Seven simple recipes for you to make 14 Super Fast Chicken Freezer Meals that are both family friendly, beyond delicious and can easily be put together in just 90 minutes!
Easy Chicken Freezer Meals for your crockpot
Ever since I became a working mom 15 years ago, freezer meals have been my go-to solution. They’ve been my saving grace during the busiest of weeks, ensuring my family consistently enjoys home-cooked meals, even when our schedules are packed. The unparalleled convenience, affordability, and time-saving nature of these meals have been a game-changer, aligning my work and family commitments.
For the most part, all they recipes are just chicken and a sauce. Which makes them SO fast to put together. All the recipes are also meals that I generally just serve with rice and a quick vegetable. So, not only are they quick to assemble, but they’re just as quick to prepare and serve!
When I make these recipes, I generally add on 2 recipes from my original Freezer Meals post (this post is getting a face lift soon)! When I assemble recipes, I make 2 meals of each recipe. So, I ended up with 14 freezer meals in about 1 ½ hours!
Double these seven recipes to get 14 Freezer Crockpot Meals in one prep session!
Now, I’m thrilled to share my handpicked selection of 7 Easy Crockpot Chicken Freezer Meal recipes. Not only are these recipes guaranteed crowd-pleasers, but they’re also incredibly family-friendly and versatile, pairing with a range of simple side dishes. And don’t you worry about the practicality of transforming these recipes into freezer meals, I’ve got you covered! This post serves as your comprehensive guide. From answering all your questions to providing a detailed step-by-step process!
Chicken Freezer Meals Ingredients Shopping List
This shopping list includes the ingredients needed to make ONE of each of the following seven chicken freezer meals: Teriyaki Chicken, BBQ Pulled Chicken, Creamy Italian Chicken, Italian Dressing Chicken, French Chicken, Maple Dijon Chicken, Garlic Chicken
Meat & Poultry:
- 16-24 Chicken Breasts (depending on if you’re using 4 or 6 breasts per recipe)
- 36 Chicken Thighs (Boneless, Skinless)
Soup & Broth Aisle:
- 1 can Cranberry Sauce (Whole Berry)
- 1 can Cream of Chicken
- 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Condiments & Dressings:
- 8 fl. oz French Dressing
- 12 fl. oz BBQ Sauce
- 8 fl. oz Zesty Italian Dressing
- 1 cup Dijon Mustard
- 1 packet Dry Ranch Dressing
- 1 packet Dry Italian Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
Baking & Spices Aisle:
- 1 ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- Salt & Pepper
- ½ tablespoon Chili Powder
- ½ tablespoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- ½ cup Maple Syrup
- 4 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
- ¼ cup White Vinegar
International Aisle:
- 8 fl. oz Soy Sauce
- 12 fl. oz Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
Dairy:
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
Produce:
- 1 Bulb of Garlic (for mincing)
- 1 Chunk Fresh Ginger Root (approx. ⅛ cup when chopped)
Juice Aisle:
- ½ Cup Lime Juice
Non-Food Items:
- 14 count Gallon Ziplock Bags
Chicken Freezer Meals Ingredients Shopping List
You can download a printable version of this Master Shopping List for these Easy Crockpot Chicken Freezer Meals in PDF format.
The download comes in two pages. The first page provides a list of ingredients for making ONE of each of the seven freezer meals. The second page lists the ingredients if you wish to make TWO of each of these meals.
This printable is for personal use only. Please do not sell or redistribute for any reason.
Chicken Crockpot Freezer Meals – Tips
1. Preparation:
- Review Recipes: Before you begin, familiarize yourself with each of the 7 recipes linked in this blog post. This will give you a clear understanding of the ingredients and steps involved.
- Print the Master Shopping List: Use the downloadable list to shop for everything you need. Organized by grocery store sections, this list ensures a smooth shopping experience. I’ve offered two versions: one if you’re making each recipe once and the other if you’re making each recipe twice.
- Gather Supplies: In addition to food items, you’ll need gallon-sized Ziplock bags, a permanent marker, and measuring utensils.
2. Setting Up Your Workspace:
- Clean Your Counters: Start with a clean and sanitized workspace. This not only ensures food safety but makes the process more enjoyable.
- Group Ingredients: Group ingredients by recipe on the counter. This way, you’re not constantly searching for what you need.
