Slow Cooker Celery Cream Chicken

Description

Slow Cooker Celery Cream Chicken is a rich, comforting, and easy family-style meal made with tender chicken slowly cooked in a creamy celery-infused sauce. The slow cooker allows the chicken to absorb savory flavors while staying juicy and soft. This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or steamed vegetables.

The cream of celery adds a subtle herbal flavor and velvety texture, making this recipe ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or cozy dinners.

Prep Time & Cook Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5–6 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
• Total Time: About 6 hours

Servings

• Serves: 4–6 people

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, sliced thin
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ cup sour cream or heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly grease the slow cooker insert or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Add Ingredients

Place chicken into the slow cooker. Add onion, celery, garlic, thyme, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together cream of celery soup and chicken broth. Pour over the chicken.

Step 4: Slow Cook

Cover and cook:

• LOW: 5–6 hours
  or
• HIGH: 3–4 hours

Cook until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Step 5: Finish the Cream Sauce

Remove chicken briefly. Stir sour cream into the sauce.

If a thicker sauce is desired:

• Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water.
• Stir into the slow cooker.
• Cook another 10–15 minutes until thickened.

Step 6: Serve

Return chicken to the sauce and garnish with fresh parsley.

Serve warm over:

• Rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Pasta
• Biscuits
• Cauliflower mash

Recipe Notes

• Chicken thighs provide extra tenderness and richer flavor.
• Cream of mushroom soup can replace cream of celery if needed.
• Add carrots or peas for more vegetables.
• Use reduced-fat soup and light sour cream for a lighter version.
• For extra flavor, sear the chicken before slow cooking.

Helpful Tips

Best Chicken Choice

Chicken thighs stay moister during long cooking times, while breasts are leaner.

Prevent Curdling

Add sour cream near the end of cooking to keep the sauce smooth.

Extra Creamy Version

Mix in:

• Cream cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Heavy cream

Storage Tips

• Refrigerate up to 4 days.
• Freeze up to 2 months in airtight containers.

Nutritional Information

(Approximate per serving — based on 6 servings)

Health Benefits

High in Protein

Chicken supports muscle growth, repair, and fullness.

Comforting Yet Balanced

The celery-based sauce offers flavor without needing excessive butter or cheese.

Slow Cooking Advantage

Slow cooking helps retain moisture and develops deeper flavor naturally.

Customizable

Easy to make lower-carb, gluten-free, or higher-protein.

Variations

Low-Carb Version

Serve with:

• Zucchini noodles
• Cauliflower rice
• Steamed broccoli

Herb Version

Add:

• Fresh rosemary
• Sage
• Tarragon

Vegetable Boost

Include:

• Mushrooms
• Green beans
• Spinach
• Frozen peas

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, but thawing first is recommended for even cooking and food safety.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes. Use:

• Dairy-free cream soup
• Coconut cream
• Plant-based sour cream

How do I thicken the sauce?

Use:

• Cornstarch slurry
• Flour slurry
• Extra sour cream
• Cream cheese

Can I cook it overnight?

Yes, use LOW heat for best results.

What sides go best with this recipe?

Popular choices include:

• Mashed potatoes
• Rice
• Buttered noodles
• Roasted vegetables
• Dinner rolls

Serving Suggestions

• Serve over fluffy white rice for a classic comfort meal.
• Pair with roasted carrots or green beans.
• Add crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
• Top with cracked black pepper and fresh herbs before serving.