Crock Pot Catalina Chicken is sweet and tangy and the combination turns chicken into something special. The slow cooker makes it easy and dinner is a breeze on busy nights.
We eat a lot of chicken and I’m always looking for new ideas that the entire family will love. This delicious Catalina chicken is definitely a hit around here and it couldn’t be any easier. This easy and delicious chicken recipe is made with a delicious sauce that is almost like a glaze and even my pickiest eater cleans his plate!
I made this freezer to crockpot method and it was beyond easy and super delicious. Served with rice and steamed broccoli for a very easy weeknight meal.
-Sassy J
Have you try our Catalina Grilled Chicken? If you are in the mood to grill, that is a great option with a ton of flavor. Like this grilled chicken recipe, the slow cooker cooks the chicken tender with amazing savory flavor.
I love making this Slow Cooker Recipe on busy days when I want something flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen. The aroma that fills the house is pure comfort!
Ingredients
- Boneless Chicken Breasts – You can substitute with Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Catalina Salad Dressing – Try our Homemade Catalina Dressing Recipe
- Peach Preserves – Peach Jelly will also work
- Dry Onion Soup Mix – Try Homemade Onion Soup Mix
- Cornstarch and Cold Water – Helps to thicken the sauce
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Catalina Chicken in the Crockpot
Step 1 – In a small bowl and mix together the salad dressing, peach preserves, onion soup mix and pepper.
Step 2 – Second, put the chicken in the bottom of the crock pot.
Step 3 – Next, pour the Catalina dressing mixture over the chicken.
Step 4 – Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for about 2 to 2.5 hours. You want to make sure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Step 5 – Now, it is time to thicken the sauce. You will need a small bowl to mix the cornstarch and water in. After this is combined, stir this mixture into the crock pot for the last few minutes of cooking time. I normally do this in the last 30 minutes.
Step 6 – Serve and enjoy.
Crock Pot Catalina Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Boneless Chicken Breasts Approximately 6 Chicken Breasts
- 1 Cup Catalina Salad Dressing
- ½ cup Peach Preserves
- 1 Packet Dry Onion Soup Mix
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp Cold Water
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Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup Catalina salad dressing, ½ cup peach preserves, 1 packet dry onion soup mix, and 1 teaspoon pepper until combined.
- Place 3 lbs boneless chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the Catalina dressing mixture over the top of the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-2.5 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 Tbsp cornstarch and 2 Tbsp cold water until smooth, then stir this mixture into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken the sauce
- Serve over rice and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Programmable crock pot – Great for when you are going to be away.
- Liners– We use crock pot liners to just toss and go. You will love how easy clean up is.
- Chicken – Approximately 6 Chicken Breasts but I often cut them up into smaller pieces to make it easier for the kids. We recommend cutting or cooking about the same size to ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
- Meat Thermometer – Cooking time will vary so we recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure is fully cooked before serving.
- Chicken – You can also use skinless chicken thighs, chicken tenderloin or anything you prefer. Pork chops also work in this recipe and taste delicious.
- Jelly – You can also use apricot preserves like in this Crock Pot Apricot Chicken recipe.
- Seasoning – Sometimes I add in red pepper flakes for extra heat with the black pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Suggestions
- Rice – The sauce is really tasty so I love to spoon a bunch over rice. I could eat it by the spoonful because it is that good. Try Instant Pot white rice, Microwave Brown Rice or this Crock Pot Rice Recipe. Learn how to freeze rice and save even more time with this easy meal.
- Salad – Slice the chicken and serve over your favorite salad greens. This is delicious and also a great way to enjoy leftovers. Sometimes, I will pack this up for lunch the next day or later in the week. Yum!
- Potatoes – Add a side of Best Mashed Potatoes with Sautéed Green Beans for a complete meal idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
This chicken taste even better the next day. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Store the leftover chicken in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. You can store this chicken cooked or uncooked.
Thaw the chicken and reheat in the microwave or the oven depending on how much have you have left.
More Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
We love to hear from you. If you make this Slow Cooker Catalina Chicken Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Absolutely amazing! My husband does not care for chicken and he inhaled this! I used apricot preserves, because I had that on hand. There is only 2 of us, so I used two chicken breasts. About a little over a pound. I cut them up after they were cooked. I removed the breasts and made the sauce in the crock pot by turning on high. it all came together beautifully! Lots of sauce and could have fed 2 more people. Love the leftovers! I use your recipes several times a week! Keep them coming!
I want to make this but I can’t eat onions or onion related things. Do you have any recommendations for a substitute? Thank you
Lauri- I think the recipe would still be delicious with omitting the onion. I hope you try the recipe and that you enjoy it!
I made this freezer to crockpot method and it was beyond easy and super delicious. Served with rice and steamed broccoli for a very easy weeknight meal.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for sharing and thank you so much for the positive review!