- Label Bags First: Using a permanent marker, label each Ziplock bag with the recipe name, cooking instructions, and date. This step saves you from trying to label a full, potentially messy bag later.
Tips While Assembling:
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: If you’re handling raw meat, do it last to minimize contamination risk. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for meat and veggies.
- Use Measuring Tools: Even if you’re an experienced cook, using measuring tools ensures consistency, especially when doubling recipes.
- Batch Processes: Instead of preparing one meal at a time, batch similar tasks across all meals. For example, if three recipes require chopped garlic, chop the garlic for all three recipes at once. Trim and prepare all the chicken beforehand.
3. Efficient Assembly:
- Support the Bag: Use a bag stand if you have one; if not, open a ziplock bag and set it inside a medium-to-large sized bowl, folding the top of the bag over the rim of the bowl. This will help keep the bag open and upright, preventing spills and making the process cleaner.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the bag.
- Add the Chicken: Layer in the chicken pieces, ensuring they are submerged or well-covered by the wet ingredients.
- Mix: Once all ingredients are in, lift the bag from the bowl or stand. Before sealing it completely, use your hands to move the sauce around, ensuring all chicken pieces are well-coated in the marinade or sauce.
4. Packing and Storage:
- Remove Air: Before sealing each Ziplock bag, press out as much air as possible. This will help prevent freezer burn and maximize storage space.
- Lay Flat to Freeze: Initially freeze bags flat on a tray or baking sheet. Once frozen, they can be stacked or stored upright to save space.
- Organize by Type: Group similar meals together in your freezer. This makes it easy to find what you’re looking for later.
5. Planning:
- Plan: Plan your meals a day or two in advance. Shift your freezer meal to the refrigerator to thaw.
- Thaw Safely: Always thaw meals in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before you plan to cook them. Avoid countertop thawing, as it can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Rotate Meals: Practice a first-in, first-out system. This ensures older meals get used before newer ones, keeping everything fresh.
6. Cooking Freezer Meals:
- Thaw: As instructed, make sure your freezer meal is thawed prior to cooking.
- Pour the freezer meal contents into your crockpot. Make sure to get as much of the sauce out of the bag as possible!
- Cook the freezer meal on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. I have found that for these recipes, in my crockpot, chicken thigh recipes are falling apart at the 3 hour mark on high and 6 hr mark on low, but my chicken breast recipes need a little bit more time.
- Adjust Cooking Times: Every crockpot is a bit different. Monitor your meals the first time you cook them to adjust for your specific appliance.
Freezer Chicken Meals: French Chicken
My family affectionately dubs this the ‘Candy Chicken’ due to its irresistible taste, enhanced by the unique combination of French dressing and whole berry cranberry. This versatile recipe allows you to serve the chicken as whole breasts or shredded to your preference. Find the detailed recipe for French Chicken here or click the button below! Then follow the instructions in this post to make it into a freezer meal!
Crock Pot Freezer Meals: Chicken Teriyaki
This Easy Chicken Teriyaki Recipe is a delicious blend of sweet and savory, passed down from my father-in-law who grew up in Hawaii! The chicken thighs soak up the marinade’s flavors beautifully. Check out my detailed post for my Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Recipe or click the button below. Then follow the instructions in this post to make it into a freezer meal!
Chicken Crockpot Freezer Meals: Sweet BBQ Chicken
This Sweet BBQ Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a rich blend of BBQ sauce and brown sugar, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s versatile enough for sliders, nachos, quesadillas and more. I never get a complaint from my family members when I make this! Find the full recipe here: Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken or click the button below. Then follow the instructions in this post to make it into a freezer meal!
Chicken Recipes to Freeze: Chicken Breast with Italian Dressing
Chicken Breast with Italian Dressing melds the richness of cream cheese with the hearty touch of cream of chicken, all elevated by aromatic Italian seasonings. This comforting dish is a personal favorite in our household, often earning the title of my husband’s top pick from this collection. Find the full and detailed recipe here for Creamy Italian Shredded Chicken or click the button below. Then follow the instructions in this post to make it into a freezer meal!
