Summertime is here! If your house is anything like mine, schedules change weekly, and with the longer days and nights, it seems like my kids are constantly eating. I feel like I’m an endless snack slinger, and while grilling is the easiest way to get them all fed on a weeknight, sometimes it’s just not feasible based on ongoing summer sports schedules.
Plus, how many burgers and hotdogs can you eat every week? Actually, don’t answer that…
To help out my fellow parents and caregivers, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite crockpot and one-skillet meals, perfect summer recipes for these long days. These meals are some of my favorites because they are easy to prepare and delicious. They are fan favorites all around in our house.
1. Pulled Pork (or Chicken) Sliders with Homemade Cole Slaw
This is a staple in my house and can be made with either pork or chicken. This is our family recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 1 pork loin
- 3 cups ketchup
- 6 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcester sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon (if desired)
Mix all the ingredients besides the protein together. Add your protein and make sure it’s coated well. Cook in the crockpot on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred and serve! Make sure you finish it off with some homemade cole slaw—it adds the perfect amount of tanginess and crunch to this easy weeknight dinner.
2. Crockpot Russian Chicken
You can easily double the recipe if you have a larger family like mine!
Ingredients
- 1 8oz bottle of Russian dressing
- 1 8oz jar of apricot preserves
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or any chicken on the bone
Arrange the chicken pieces in the crock pot. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and pour over the chicken. Please give it a mix so all the chicken is coated. Cook on low for 8 hours. I like to steam broccoli and throw it in at the end with some water chestnuts for veggies and serve over rice with sesame seeds.
3. Rotel Taco Soup
I make this easy and filling meal with ground beef, chicken, or turkey. I serve it with sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips. Everyone adds what they want!
4. Slow Cooker Ribs
We prefer pork ribs to beef in our house and love to finish these off for ten minutes in the oven for a little more crispiness. Serve with a salad, beans, and corn for a well-rounded meal!
5. One Pan Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Everything about this recipe is easy, from using a rotisserie chicken to only one skillet. Serve it up with some sour cream and avocado. My kids love this, and it’s a great leftover (if you have any leftovers)!
6. Trader Joe’s Viral Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
This is an easy and filling crowd-pleaser! And it went viral, so you need to try it too!
