My latest freezer cooking session included prepping six chicken freezer crockpot meals in 30 minutes (including clean-up!). I’m especially excited about sharing these recipes because they’re healthy, delicious, and oh-so-easy to make. Here’s my grocery list and best freezer meal tips…
I prepped 20 freezer meals over the past month. Guess how many were left in my freezer when I started working on this post? Only one! I just love having homemade meals waiting in my freezer for busy weeknights.
Here’s what I love about this latest freezer cooking session…
- I focused on chicken crockpot recipes made with healthy ingredients.
- I froze all of the ingredients raw so they won’t taste like leftovers at all.
- I was able to prep all six meals in less than 30 minutes (including clean-up!).
- The grocery list was short and sweet.
Here’s a list of the meals that I made…
- Two freezer bags of red pepper chicken
- Two freezer bags of lemon pepper chicken
- Two freezer bags of orange ginger chicken
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE PRINTABLE RECIPES AND FULL GROCERY LIST
I made up all of the recipes, but I’ve never shared them on my blog before. I’m working on a new eCookbook filled with healthy chicken crockpot recipes.
I had most of the ingredients on-hand, so I only spent $19.94 at Aldi to pick up the chicken, peppers, onions, and lemons.
Unlike my last healthy freezer crockpot prep day, this freezer cooking session focused on marinated chicken recipes. Now, you can certainly skip the freezer step and toss the ingredients raw right into your crockpot just like any other crockpot recipe.
However, I see three huge benefits for freezing these chicken recipes…
- You can buy all of the ingredients at once in bulk and save money.
- You only have to wash your knife and cutting board once. (Yay!)
- Dumping a freezer meal into your crockpot is the absolute quickest way of cooking dinner. (Even ordering take-out takes more time!)
Each of these recipes calls for one pound of chicken and will feed three adults. If you want to feed six people instead, simply add two pounds of chicken to each freezer bag.
I use fresh chicken breasts in my recipes, but you can absolutely substitute frozen chicken breasts. To use frozen chicken breasts in your meals, add them to the freezer bags frozen. No need to thaw!
I know some people aren’t used to mixing raw meat with vegetables, so I did a lot of research when I was writing my No Cook Freezer Meals cookbook. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, freezing to 0 °F inactivates any microbes present in food (such as bacteria, yeasts, and molds). That means freezing raw meat with vegetables, sauces, and spices is perfectly safe.
Here’s what my freezer meal prep process looks like…
- I do all of my shopping ahead of time. If possible, even a day or two in advance.
- When possible, I fill out my freezer meal labels ahead of time. (This saves time when prepping the meals and makes me focus on writing legibly.)
- I print my recipes so I don’t have search for them on my phone/computer/tablet.
- I prep all the veggies first.
- Then, I work in an assembly line to fill the bags with their vegetables, chicken, spices, and other ingredients.
Simply seal, freeze, and thaw before cooking. Easy-peasy! (If you’re new to freezer crockpot cooking, check out my three freezer cooking tips for beginners.)
Thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below. Freezer cooking has helped my family so much and I’m happy to help however I can.
I can’t believe how easy this is! I’ve been putting off weekly meal prepping forever because I thought it would take an entire day, but these are so simple (and sound delicious). I’m going to dust off my crockpot and try these freezer meals out. Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
It’s so easy, Carly! You got this!
I can only find the recipe for the red pepper chicken. I’d love to try the orange ginger chicken too. Can you point me to the recipe? Thanks!
Nevermind I spoke too soon. Found it!
Check out the green colored text. It’s written in all caps. If you click it, you’ll find a pdf with my grocery list and recipes. Hope that helps!
I have scrolled up and down this page 10 x and I must be blind.I give up I just wasted my time.Maybe get a better following if you don’t hide the recipes.
Patricia, There is an orange bar halfway down the page that contains this link https://thefamilyfreezer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SIX-CHICKEN-FREEZER-CROCKPOT-MEALS-IN-30-MINUTES-GROCERY-LIST-AND-RECIPES1.pdf but I will pass your comment onto Kelly & Andy and see how we can make it more accessible.
I had the same trouble finding the actual recipes… the orange bar looks like an ad, so I scrolled right past it!
Thank you for the feedback. It used to be a simple text link and people couldn’t find it either! I’ll keep brainstorming…
Carly,
If I double the amount of chicken that I’m using should I double all of the other ingredients or will that be too strong of a flavor?
I would keep the other ingredients the same. The only ingredient I’d consider doubling would be the red pepper in the red pepper chicken. If everyone wants to eat some of the pepper there might not be enough.
I was wondering if you could put the frozen meals directly into the slow cooker without thawing them first. I am typically away from home for 10-11 hours, so a recipe that only takes 3-4 hours on low doesn’t really help me. I don’t have a timer on my slow cooker.
The USDA recommends thawing meat first for safety reasons. I can tell you that I’ve added chicken to my crockpot frozen without a problem, but I’m not an expert and maybe I just got lucky. If you ever have the opportunity to buy a slow cooker with a timer, I highly highly recommend it. I got my first one this year and LOVE it. It was only about $40. I’ve also heard of some people using basic light timers to turn off their crockpot an hour or two early. Hope this helps.
How much longer would you leave the ingredients to cook if you put them in frozen, not thawed?
Rebecca, I put meals in frozen all of the time (shh!) and never adjust the time.
USDA says it’s fine to cook from frozen. Just add time ti ensure it cooks through… which isn’t likely to be an issue if you let the crockpot run while you’re at work or such. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-you-cook-meat-or-poultry-from-the-frozen-state
if you are concerned, and instapot would be great for throwing in a bag after work……
Actually, they don’t. They say it’s fine. See link to their website. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-you-cook-meat-or-poultry-from-the-frozen-state
You should be able to get a separate timer unit from a home improvement store for just a couple of dollars – a cheaper alternative than buying a whole new slow cooker 🙂
I bought timers for my plug ins from Home Depot called Eco plugs. They work through wifi and with an app I can set them to come on at a certain time and shut off. They are great! I’m also gone for the same amount of time.
Cool idea! Thanks so much for sharing.
Where do you find those labels?
https://thefamilyfreezer.com/shop/
I am so bad at seasoning things. How gingery does the orange/ginger chicken taste? I really want to try it, but I hate the smell of ginger, so am a little afraid, haha. I guess I could try less at first and work my way up… Thanks for such a simple take on freezer meals and with all healthy and real ingredients too! I don’t have time for 6 hour freezer meal sessions, I have 5 kids. 😉
Have you ever cooked with fresh ginger? I think you’ll love it. How wonderful that you have five kids!! You rock, mama!
[…] Kelly from New Leaf Wellness shows you how to make 6 Crockpot Chicken Freezer Meals in 30 Minutes. […]
Thank you! This plan is great and you are so generous to share it with us! Our kitchen remodel is completed and it is time for me to get to work filling the new freezer with meals. This chicken plan will be my early Saturday morning project 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful time to stick your freezer. Enjoy your new kitchen!
Thanks for the recipes. I always get stuck on planning the sides. What do you eat with each of these? Thanks! (Found you through MSM)
Usually brown rice and broccoli (or salads). The red pepper chicken also tastes awesome in a wrap!
What do you service with your Red Pepper Chicken?