Freezer Crockpot Meals: Italian Dressing Chicken
Crock Pot Italian Dressing Chicken infuses chicken breast with the vibrant tang of Zesty Italian Dressing, complemented by the comforting flavor of a ranch seasoning packet. Often likened to the shredded chicken at Cafe Rio, this recipe is my unbeatable choice for flavor-packed shredded chicken tacos or as a standout main beside rice and veggies. Find the detailed recipe for the Italian Dressing Chicken or click the button below. Then follow the instructions in this post to make it into a freezer meal!
Other Chicken Recipes to Freeze
As I mentioned above, I also made a couple other recipes from my original Freezer Meals post (which will be getting an update). My families favorites from it are the Dijon Chicken and Garlic Chicken Thighs.
Freezer Chicken Meals: Garlic Chicken Thighs
This Garlic Chicken Thigh Recipe is a delicious blend of chicken thighs marinated in a mixture of garlic, zesty lime, savory soy sauce and more. This recipe promises a burst of flavor with every bite, making this a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. It can be made using bone-in or boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Find the full recipe post here Garlic Chicken Thighs or click the button below. Then follow the freezer meal assembly instructions in this post to make it into a freezer meal!
Dijon Chicken Thighs Freezer Meal
Dijon Chicken Thighs captures the perfect blend of tangy Dijon mustard and sweet maple syrup, marinating chicken thighs to perfection. This dish offers an ideal flavor balance, making it an ideal centerpiece when paired with rice and a fresh vegetable side. Find the full recipe here: Dijon Chicken or click the button below. Then follow the instructions in this post to make it into a freezer meal!
Chicken Crockpot Freezer Meals FAQs
No, most freezer meal recipes are designed for raw meat. The cooking process happens when you’re ready to eat the meal, ensuring that the meat is tender and flavorful.
Typically, for the best quality, you should use chicken-based freezer meals within 3-4 months. Always label your meals with a date for reference.
It’s recommended to thaw meals before cooking, especially for slow cookers, to ensure even cooking and food safety. Meals are best thawed in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
Cooking chicken freezer meals directly from frozen in a crockpot poses food safety concerns, notably the risk of the chicken lingering in the “danger zone” temperatures (between 40°F and 140°F). This extended stay in these temperatures can promote bacterial growth. Additionally, cooking from frozen can result in uneven cooking.
For safety, it’s advised to thaw your chicken freezer meal in the fridge for 24-48 hours before slow cooking. If you must cook from frozen, use the “High” setting on your slow cooker to move through the “danger zone” faster and extend the cooking time by 1-3 hours. Regardless of the method, ensure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) before serving. When in doubt, thawing beforehand is the best approach for both safety and cooking consistency. Using a meat thermometer can also aid in ensuring the chicken is safely cooked.
There’s a unique satisfaction in having a Deep Freezer brimming with ready-to-go meals, especially for those hectic weeks! I genuinely hope these recipes help bring joy and delicious flavors to your family’s table. Wishing you all the best as you stock up your freezers with these tasty, time-saving meals!
*This post was originally posted February of 2013 and has been updated.
Make sure and check out these other recipes!
INSTANT POT RECIPES
- 30 Must-Try Instant Pot Chicken Dinners
- 25 Instant Pot Soups
- 25 Must-Try Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes
- 30 Must Try Instant Pot Beef Recipes
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CROCKPOT FREEZER MEALS TIPS
Instructions
1. PREPARATION
- Review Recipes: Before you begin, familiarize yourself with each of the 7 recipes linked in this blog post. This will give you a clear understanding of the ingredients and steps involved.Print the Master Shopping List: Use the downloadable list to shop for everything you need. Organized by grocery store sections, this list ensures a smooth shopping experience. I’ve offered two versions: one if you’re making each recipe once and the other if you’re making each recipe twice.Gather Supplies: In addition to food items, you’ll need gallon-sized Ziplock bags, a permanent marker, and measuring utensils.
2. SETTING UP YOUR WORKSPACE
- Clean Your Counters: Start with a clean and sanitized workspace. This not only ensures food safety but makes the process more enjoyable.Group Ingredients: Group ingredients by recipe on the counter. This way, you’re not constantly searching for what you need.Label Bags First: Using a permanent marker, label each Ziplock bag with the recipe name, cooking instructions, and date. This step saves you from trying to label a full, potentially messy bag later.
