Chicken and Potatoes One-Pot Meal

This slow cooker chicken and potatoes recipe transforms simple ingredients into a comforting, complete meal with minimal effort. Five ingredients and just minutes of prep time deliver a hearty dinner that practically cooks itself while you handle life's other demands.

I discovered this recipe during a particularly hectic week when I needed something that required minimal kitchen time. The aroma that filled my home as it cooked convinced me that sometimes the simplest recipes truly deliver the most satisfying results.

Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks provide rich flavor and stay juicy during the long cooking process
• Baby potatoes hold their shape well in the slow cooker and require zero chopping
• Carrots add natural sweetness and essential nutrients to balance the meal
• Olive oil helps the seasonings adhere and prevents sticking
• Herb and garlic seasoning creates complexity without requiring a spice cabinet full of individual herbs

Step-by-Step Instructions

Combine Ingredients

Place chicken drumsticks, baby potatoes, and carrot chunks in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herb and garlic seasoning. Toss everything together until each piece is well coated with oil and seasonings. The oil helps the seasonings distribute evenly and promotes better browning.

Transfer to Slow Cooker

Carefully transfer the seasoned ingredients to your slow cooker insert. Arrange in an even layer if possible for more consistent cooking. No need to add any liquid as the chicken and vegetables will release their own juices during cooking.

Set Cooking Time

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the potatoes should be fork tender when done. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your specific slow cooker model.

Optional Finishing Touch

For crispier chicken skin, transfer the cooked drumsticks to a baking sheet and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or brown them in a skillet with butter as suggested in the recipe notes. This extra step adds wonderful texture contrast to the tender slow-cooked meat.

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My favorite part about this recipe is how the vegetables absorb the savory chicken flavor as they cook. The carrots develop a wonderful sweetness that pairs perfectly with the herb-seasoned chicken, creating a delicious sauce at the bottom of the pot that I sometimes thicken into gravy.

Make-Ahead Options

This dish can be prepped the night before by combining all ingredients in a bowl and storing covered in the refrigerator. Simply transfer to your slow cooker in the morning for a ready-when-you-are dinner. The leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, with the flavors becoming even more pronounced overnight.

Simple Variations

Try switching up the seasoning blend to create different flavor profiles. Italian seasoning with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving creates a Mediterranean version. Cajun seasoning with a splash of hot sauce adds a spicy kick. You can also use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks for even more tender meat, or add sliced onions and bell peppers for additional vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

While this dish is a complete meal on its own, a simple green salad or steamed broccoli makes a refreshing accompaniment. For heartier appetites, serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices. Consider making the optional gravy mentioned in the recipe notes by straining the cooking liquid and thickening it with cornstarch for an extra special touch.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?

Yes, boneless or bone-in chicken thighs work perfectly in this dish. They have similar cooking times to drumsticks and will become equally tender and flavorful. Adjust cooking time slightly if using boneless thighs (about 30 minutes less).

→ What herb and garlic seasoning works best?

Any store-bought herb and garlic seasoning blend works well. Popular options include Italian herb seasoning with garlic, herbs de Provence with garlic, or poultry seasoning with added garlic powder. You can also make your own by combining dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

→ Can I add other vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely! This dish is very versatile. Try adding quartered onions, celery chunks, parsnips, or sweet potatoes. Just be mindful that softer vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini should be added during the last hour of cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.

→ How do I make gravy from the drippings?

Strain the liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. In a separate bowl, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with equal parts cold water until smooth. Add this slurry to the saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

→ Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can prepare all ingredients the night before and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply transfer everything to your slow cooker and start cooking. You can also fully cook the dish and refrigerate or freeze portions for easy reheating later.

→ What's the best way to achieve crispy chicken skin?

After the chicken is fully cooked in the slow cooker, place the drumsticks on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes until the skin crisps up. Alternatively, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the cooked drumsticks for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy.