Fall might look a little different here in Florida, but that doesn’t stop me from bringing out the slow cooker and making all the cozy comfort foods! This October, I’ve been sharing a little series over on Instagram called Crocktober, where I’m making easy slow cooker dinners that are perfect for busy families.
Between school drop-off, afternoon pickup, baseball, gymnastics, and everything else that comes with having three kids, dinnertime can get a little chaotic around here. By the time everyone is home and we’re working through our evening routines, the last thing I want to do is spend an hour figuring out what to cook. That’s why I’ve been trying to get back into using my slow cooker more often, and Crocktober has been the perfect excuse!
I’m not trying to make elaborate meals or spend a fortune on groceries. I want simple recipes with ingredients I can easily find, meals that don’t take forever to prepare, and dinners that my family will actually eat.
Why I’m Loving Crocktober This Year
One of my biggest goals lately has been finding ways to make our weekdays run a little smoother. I’ve been working on getting more organized, creating better routines, and finding a balance between being home with the kids and running my content creation business.
Dinner is one of those things that can completely throw off our evening if I don’t have a plan. And while I love the convenience of ordering takeout sometimes, I also want us to get back into the habit of eating more meals at home.
That’s where my slow cooker comes in! I can get dinner started earlier in the day, let it cook while I’m working or running errands, and have one less thing to worry about when the evening rush begins.
Plus, there’s just something about walking into the kitchen and smelling dinner that’s been cooking all afternoon that makes the house feel a little cozier.
Crocktober Recipe #1: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
The first recipe I shared for Crocktober was chicken and dumplings, and it’s exactly the kind of comfort food I start craving when fall rolls around. It’s creamy, filling, and one of those meals that feels like you’ve spent the entire afternoon cooking, even though the slow cooker does most of the work.
For an easy version, you’ll need:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
- Optional: frozen mixed vegetables
How to Make It:
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, diced onion, and seasonings.
- Cover and cook on low for approximately 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Cut the refrigerated biscuit dough into small pieces and gently stir them into the mixture.
- Cover and continue cooking on high for approximately 1–2 hours, or until the biscuits are fully cooked in the center. If you’re adding vegetables, stir them in before adding the biscuits.
And that’s it! A warm, comforting dinner without spending the entire evening standing over the stove.
Crocktober Recipe #2: Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Another meal I’ve been wanting to add to our Crocktober rotation is a classic pot roast. This is one of those dinners that reminds me of Sunday afternoons, and I love that you can make an entire meal in one pot.
Here’s an easy version I’m planning to try!
Ingredients:
- 3–4 pound chuck roast
- 1 pound baby potatoes
- 4 large carrots, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It:
- Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. If you have a few extra minutes, sear it in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker for additional flavor.
- Place the potatoes, carrots, and onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the roast on top of the vegetables.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and gravy mix over everything.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the roast is fork-tender.
I love that this recipe has your protein, vegetables, and potatoes all together, so there’s no need to make a bunch of different side dishes.
Crocktober Recipe #3: Easy Fiesta Chicken
Not every slow cooker meal has to be traditional comfort food! I’ve also been wanting to add a fiesta chicken recipe to our rotation because it’s something we can serve in so many different ways.
You can use this chicken for rice bowls, tacos, burritos, or even over tortilla chips for an easy dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 jar (16 ounces) salsa
- 1 can black beans or red beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, optional
- Shredded Mexican-style cheese for serving
How to Make It:
- Place the chicken breasts in your slow cooker.
- Add the salsa, beans, corn, and taco seasoning.
- Stir the ingredients around the chicken to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Shred the chicken and stir everything together.
- For a creamier version, add the cream cheese during the final 30 minutes and stir until completely melted.
Serve over rice, inside tortillas, or with your favorite toppings for a dinner that everyone can customize.
My Tips for Making Slow Cooker Meals Easier
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that having a few easy dinners planned can make such a difference during the school week. I’m definitely not someone who has every meal perfectly planned weeks in advance, but I’ve been trying to create small habits that make our evenings less stressful.
One thing that helps is deciding on a couple of slow cooker meals before the week starts and making sure I have the ingredients ready to go. I also love recipes that use many of the same pantry staples because it makes grocery shopping so much easier.
And don’t underestimate leftovers! If I’m making a big pot roast or shredded chicken, I love being able to use the extras for lunch or another dinner later in the week. Just be sure to refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat them thoroughly.
My biggest tip is to keep it simple. You don’t need a complicated recipe with twenty ingredients to make a dinner your family will enjoy.
Making More Time for What Matters
Something I’ve been working on this year is creating routines that give me more time to actually enjoy our evenings instead of constantly feeling like I’m trying to catch up.
I want to have time to sit down with the kids, hear about their days, help with homework, and enjoy the little moments without feeling like I’m rushing from one task to another.
And while a slow cooker isn’t going to magically make our afternoons less chaotic, having dinner taken care of definitely helps!
Crocktober has been such a fun way to try new recipes, make more meals at home, and bring a little extra comfort into our fall routine. I’m excited to keep adding recipes throughout the season and hopefully find a few new family favorites along the way.
If you’re looking for easy dinner ideas that don’t require spending hours in the kitchen, I hope these recipes give you a little inspiration for your own Crocktober!
You can follow along with all of our Crocktober dinners, everyday motherhood moments, and family adventures over on Instagram at @topknots_and_littletots.
And be sure to check back here at Topknots and Littletots for more easy family recipes and meal inspiration!