3. EFFICIENT ASSEMBLY
- Support the Bag: Use a bag stand if you have one; if not, open a ziplock bag and set it inside a medium-to-large sized bowl, folding the top of the bag over the rim of the bowl. This will help keep the bag open and upright, preventing spills and making the process cleaner.Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the bag.Add the Chicken: Layer in the chicken pieces, ensuring they are submerged or well-covered by the wet ingredients.Mix: Once all ingredients are in, lift the bag from the bowl or stand. Before sealing it completely, use your hands to move the sauce around, ensuring all chicken pieces are well-coated in the marinade or sauce.
4. PACKING AND STORAGE
- Remove Air: Before sealing each Ziplock bag, press out as much air as possible. This will help prevent freezer burn and maximize storage space.Lay Flat to Freeze: Initially freeze bags flat on a tray or baking sheet. Once frozen, they can be stacked or stored upright to save space.Organize by Type: Group similar meals together in your freezer. This makes it easy to find what you’re looking for later.
5. PLANNING
- Plan: Plan your meals a day or two in advance. Shift your freezer meal to the refrigerator to thaw.Thaw Safely: Always thaw meals in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before you plan to cook them. Avoid countertop thawing, as it can be a breeding ground for bacteria.Rotate Meals: Practice a first-in, first-out system. This ensures older meals get used before newer ones, keeping everything fresh.
6. COOKING FREEZER MEALS
- Thaw: As instructed, make sure your freezer meal is thawed prior to cooking.Pour the freezer meal contents into your crockpot. Make sure to get as much of the sauce out of the bag as possible!Cook the freezer meal on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. I have found that for these recipes, in my crockpot, chicken thigh recipes are falling apart at the 3 hour mark on high and 6 hr mark on low, but my chicken breast recipes need a little bit more time.Adjust Cooking Times: Every crockpot is a bit different. Monitor your meals the first time you cook them to adjust for your specific appliance.
TIPS WHILE ASSEMBLING:
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: If you’re handling raw meat, do it last to minimize contamination risk. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for meat and veggies.Use Measuring Tools: Even if you’re an experienced cook, using measuring tools ensures consistency, especially when doubling recipes.Batch Processes: Instead of preparing one meal at a time, batch similar tasks across all meals. For example, if three recipes require chopped garlic, chop the garlic for all three recipes at once. Trim and prepare all the chicken beforehand.
lazyme
I made the French Chicken Recipe and my family really enjoyed it. We’ve made it before with pork but never with chicken. This is quick and simple not only to get in the freezer…..but to cook as well. Thanks for sharing this nice keeper.
Pam Dana
I’m so glad you love it!
Juliee
Thank you times a million! I’m spending some of Spring Break getting prepared for soon-to-start-very-overbooked-softball-baseball-hockey season and these are EXACTLY what I need. We are going to be out at a field or the rink almost every night for the next two months and I am in a panic trying to imagine how we will manage to eat. Can’t wait to explore your site a little more. Thank you for sharing these!
Pam Dana
I am so glad you loved them!! I’ve now been making them for 10 years and my family still loves them!!
Laura
Just made the French Onion Chicken last week and it was DELICIOUS! I love finding new yummy freezer meals because I can make several on a Sunday afternoon and freeze them for an easy and satisfying weeknight meal. This one was a huge hit…adults and kiddos all enjoyed it. I served it with a side of mashed potatoes and asparagus. Adding this to our regular rotation, it’s soooo easy and delicious!
Pam Dana
Yay!! I’m so so glad you loved it! It’s legit one of our favorites!!
Meghan Kleinschmidt
These recipes look amazing! I’m looking at a big surgery this summer, and l’ve been looking for some new freezer meals to make beforehand. I will for sure be pinning this. Thank you!
Pam Dana
Good luck on your surgery and I hope you love the recipes!!
Tanya Schroeder
These all look so good, I don’t know which one to try first!
Pam Dana
Thanks so much! They’re all so good! Hope you love them!
Liz
I just bought a big package of chicken at Costco, now I know what I can make with it! Thanks!
Pam Dana
Yay! Good luck, hope you love them!
Aimee Shugarman
These are all delicious dinner recipes!!
Pam Dana
I’m so glad you loved them! Thanks!
Cailyn
Awesome post, thanks for sharing! We’re big on chicken in our house so I’m saving this.
Pam Dana
Our house mostly eats chicken too!
