Juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly tender, Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken is the weeknight dinner hero you didn’t know you needed. This no-fuss, five-ingredient recipe delivers bold Southern flavors with melt-in-your-mouth results—all made effortlessly in your slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken takes just minutes to prep and rewards you with a deeply savory, tangy, and slightly spicy chicken dish that’s perfect over mashed potatoes, rice, or on a bun. It’s budget-friendly, uses pantry staples, and practically cooks itself.
Pure Comfort
There’s something magical about a dish that fills your home with warm, cozy aromas while you go about your day. The blend of ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, butter, and pepperoncini peppers creates an explosion of flavor. The slow cooker transforms simple chicken breasts into rich, pull-apart goodness that’s the very definition of comfort food.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Au jus gravy mix
- Unsalted butter
- Pepperoncini peppers + a splash of juice
What You Need
- 4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 6-8 whole pepperoncini peppers
- 1–2 tablespoons pepperoncini juice (optional, but adds extra zing)
Optional for serving: sandwich buns, mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or roasted veggies.
Time to Cook
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 6-7 hours (on low) or 4 hours (on high)
Total time: Around 6–7 hours of hands-free cooking
Steps to Make It
- Layer the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. No need to sear or season ahead of time. - Add the Flavor Packs
Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and au jus gravy mix evenly over the chicken. - Top with Butter and Peppers
Place the stick of butter right on top, then scatter the pepperoncini peppers over the chicken. Add a tablespoon or two of the juice if you want more zing. - Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4 hours until the chicken is fork-tender. - Shred and Serve
Use two forks to shred the chicken in the crock pot. Stir it well to soak up all the buttery, seasoned juices. Serve warm however you like!
Make It Perfect
Want ultra-juicy chicken? Use thighs instead of breasts. They hold moisture beautifully during long cooking. Also, let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes after shredding so it can soak up even more flavor before serving.
Mix It Up
- Cheesy Style: Add a slice of provolone or mozzarella when serving on a bun.
- Spicier Version: Toss in a few extra pepperoncinis or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Creamy Twist: Mix in a little cream cheese or sour cream after shredding for a creamy version.
Perfect Partners
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Steamed rice or cauliflower rice
- Toasted sandwich buns
- Roasted green beans or broccoli
- Buttered noodles
- Cornbread or biscuits
Busy Day Hero
This recipe is the definition of “dump and go.” Toss it together before heading out and come home to a ready-to-serve dinner. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, sports practice days, or when guests are dropping by.
Work Ahead
Prep the night before by adding all ingredients to a crock pot insert and refrigerating. In the morning, just pop it into the slow cooker base and start cooking.
Save Some For Later
Mississippi Chicken stores beautifully!
- Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze shredded chicken in freezer bags (with juices) for up to 3 months.
Reheat in a skillet, microwave, or slow cooker with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.
Everyone’s Happy
This dish works for all kinds of eaters—low-carb folks can skip the bun, picky eaters usually love the savory, familiar flavors, and it’s gluten-free when you use a GF ranch mix.
Good For You Too
Using chicken breasts keeps the fat lower, and pepperoncinis are naturally low in calories. Want to go lighter? Serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
Easy Clean Up
One pot, minimal prep, no splatter, no fuss. Just toss everything in and let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting. Cleanup is a breeze—especially if you use a slow cooker liner.
Switch It Up
- Swap chicken for pork shoulder or chuck roast to make Mississippi Pork or Mississippi Pot Roast.
- Use frozen chicken (add 1 extra hour to cooking time).
- Try it in tacos, quesadillas, or sliders.
Simply Perfect
With only five core ingredients and no fancy techniques, Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken is the kind of recipe that turns into a family staple. It’s one of those dishes that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—but your secret’s safe with us.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but add about an hour to the cook time and ensure the internal temp reaches 165°F.
What if I don’t like pepperoncini peppers?
You can reduce the number or skip them altogether, though they do add great flavor without being too spicy.
Can I use a different cut of chicken?
Absolutely—thighs are great for juiciness, but drumsticks or a mix also work well.
Is it spicy?
Not really! Pepperoncinis are tangy, not hot. For more spice, add hot peppers or chili flakes.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just make sure your crock pot can handle the volume. Cooking time may increase slightly.
Do I need to add any liquid?
Nope! The chicken, butter, and pepperoncini juice create plenty of moisture.
What’s the best way to serve it?
On a bun with melted cheese, over mashed potatoes, or even stuffed in a baked potato!
Conclusion
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken is a fuss-free, flavor-packed meal that checks every box: easy, hearty, customizable, and family-approved. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, prepping lunches, or need a trusty recipe for hectic days, this one’s a keeper. Throw it in the slow cooker and come home to a ready-to-devour Southern classic.
Print
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken is a tender, juicy, and flavor-packed slow cooker recipe made with just five ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a dump-and-go dish that delivers bold Southern flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
-
4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
-
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
-
1 packet au jus gravy mix
-
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
-
6–8 whole pepperoncini peppers
-
1–2 tablespoons pepperoncini juice (optional)
Optional for Serving
-
Sandwich buns
-
Mashed potatoes
-
Rice or noodles
-
Roasted vegetables
Instructions
-
Place Chicken in Crock Pot
Arrange the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. -
Add Seasonings
Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix and au jus gravy mix evenly over the chicken. -
Top with Butter and Peppers
Place the stick of butter on top of the chicken. Add the pepperoncini peppers and optional pepperoncini juice for extra flavor. -
Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 4 hours, until chicken is fork-tender. -
Shred and Serve
Shred the chicken using two forks right in the slow cooker. Stir to coat in the juices and serve hot.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for a richer, juicier result. You can make this with frozen chicken—just increase the cook time slightly. Serve leftovers on buns, over rice, or in tacos for an easy second meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken, Slow Cooker Chicken, Mississippi Chicken Recipe, Chicken with Ranch and Pepperoncini, Easy Chicken Dinner