Unfortunately I couldn’t find preserves so I have to use peach jam, I hope this will turn out and still taste great for us. Its hard to find preserves in canada ?? where I am anyway.
I think peach jam will work great in this recipe! Let me know how it turns out.
Tomorrow’s dinner!
I hope you love it Tracy!
I am making it now.
I hope you love it Jenine! Thank you for sharing!
I make this often in crockpot. So easy and yummy. I use Russian dressing as well – when I can find it! And use red pepper jelly or jalapeño jelly as it’s a lot less sweet which we like I’d add some fresh peppers and onion cut up as well. Today I’m tweaking again and trying it with a pork tenderloin should be good!
Sounds delicious! Thank you so much for sharing, Kathy!
I’ve made this quite a few times! It’s become a family favorite. Easy, quick and delicious!
I am definitely going to try this Catalina Chicken recipe, it is too simple to believe. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you enjoy it Margie!
So Good and So Easy! Just the kind of recipes I like.
I used Low calorie, Catalina dressing and sugar-free peach preserves. This was a delicious recipe next time, though I would add a little bit more corn starch to the slurry to make the Dressing thicker. Will definitely make this again.
Sharon – I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Since you loved this one, I hope you try out Catalina Glazed Grilled Chicken Recipe. I think you’ll love it! Thank you again, for the positive review!
Ohhhh soooo good. Thank you for the recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I have not cooked this as of yet but I will have it soon, I’ll be back soon!!
If I want to freeze uncooked, I combine all ingredients and put it in freezer. Then how would I cook it later? Thaw in the fridge and then put it in the slow cooker and cook according to instructions? lmk thanks
Yes that is exactly how I would do it.
So good and so easy. I’ll be making this often.
My family has tried the grilled recipe but we add a cup of dry, white wine to ours(usually Chablis or Chardonnay)…we love it and it has become a summer staple in our home. I will be anxious to try the crockpot version.
That sounds delicious. I hope you try this recipe! I think your family and you will enjoy it!
Sounds great. What crock pot are you using?
Deborah – You can find all my favorite crock pots in this post – https://www.eatingonadime.com/best-slow-cookers/
Hi Carrie, thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I’m making this for dinner tonight ?
Looks so delicious
Enjoyed.
I have made this recipe several times over the years. It’s a keeper
I’ve made this recipe a couple times and my family loves w!
Made this tonight for dinner. It was good but next time I will double the sauce ingredients. The chicken breasts fell apart so I just shredded them and put them back in the sauce. Definitely needed more sauce to spoon over the rice I served with it.
Can I use chicken legs? If so, do I adjust the time?
This recipe was easy to put together. It was delicious. I will definitely make this again.
Have made this a ton of times both in crockpot and oven and my family LOVES it!
I often add bell peppers onions and pineapple to the chicken and sauce takes it to the next level.
I’ve shared this recipe and link lots of times on FB in recipe groups as well. I typically make with Apricot jam because I have it on hand but have also used marmalade preserves & Apricot Pineapple which is awesome.
Have made this a ton of times both in crockpot and oven and my family LOVES it. I often add bell peppers onions and pineapple to the chicken and sauce takes it to the next level.
I’ve shared this recipe and link lots of times on FB in recipe groups as well.
My husband and I love this! We used apricot instead of peach and it was wonderful.
I’m so glad you enjoy it!
The sodium is so high is the onion soup mix what is causing it to be high?
Yes, it’s the onion soup mix. You can try making your own and reducing the amount of sodium to reduce that if you would like.
I made this on 04/18/2021 as written except I made the onion soup mix with Gluten Free ingredients that I had on hand. Everyone liked it. However, next time I will double the peach preserves, increase the cooking time to 5 1/2 hours on Low and I will look up a gluten free Onion Soup Mix recipe. My great granddaughters (5 and 7) gave it a (literal) thumbs up! This one has already been added to our rotation. Thank you for helping me to make healthy, tasty meals for my extended family without having to spend all afternoon in the kitchen. I much prefer spending that extra time with them.
Thank you Pat – I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it!
Amazing flavor! Loved this recipe!
You can find recipes for homemade Catalina dressing that tasted better than store bought. It’s a little bit more work but it’s really good. Just google and you will find several recipes. Basically ketchup, vinegar, sugar and some seasonings!
Can I use apricot preserves since I have that ? Just wonderin.
Thank you
Yes, I think that would be great in this recipe.
My grandma always made this in the oven so yummy Catalina dressing is all but impossible to find anymore what do you use instead?
I haven’t tried it yet but I think it would be good with French dressing as well.
Can I replace the chicken breasts with chicken thighs or tenderloins for the CROCK POT CATALINA CHICKEN recipe?
Yes, either chicken thighs or chicken tenders would work great in this recipe too.