Sommer
These are all great recipes! Made life so much easier!
Pam Dana
Yay! I’m so glad you loved them!
Jessica
Best freezer meal post ever. Thanks so much!
Katrina
Just had the Sweet BBQ Chicken for dinner tonight and even my 3 year old thanked me for making it. SO GOOD! I did find it was a bit too vinegary though because of the BBQ sauce I used. Would it be possible to opt out the 1/4 cup of vinegar? It was very tasty though! I’ve never seen my son finish off a plate so fast!
Pam Dana
Yay! We love that one! You could for sure leave the vinegar out if it’s too strong for you! Thanks again for the nice comment!
Marilyn Gisi
I just got an instant pot for Christmas. I am having so much fun cooking with it.! Have you ever tried cooking these recipes in an Instant Pot.?
Elle
Well, one thing is for sure. You’ll be sufficiently pickled and preserved after you eat this junk. Sugared up, too.
Kristal
Thanks can’t wait to try I will start with the Pineapple Chicken first?
Rhys91
I see your blog is in the same niche like my site. Do you allow guest posts?
I can write excellent content for you. Let me know
if you are interested.
Pam Dana
At this time I am not accepting guest posts! Thanks so much those!
Jennifer
How long are these meals good for in your freezer?
becca
How many people is each set of ingredients for? I’ll only be cooking for me ?
Jenn
On the creamy chicken italian, is the italian seasoning a salad dressing/marinade seasoning? Or if not, what is it?
Megan B
Hi, I’m guessing these recipes are all for smaller families? I have teenagers and school age kids. So I would need to double these correct?
Pam Dana
I probably would double them yes!! Thanks for your comment!
Joyce
so I dont see the link to print……
William
I just read your blog. What are the recomended freezer storage times for each recipe?
William
I just read your blog. What are the recomended freezer storage times for each recipe?
Amy Wigand
Sure would be nice if this was printable, and not a 40 page long annoying waste of time, paper, and ink
Amy Wigand
Sure would be nice if this was printable, and not a 40 page long annoying waste of time, paper, and ink
Shari Carder
Copy and paste into a Word document the recipes that you want.
Shari Carder
Copy and paste into a Word document the recipes that you want.
Pam
What is the weight of one chicken breast in your recipes?
Pam Dana
I always buy Costco Chicken Breasts, which run on the large size! I’d say 6-8 oz per Chicken Breast!
Meal Planning Mommies
We also posted your creamy Italian chicken. 🙂 I made it for my friend who had a baby recently and she was very happy with it. Thank you. 🙂 I love chicken freezer meals! Even better when you can pop them in the crockpot! http://www.mealplanningmommies.com/freezer-friendly-crock-pot-creamy-italian-chicken/
Meal Planning Mommies
I liked the teriyaki chicken recipe and I will be sharing that on on our site this week. http://www.mealplanningmommies.com. We will be giving you a shout out. Thanks for the good ideas! Keep up the great work. 🙂
Lina
YUCK! Way too much dependence on cheap processed foods and sugar for these recipes. Thanks for the ideas, but I will be making substitutions with real ingredients. (takes a little longer to prepare, but isn’t made from chemicals!)
Jennice
Yikes! I’m out of cayenne for the Sweet BBQ Chicken and we’re in the middle of a snowstorm so I can’t run and get some. What can I use as a substitution?
Pam Dana
You could use some Chili Powder or just omit that ingredient. The flavor will have a little less of a kick. You could add hot sauce after cooking if you want!! Stay safe and warm!
Amanda
I’m cooking for two, so I cut down the recipes. Do you think it’ll effect the cook time?
Kelli
I make a version of the Creamy Italian Chicken all the time, and it is fantastic. I, however, add a can of diced tomatoes. Totally worth it!
KCF
I make a similar recipe to the “French Chicken”, called “Cranberry Chicken”, and the only difference is I use Catalina dressing instead of French dressing. Other than that, it’s identical, and amazingly delicious!
However, I never put frozen chicken directly into my crock pot or slow cooker. The chicken spends too much time in that “danger zone” temperature where bacteria can thrive. It’s just not worth the risk. I prefer to take the meal out of the freezer a day ahead and let it thaw in the fridge, or if pressed for time, simply cook in the oven.
