Pukka Slow Cooker Wins: 5 Jamie Oliver-Inspired Chicken Recipes for Busy People
Let’s be honest. We can’t all have Jamie Oliver pop round our gaff to whip up a quick, delicious dinner. (A shame, really. I’d even do the washing up.) But we can borrow a bit of his culinary magic for our own kitchens.
Jamie’s whole vibe is about simple, honest food that’s big on flavour and low on faff. And what’s more no-fuss than a slow cooker? It’s the ultimate tool for getting a wholesome, “Jamie-style” meal on the table without spending your entire evening in the kitchen.
So, let’s channel our inner Essex lad and get some proper good grub going. Here are five slow cooker chicken recipes Jamie Oliver would definitely approve of—they’re fresh, flavour-packed, and dead easy.
1. Proper Rustic Chicken Cacciatore
This is the kind of hearty, Italian farmhouse dish that Jamie absolutely loves. It’s chunky, rich, and feels like a warm hug. Your slow cooker is perfect for letting all those beautiful flavours mingle and deepen.
Ingredients
- 4-6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on for maximum flavour
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped into chunks
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tin (400g) of good-quality chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 large glass of red wine (optional, but blooming lovely)
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- A small handful of pitted black olives (if you like ’em!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Season your chicken thighs all over with salt and pepper. For extra flavour, quickly brown them skin-side down in a hot pan first. (You can skip this, but it’s a game-changer.)
- Chuck your chopped onion, carrots, and celery into the slow cooker. Scatter the crushed garlic over the veg.
- Place the chicken thighs on top. Pour over the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, and red wine (if using). Tuck in the rosemary sprigs.
- Lid on! Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours. Stir in the olives about 30 minutes before serving. The chicken should be fall-off-the-bone tender.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s a proper, all-in-one meal. The vegetables soften and sweeten, creating an incredible sauce. Serve it with a dollop of polenta or a chunk of crusty bread to mop up the juices. IMO, the red wine adds a depth that’s totally worth it.
2. Lemony Chicken with Herbs & Greens
Jamie is a huge fan of using bright, fresh flavours to liven things up. This recipe is light, zingy, and a brilliant way to get your greens in without it feeling like a chore.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 lemon, juiced and sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 200g fresh or frozen peas
- 500ml chicken stock
- A large handful of fresh mint and parsley, roughly chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. Scatter the sliced garlic over them.
- Pour in the chicken stock and the juice of your lemon. Arrange the lemon slices on top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours.
- Add the broccoli florets and peas, stirring them into the liquid. Cook for another 45-60 minutes on HIGH, until the broccoli is tender but still has a bit of bite. Stir through the fresh herbs right before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s a fresh-tasting miracle from a slow cooker, which usually specialises in rich, heavy dishes. The herbs and lemon make it taste springy and vibrant. This is one of those Jamie Oliver chicken recipes that proves healthy can be seriously delicious.
3. Sticky & Spicy BBQ Pulled Chicken
Jamie loves a crowd-pleaser, and this pulled chicken is exactly that. It’s got that sweet, smoky, sticky thing going on, but we’re making a clever, from-scratch sauce that beats any shop-bought gloop.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (adjust to your taste!)
- 100ml chicken stock
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chopped onion and chicken thighs in your slow cooker.
- In a jug, whisk together the tomato purée, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, chilli flakes, and stock.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and give it a good stir to coat everything.
- Lid on! Cook on LOW for 6 hours. Shred the chicken directly in the pot with two forks and let it soak up all the sauce.
Why You’ll Love It
You control the sugar and the spice, making it a healthier, more flavourful alternative. It’s perfect for loading into little gem lettuce cups for a low-carb feast, or piled into soft buns for a weekend treat. It’s messy, fun, and absolutely moreish.
4. Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry
Inspired by Jamie’s love of global flavours, this curry is fragrant, creamy, and incredibly simple. It’s a brilliant way to get a fakeaway fix without any of the guilt.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped into chunks
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp curry powder or garam masala
- 1 tin (400ml) of coconut milk
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- A handful of fresh coriander
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken, onion, ginger, and garlic in your slow cooker.
- Sprinkle over the curry powder and give everything a good toss.
- Pour in the coconut milk and fish sauce. Stir to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours. Right before serving, stir in the fresh lime juice and scatter over the coriander.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s unbelievably easy and the flavour is phenomenal. The coconut milk creates a luxurious sauce that’s perfect for spooning over cauliflower rice. Using thigh meat here is crucial—it stays beautifully tender and won’t dry out like breast can. A total winner.
5. Chicken in Milk (A Jamie Classic, Adapted!)
This is a famously quirky Jamie Oliver recipe that people are often scared to try. But trust me, it works beautifully in the slow cooker. The milk breaks down and curdles, creating the most incredible, tender chicken and a delicious, savoury, lemony sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 1.5kg)
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 good handful of fresh sage leaves
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 10 cloves garlic, skin left on
- 600ml whole milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Season your whole chicken generously all over with salt and pepper.
- In a large pan, heat the oil and brown the chicken on all sides until you have a lovely golden colour. This step is non-negotiable for flavour!
- Place the cinnamon sticks, sage, lemon zest, and garlic cloves in the bottom of your large slow cooker. Carefully place the browned chicken on top.
- Pour the milk around the chicken (not over the top, to keep the skin crisp-ish). Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
It sounds bonkers, but the result is the most succulent, flavourful chicken you’ll ever taste. The sauce looks split and curdled, but don’t you dare throw it out! It’s packed with flavour and is divine spooned over the carved chicken and some mashed potato. A proper showstopper.
🔥Recommended Slow Cooker Essentials
Here are a few of my favorite slow cooker essentials that make crockpot cooking easier, faster, and way more fun.
- Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Perfect for big families or meal prepping — set it, forget it, and come home to tender, juicy meals every time.
Check it out on Amazon - Hamilton Beach 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Reliable, easy-to-use, and keeps food warm automatically — ideal for busy weeknights.
See today’s price on Amazon - Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO (8-in-1 Multi-Cooker)
Slow cook, sauté, roast, and more — one appliance that does it all for your crockpot dinners.
View it on Amazon - Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Insert
Cook two different meals at once — perfect for picky eaters or meal prep variety.
Grab it on Amazon - Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Cookbook
Packed with easy, flavorful slow cooker chicken ideas your family will love.
Get the cookbook on Amazon
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So there you have it—five slow cooker chicken recipes Jamie Oliver would be proud of. They’re all about letting good ingredients and simple techniques do the talking. No cheffy nonsense, just proper good food that makes your life easier.
Now, get your slow cooker out, channel a bit of that Jamie enthusiasm, and get cooking. You’ve got this. Pukka!
