into the slow cooker and cover with the lid. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or until the chicken is tender. Shred and serve.

Enchilada Chicken

This enchilada chicken recipe is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the flavors of enchiladas without all the work. The slow cooker infuses the chicken with rich enchilada flavor, making it perfect for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.

Ingredients

4-5 chicken breasts
28 oz can red enchilada sauce
Optional ways to serve:
- Over rice
- In tortillas
- As enchilada filling

Directions

Place the chicken and enchilada sauce into the slow cooker and cover with the lid. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or until the chicken has cooked through.
Shred the chicken and serve.

Italian Meatballs

These Italian meatballs are a classic comfort food that’s perfect for a cozy night in. The slow cooker makes the meatballs incredibly tender and flavorful, perfect for serving over pasta or rice.

Ingredients

32 oz bag Italian style frozen meatballs
2 – 24 oz jars marinara sauce
Optional ways to serve:
- Over Pasta
- Over Rice
- Hoagie rolls to make meatball subs

Directions

Place the bag of meatballs and marinara sauce into the slow cooker. Stir well, cover with the lid and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Serve.

Barbecue Pork Chops

These barbecue pork chops are a simple and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. The slow cooker infuses the pork chops with smoky barbecue flavor, making them incredibly tender and delicious.

Ingredients:

4-6 boneless pork chops
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup water
Optional ways to serve:
- Over rice
- Over mashed potatoes
- With a baked potato
- Over cauliflower rice

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce and water.
Place pork chops into the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the top and gently stir the pork chops around to get coated in the sauce.
Cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the pork chops are tender.

Seasoned Chicken Legs

These seasoned chicken legs are a budget-friendly and flavorful meal that’s perfect for a family dinner. The slow cooker makes the chicken legs incredibly tender and juicy, with a delicious blend of spices.

Ingredients:

3-5 lbs chicken legs
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp paprika
Optional ways to serve:
- Over seasoned rice
- With pasta salad on the side

Directions:

Place the chicken into the slow cooker. Sprinkle the seasonings over the top cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the chicken is tender. Serve.

Pepperoncini Roast

This pepperoncini roast is a flavorful and easy meal that’s perfect for a potluck or family gathering. The slow cooker makes the roast incredibly tender and flavorful, with a tangy kick from the pepperoncini peppers.

Ingredients:

5-6 lb chuck roast
16-32 oz jar Pepperoncini peppers with the juice (use a 16 oz jar of pepperoncini peppers if you are not a huge fan of the peppers)
1/2 cup water
Optional ways to serve:
- Over mashed potatoes
- Over egg noodles
- In dinner rolls
- Over rice

Directions:

Place roast, Pepperoncini peppers, and water into the slow cooker and cover with the lid. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the meat is tender. Serve.

Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks:

These barbecue chicken drumsticks are a classic barbecue favorite that’s made even easier with the slow cooker. The drumsticks are cooked until tender and then finished under the broiler for a sticky, glazed finish.

Ingredients:

Dry Rub
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp mustard
- dash of cayenne pepper
Drumsticks
- 1 1/4 cups bbq sauce
- 6-12 chicken drumsticks
Optional ways to serve:
- Along side of a side salad
- Over rice
- With potatoes

Directions:

In a small bowl mix the dry rub together.
In a greased slow cooker, add the drumsticks and the dry rub. Coat the drumsticks evenly with the rub and work it in with your hands.
Add in 1 cup of the bbq sauce, cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
Once the 6-7 hours is up, remove from the slow cooker and place on a sheet pan. Add 1/4 cup more bbq sauce on top and brush all over the drumsticks. Place under the broiler for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and turns into a glaze. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Round-Up

Now that you’ve explored these recipes, take some time to plan your menu. I’d love to hear which ones you’re planning to make this month. I’m excited to hear how much you enjoy these easy and delicious slow cooker recipes!

And if you have any favorite simple slow cooker recipes of your own, please share them!

Quick Links for Making Dinner Easy:

Family meal plans
Tools for the kitchen and more
The best cookbook for family dinner recipes
FREE budget meal plan
Cooking videos to watch

If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let me know how much you liked them!