These all look like good, tasty, time-saving recipes, and I’ll be saving them to my recipe file to try out. Thanks so much!
LCannon
Not sure you will get this comment since your post was from last year. I made the Teriyaki chicken but some of the liquid in the bag is not freezing. It just feels slushy. Do you have any suggestions?
Pam Dana
As long as it is kept in the freezer – it is fine! Some of mine is the same way!!
RaCHEL
Hi can you tell me how much is in a packet of Italian seasoning? From the Uk x ( sorry if it’s been asked already)
Lauren Allen
I’m going to need this post in my arsenal for when baby #2 comes! Thanks Ladies!!
Pam Dana
Yes Laur! You will be SOOO happy you did! Jess and I each did a big round before our last babies! Best thing ever!!
Vanessa Marquiss Barker
We just got a chest freezer and I can’t wait to fill it up with great freezer meals. Thanks for the recipes.
Kristina
This is fabulous!! Thank you!
Amber @ DessertNowDinnerLater!
I plan on trying several of these! Pinning!
Melissa
These look like great recipes, thanks for sharing! =)
Pinned.
Dana
Did you have a problem with freezing the cream cheese? I’ve never tried it, but I found another recipe that advised against it and suggested to add it the day it was being cooked. Any thoughts?
Pam
Nope – never had a problem! It’s always turned out fine!
-Pam
Manda
Some cheeses and other dairy products will curdle if placed in the cooker too soon. Most manufacturers suggest adding them towards the end of the cook time.
Jenna Oak
I made a french onion chicken freezer meal last week that said to freeze the sourcream in with it….yup it curdled big time!! i was so mad lol
kdarsi
Can I substitute cooked,leftover turkey for the chicken and would I need to make any other adjustments? Thanks!
overthebigmoon
I don’t see why that would be a problem. If the Turkey is already cooked, then you won’t need to cook it as long. Good luck – let me know how they turn out!
Kelley
I’m looking for the recipe from the World’s Best Chicken Freezer Meal post but don’t see it??? thanks.
Desiree Morris
Hi! I wanted to let you know I tried out the French Chicken recipe and it was delicious! I wrote a review on the recipe. You can check it out here – http://desidabbles.com/halloween-jell-o-jigglers/
Nicole
Question…I’ve always been told that you should discard the sauce or marinade that raw meat or chicken has been marinading in and then after the meat or chicken is cooked, add “fresh” sauce. Have I been told wrong all this time or why does this not apply to these dishes?
johnlisa02
If you boil the sauce it should be fine and kill all of the bacteria. Just like raw chicken has bacteria but cooked chicken doesn’t. By cooking the sauce in the crock pot all day you kill the bad bacteria.
Nicole
I was always leery about doing freezer meals because of the question of bacteria. Thanks! 🙂
Missy
I freeze the meat Ina separate bag because of concerns about bacteria.
Jessica Schroeder
I am so excited to have found these recipes! I am gonna make these next weekend to prepare for the birth of my 1st child. These will be a lifesaver!
ML White
Love your recipes. They are the kind of meals my family eats. Preparing myself for freezer crock pot meals for the first time. Thanks for sharing your easy recipes.
Auntie
It would be a good idea to put the date on your freezer meals so they get rotated properly. Without dates they tend to get shoved to the back and forgotten. Also, check your freezer’s instruction book so you’ll know how long you can safely keep them. Frost-free freezers will keep things for a much shorter time that manual defrost freezers.
Lisa Dille Carrelli
Was the chicken frozen when you first put it in the bag with the ingredients??
Rowanvamp0
I would also like to know I’m a newbie to freezer cooking.
Michelle Nguyen-Gonzalez
Thank you so much for posting! I made two batches of each recipe this week. Love #4 and 7! #6 was a little too salty and lime was too overpowering for our taste. I forgot to add lime to this bag, so next time I just won’t add it and ill add more water and sugar to balance out the salt. You’re amazing! Thanks so much for compiling these.
Becki
Garlic lime chicken is very salty. The rest have been very yummy.
Beverly
These all sound awesome. We are retired, but my husband still expects me to cook just about every night. I’ve tried to tell him that I’m retired too, but these sound easy. Thanks so much for sharing.
