If you need some easy, flavorful dinner ideas, these dump dinners are a great addition to your menu. These dishes are perfect for busy nights because they can be made with minimal effort by simply tossing the ingredients in your slow cooker or pressure cooker. Another plus is that they contain at least 15 grams of protein per serving, a nutrient that supports bone and muscle repair and healthy weight management. Recipes like Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Soup and Slow Cooker Beef Curry are hearty dinners that are sure to satisfy.
Slow Cooker Broccoli and Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This hearty soup is loaded with broccoli and chicken in a creamy cheese base, and finished with classic toppings of bacon and scallions. Frozen onions and rice will preserve the texture and flavor of the soup, but you can also use fresh chopped onions and cooked brown rice (not frozen) instead.
Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
If you love spinach and artichokes, this soup is perfect for you. It has a creamy base and is packed with veggies and shredded chicken that soak up the broth while also providing a protein boost. Frozen artichoke hearts have less salt than canned artichokes, but you can also use canned artichokes. Just be sure to rinse them well before adding them to the slow cooker.
Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Noodles
To create the flavorful base of this soup, I take a few shortcuts and add ginger, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine to a store-bought broth and simmer it in a pressure cooker.
Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon and Potato Soup
This soup is perfect for welcoming fall. It’s hearty enough to kick off soup season, but it’s packed with stock and vegetables so it’s not too heavy.
Instant Pot Garlic Chicken and Farro with White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Earthy-tasting, chewy barley combined with tender chicken tossed in a tangy white balsamic vinaigrette makes a hearty main dish. This Instant Pot Chicken Recipe is ready in just 40 minutes, making it the perfect easy weeknight dinner.
Slow Cooker Beef Curry
A long, slow simmer mellows the flavors, and plenty of strong spices help the flavors hold up over time. This Thai curry-inspired dish does just that, with the rich flavors of Thai curry paste and fish sauce complemented by the freshness of coriander and lime juice. Serve with a bed of brown rice or brown rice noodles to catch all the sauce.
Turkish chickpea and lamb soup
This recipe is inspired by Turkey’s hearty lamb and chickpea soup, and is finished with a drizzle of pistachio-mint pesto for extra flavor.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Jason Donnelly
If you love buffalo wings, you’ll love the taste of this warm, hearty chili that’s easy to make in your slow cooker. The sour cream helps to cut down the heat, but you can also use plain strained yogurt.
Braised beef in black vinegar
After simmering all day, the fragrant aroma of star anise greets you upon coming home. Serve with rice or rice noodles.
Kale, Wild Rice, and Chicken Stew
Chicken thighs become perfectly tender after just a few hours in a slow cooker, and cooking everything low and slow allows all the flavors to meld together, delivering complex flavors in every bite.
Instant Pot Orange Jalapeno Chicken Wings
Sweet and tangy, these tender Instant Pot chicken wings have the perfect balance of orange and lime. They’re also super tart and sticky, so be sure to serve with plenty of paper towels.
Crockpot Pineapple Chicken
This slow cooker dish is flavored with hints of ginger and sesame and is made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Find fresh peeled and cored pineapple to make preparation even easier. Serve with brown rice to sop up the sweet and savory sauce.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Noodle Soup
This slow cooker chicken noodle soup fits the Mediterranean diet perfectly with plenty of veggies, chicken breasts, and whole wheat pasta. Serve with a salad and toasted whole wheat bread for an easy and healthy dinner.
Instant Pot Beef and Poblano Tostadas
The tangy, peppery beef is served on a crispy tostada with a colorful coleslaw.
