A sensational dinner doesn't require a sinkful of dirty dishes. Each of these 21 comforting recipes can be made in a single dish, which means they're low on maintenance and big on flavor. Many of the meals here are also freezer-friendly, so we recommend doubling up on ingredients and freezing half for (even busier) weeknights: all you'll have to do is defrost.
We've included the classics like chicken soup, beef stew, and mashed potatoes, plus plenty of fresh takes on one-pot meals like chicken taco soup you'll make in a slow cooker, curried chicken with ginger and yogurt, and pork chops with chard and white beans. As delicious as each of these easy dinners are, the true gift comes at the end of the meal when you only have one pot to clean. Suddenly, playing host for the whole family during the holidays doesn't seem so bad.
12 Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
01of 20
Spiced Lamb Meatball and Swiss Chard Stew
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lamb-meatball-stew_1-6a9603b9829644798a5b7800ca19ca3b.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (1)")
These easy-to-make meatballs are spiced with paprika and cumin, which will add depth and richness to a simple store-bought stock. Serve with a handful of fresh greens and orzo for a no-fuss one-pot meal.
Get the recipe: Spiced Lamb Meatball and Swiss Chard Stew
02of 20
Chicken Taco Soup
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-taco-soup_0_0_0_0-118d20c9ed114a7bb6d878f7ce78c1c0.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (2)")
This slow-cooker chicken taco soup tastes delicious with toppings like fresh-cut herbs, grilled corn, shredded cheese, and tomatoes.
Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
03of 20
Lentil and Kielbasa Stew
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lentil-kielbasa_1-75ec307a64734230a2a1ceb12305c576.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (3)")
Here, spicy kielbasa and protein-packed lentils go from bag to bowl in under an hour—no soaking required. If you have leftovers (which is unlikely), this stew will freeze very well.
Get the recipe: Lentil and Kielbasa Stew
04of 20
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/instant-pot-mashed-potatoes-gettyimages-979130722_0-120ae05b536842188797ec65a2d4fd74.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (4)")
The benefit of cooking mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot? It frees up stove space for other parts of your meal, and there's no issue of water boiling over the edges of a pot and making a complete mess. They taste rich and delicious, too.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
05of 20
Classic Chicken Soup
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/classic-chicken-soup-1_0-b2e0c62073d94291bdf723d22fc8f9df.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (5)")
It wouldn't be a proper one-pot recipe roundup without instructions for how to make classic chicken soup. This simple yet satisfying dish takes only 15 minutes of prep time and is the ultimate cold weather cure-all.
Get the recipe: Classic Chicken Soup.
06of 20
Mustard-Roasted Chicken With Vegetables
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mustard-chicken-489fa634bd714634893f68bffb35a994.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (6)")
Roast chicken is the ultimate comfort food. This aromatic rendition gets a delicious upgrade from coarse-ground mustard, fennel, carrots, onions, and fresh thyme leaves.
Get the recipe: Mustard-Roasted Chicken With Vegetables
07of 20
Pork Chops With Chard and White Beans
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pork-chard-beans-0beec0ff7e0b46c0bd4e92dd0434a133.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (7)")
Stir a little red wine vinegar into the cooked chard before serving to add a bright tang.
Get the recipe.
08of 20
Beef and Shallot Stew
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/beef-shallot-stew-d7dbc294d04e4830941bb3db0128fd59.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (8)")
This hearty one-pot stew might be short on ingredients, but it's long on deep, satisfying flavor.
Get the recipe.
09of 20
Slow-Cooker Curried Chicken With Ginger and Yogurt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/curried-chicken-ginger_300_1-6ea3749065a14110ae177fa8f2c3c66d.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (9)")
If you like your curry extra spicy, you can turn up the heat in this delicious dish by adding an extra pinch of cayenne pepper. The rice cooks in a separate pot, but everything else comes together in a single pot.
Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Curried Chicken With Ginger and Yogurt
10of 20
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/slowcooker-chicken_300-2f4d9fa920cf4fb98abf66eaa2897bdf.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (10)")
Thanks to a rich sauce and plenty of spice, this classic Indian dish is perfect as a winter weeknight dinner.
Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
11of 20
Baked Cod and Chorizo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cod-chorizo-soup-ictcrop_300-1aee489ed3dd41fa8889310ac116542e.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (11)")
Start the meal in an ovenproof skillet on the stovetop, then add the fish and bake in the oven until the cod is cooked through.
Get the recipe.
12of 20
Chicken Riesling
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/brown-mushrooms-ictcrop_300-8986bd2ff674455598ba8102dd324b3c.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (12)")
This take on classic coq au vin gets its flavor from aromatic, fruity Riesling wine.
Get the recipe.
13of 20
Lamb Tagine With Couscous
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/red-wine-ictcrop_300-044f25c24dd14990b920e526c8264837.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (13)")
Season the lamb with paprika, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, and cinnamon to add authentic Moroccan accents.
Get the recipe.
14of 20
Mexican Chicken Soup
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-soup_300-7f85a9be73ed4af4b21e4a76d9b34723.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (14)")
Serve the soup with fresh avocados, cilantro, and lime juice to give it a Mexican flair.
Get the recipe.
15of 20
Halibut With Tomato, Orange, and Dill
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/halibut-tomato-orange_300-d4650753a5b84589b0c8495867f7d9fe.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (15)")
Olives, oranges, and tomatoes lend a bright, sunny bite to the mild halibut.
Get the recipe.
16of 20
Slow-Cooker Lamb, Apricot, and Olive Tagine
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lamb-apricot-tagine_300-9b803b83227c4a3485cfeffa231c3311.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (16)")
This delicious dish gets its Moroccan kick from paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and ginger.
Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Lamb, Apricot, and Olive Tagine
17of 20
Feta Chicken With Zucchini
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-dish-3_300-ab2046a45a1c44dab124efb8fa1bccbb.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (17)")
Salty, crumbly Feta and sliced lemon wake up roasted chicken.
Get the recipe.
18of 20
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/skillet_300-422ffee1a7364f8b9820443491b8e6ff.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (18)")
Dried apricots play up the roasted fennel's sweetness, providing a delicious contrast to the bacon-wrapped pork.
Get the recipe.
19of 20
Linguine With Spicy Shrimp
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spicy-shrimp-linguine_300-e10962c3b2e14e559feb35c39aedacff.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (19)")
Crushed red pepper, garlic, and lemon zest give this dish plenty of zing.
Get the recipe.
20of 20
Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spinach-frittata-greens_300-498c5ffdd25d4f6799ebafdabda4202c.jpg "21 Easy One-Pot Meals for Fuss-Free Entertaining - Real Simple (20)")
Round out this meal—great for a light dinner, lunch, or brunch—with a simple green salad and country bread.
Get the recipe.