Judy Carter
Hi: I am new to this site, so please forgive my ignorance. Do you combine all the ingredients and THEN freeze? And defrost for an hour or so before placing in the crock pot? I just wanted to make sure before I tried this. It looks like SUCH a time saver, and I’m ALWAYS looking for ways to make chicken taste better. Thanks!
Pam
Yes, combine everything according to the instructions and then freeze. I just run my frozen bag under warm water to loosen it from the sides of the bag for a few seconds and then place it in the crockpot! Thanks for the comment and good luck!
Pam
http://www.overthebigmoon.com
kelly
Aren’t you supposed to thaw meat in cold water?
Heidi L.
Kelly, I believe the point is to just get the stuff in the bag loosened up to be able to get it into the crock pot….not actually thaw the meat.
overthebigmoon
Yes, correct! Thanks – I must have missed this question!
Gayle
You are my hero!!! Hubby and kids have tons of allergies and are difficult to cook for. I have lost all interest in cooking. All of these recipes will work for us. Can’t wait to get started! Thank you!
Jenna
oven cooking instructions if we don’t want to use a crock pot?
overthebigmoon
I would say probably 34-45 minutes at 350 degrees. You really just need to make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through!
Keleyna Staves
I’ve tried doing the cream cheese one and every time I do it I have to throw it away; the cream cheese always looks and smells curdled no matter the cook time or temp in my crock pot. 🙁 Do you have any ideas on that?
overthebigmoon
I’m sorry- I’ve never had a problem with the Cream Cheese. Once the cream cheese mixes with everything else it’s just part of the sauce and I’ve never noticed any curdling or smell issues. How long are you freezing it for?
Jen R.
I’ve used this recipe before and mine says to add the soup and cream cheese just for the last 30-60 minutes on high. That way there’s no curdling and you just get it all heated up together.
Michelle Lovesmike Sharp
What do you make to go with these main dishes?
Pam
Generally we serve rice and a veggie with them!
Pam @ Over the Big Moon
Mary Adiutori
My crockpot says do not use frozen meat. New crockpot, new at trying these recipes. Cooking on high and hoping for the best.
Stephanie Chambers
I usually thaw my crock pot freezer meals in the fridge overnight, then put it in the crock pot in the am.
Jen
These were great! I didnt use the crockpot though. Took one out in the AM and cooked covered for one hour on 375 and served over rice. Chicken was juicy and flavorful!
Jenn
When you say took it out, you mean took it out of the freezer in the AM and then cooked in the evening, right? I am wanting to cut the recipes in half, since it’s just the hubs and me; how do you think that would affect cooking time in the oven? Thanks 🙂
Sondra Elizabeth King
What do these look like complete, they really sound mushy and in appetizing to me So i Never try them. I’m not being negative, I really am wanting to see a finished product please.
Jennifer Martin
I’m not a crockpot chicken person, but I plan to bake these instead. I’ve made a freezer version of the french chicken before and just baked it. We enjoyed it and I can’t wait to try a few of these in the oven. 🙂
Meal Planning Mommies
I made the chicken teriyaki. My husband loved it. He kept saying how great the house smelled. I served it with brown rice. To see what it looks like cooked, you can go here: http://www.mealplanningmommies.com/family-fun-meal-idea/ I also made the creamy Italian chicken. I doubled it and gave a bag to my friend who just recently had a baby and she raved about it. We liked it too. I served it with egg noodles and broccoli. To see what the creamy Italian chicken looks like cooked you can go here: http://www.mealplanningmommies.com/freezer-friendly-crock-pot-creamy-italian-chicken/
Nicole
I’m so excited to try these! Thank you so much for including these! Question though, if its just my hubby and me, if I were to split these in half, would that be enough? My hubby doesn’t “like” leftovers, so I tend to cook every night. Thanks!
Pam
Yeah, I think that cutting them in half would generally work. Just make sure that you have enough sauce and add the amount of chicken you need (assuming 2 or 3 breasts). Good luck!
Sylvia
Have you ever tried them with anything other then chicken? I have venison steak and I think some of the recipe combos would work well with that also.
overthebigmoon
These particular recipes I have only done w/ Chicken. Good luck trying them with the venison!
Sylvia
Thank you. I think I am going to try the teriyaki marinade recipe this weekend and then make some rice and broccoli to go with. Thank you for sharing these great ideas.
Danelle
Sylvia, did you ever try it with venison? That’s a great idea. 🙂
Stephanie Chambers
I’ve had something similar to the French Chicken with pork chops that was delish!
Kathryn Wood
Thank you for these recipes. I’ve pinned them!
Andreia Krause
what size crockpot do you use? also, with a 4-6 hour cook time, it doesn’t really allow for a person to turn on the crockpot, go to work, then come back to a ready dinner; so is there a oven temperature and time that would be quicker for an after work preparation?
overthebigmoon
I use a 6 qt sized Slow Cooker. My crockpot allows me to set it to cook on low for a certain amount of time and then automatically switches to warm. So, that’s what I generally do. I would say cook it on 350 for approx an hour (give or take 15 mins) depending on your altitude!
Beth
You can plug your crock pot into a Christmas light timer and set it to go on and off when you want. Mine isn’t fancy enough to turn itself to warm so I fix everything before I go to work, turn it to low, and set the timer so it is ready when we want dinner. Works like a charm as long as you turn the crock pot on. 🙂
Trish
Oh my gosh Beth, I am having one of those “how did I never think of this!?” moments. Thanks for the idea!
Kathy
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
Waylon William Werner
Great looking Recipes! I am looking forward to trying them. I also buy my chicken at Costco and I find that each 2 pack is around 1lb each. Do you normally have leftovers? It feels like some of the recipes have A LOT of chicken in them. Just kind of curious what kind of portion you are serving etc (as a reference point for meat to sauce ratio and leftover amount etc).
overthebigmoon
I share the recipes based upon my original sources – but for me personally I use 3 of the Costco breasts or 7 of the Costco thighs per recipe. But, it’s just my, my hubby and our two small boys. I sometimes will throw an extra breast in on the recipes my hubby especially likes, so there are leftovers for him the next day!
Busy Mom
I love your recipes, want to try more. I cant find the recipes for the Garlic Lime and the Worlds Best Chicken. How can I get them?
overthebigmoon
If you click on their name above the picture, it will link you to the post where I originally shared the recipes. Here is the link as well: http://overthebigmoon.com/freezer-meals/ Thanks so much!
Tammy
Are the chicken in pouches fresh or frozen?
Pam Dana
Fresh!
Christina
Quick question, do you split the ingredients in half, or double each one?
overthebigmoon
All the recipes are ingredients for ONE Freezer Meal. So, if you’re doing two, then you’ll need double what the typed recipe reads! Thanks!
Garcia
So, you give each person a whole pice of chicken breast on top of rice?
overthebigmoon
Some of the recipes we’ll shred up a little and I generally just serve the chicken with a side of rice and veggies. But, you could for sure serve it on top of the rice. That is just something you would decide basked upon preference.
jlb30
Are these meals able to be defrosted and cooked in the oven as well? What do you think the cook time would be in the oven?
overthebigmoon
Yes! I would suggest trying it at 350 for approx an hour (give or take 15 minutes) depending on your altitude. Good luck!
michelle
I love these but what about the sodium content and additives i would love to come up with meals like this using fresh ingredients.
overthebigmoon
For me – the point of these are to make them easy, fast and something my boys would eat without complaining. We are big rice fans in this house and chicken goes over best with my boys. So, that was my angle. On days that I cook I bring in fresh ingredients. These meals are not being used daily – just more like once or twice a week.
Kathy
I sell Wildtree products. Wildtree is simple, healthy and Natural. We have also been Certified Organic. As I was reading the recipes I was using my Wildtree products making it very healthy. http://www.mywildtree.com/231239 Love this product. Kathy
Kari
These are awesome! Can you use frozen chicken or does fresh work best?
overthebigmoon
I would suggest fresh, but I think if you took a frozen chicken breast and stuck it right in the ziplock and stuck it right back in the freezer it would be okay.
Haz
Hi, Thanks for the awesome ideas, how long is the maximum time thatyou have those bags in the freezer?
overthebigmoon
3 months in a regular freezer / 6 months in a Deep Freezer!!
mimi5680
This is great! Thanks! What sides do you add to these? i never know what goes well together.
overthebigmoon
We are BIG rice fans in our house – so with these meals I generally do a rice and then just a veggie – corn, green beans, broccoli, carrots. Just something quick and easy of course!!