This Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Chicken Goulash is the kind of recipe that makes busy days feel manageable and dinner time something to look forward to. With just a handful of simple ingredients—chicken, diced tomatoes, onion, paprika, and salt—you can create a warm, comforting, and deeply flavorful meal that tastes like it has been simmering on the stove all day. The slow cooker does all the work, transforming humble ingredients into tender, shredded chicken in a rich, savory tomato sauce.
Goulash is a classic dish with roots in Hungarian cuisine, traditionally made with beef and plenty of paprika. This lighter chicken version captures all the warmth and depth of the original while being incredibly easy to prepare. Served over noodles, potatoes, or rice, it is the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings, busy weeknights, or any time you need a satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
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Just 5 Ingredients: Chicken, diced tomatoes, onion, paprika, and salt—simple and delicious.
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Set It and Forget It: The slow cooker does all the work, making this perfect for busy days.
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Tender, Shredded Chicken: Slow cooking ensures the chicken is fall-apart tender.
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Rich, Flavorful Sauce: Diced tomatoes and paprika create a savory, slightly sweet sauce.
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Versatile: Serve over noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread.
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Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable, pantry-staple ingredients.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Chicken Goulash
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours on LOW or 2½ to 3 hours on HIGH | Total Time: 5 to 6 hours
Servings: 4
This effortless chicken goulash is tender, flavorful, and made with just five simple ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a warm, comforting meal.
Ingredients
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2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds total)
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1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with their juices
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1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon sweet paprika (or regular paprika)
Instructions
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients
Place the raw chicken breasts in a single layer on the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 2: Add the Onion
Scatter the chopped onion evenly over and around the chicken breasts.
Step 3: Season
Sprinkle the salt and paprika over the chicken and onions.
Step 4: Add the Tomatoes
Pour the entire can of diced tomatoes, with all their juices, evenly over the chicken and onions in the slow cooker.
Step 5: Cook
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 2½ to 3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Step 6: Shred the Chicken
Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker, stirring it into the tomato and onion mixture to make a chunky, saucy goulash.
Step 7: Season and Serve
Taste and add a pinch more salt if needed. Serve the chicken goulash hot over noodles, potatoes, or rice, spooning plenty of the tomato gravy over each serving.
Tips for Perfect Chicken Goulash
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Use Sweet Paprika: Sweet paprika is traditional in Hungarian goulash and adds a mild, sweet pepper flavor. Smoked paprika can be used for a deeper, smokier taste.
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Do Not Overcook: Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily. Overcooking can dry out the meat, though the sauce helps keep it moist.
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Shred Right in the Slow Cooker:Shredding the chicken directly in the sauce allows it to absorb more flavor.
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Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
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Add Vegetables: For a heartier goulash, add diced bell peppers or carrots along with the onion.
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Taste Before Serving: Canned tomatoes vary in acidity and saltiness, so taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
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Chicken Thighs: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for breasts for even more flavor and tenderness.
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Beef Goulash: Use 1½ pounds of beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into cubes. Cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours.
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Add Garlic: Add 2 to 3 cloves of minced garlic along with the onion for extra flavor.
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Spicy Version: Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for heat.
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Creamy Goulash: Stir in ½ cup of sour cream or heavy cream at the end for a creamy version.
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Herb Addition: Add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or oregano for an herbal note.
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Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free; serve over gluten-free noodles or rice.
What to Serve with Chicken Goulash
This hearty, saucy dish is delicious served over:
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Egg Noodles: The classic pairing for goulash.
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Rice: White, brown, or cauliflower rice all work beautifully.
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Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up the sauce.
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Crusty Bread: Ideal for sopping up every last drop of the tomato gravy.
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Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted green beans, broccoli, or zucchini.
Storage and Reheating
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Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight.
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Freezer: This goulash freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed. The microwave can also be used for individual portions.
The History of Goulash
Goulash (gulyás in Hungarian) is a traditional dish that dates back to 9th-century Hungary, where it was originally a hearty stew prepared by herdsmen (gulyás) using beef, onions, and paprika. Over time, it evolved into a national dish and spread across Europe, with countless regional variations. Hungarian goulash is typically a soup-like stew with plenty of paprika, while American versions often incorporate tomatoes and are served over noodles.
This slow cooker chicken version honors the spirit of the original—a simple, comforting, and deeply flavorful dish made with humble ingredients.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe succeeds because of its simplicity and the magic of slow cooking. The chicken cooks gently in the tomato and onion mixture, absorbing the flavors of the paprika and seasonings. As it cooks, the chicken releases its own juices, which combine with the diced tomatoes to create a rich, savory sauce.
Shredding the chicken directly in the slow cooker allows it to soak up even more flavor, resulting in tender, juicy meat in every bite. The result is a dish that is both effortless and deeply satisfying.
Nutritional Information
Please note that values are estimates and will vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Per serving (based on 4 servings, without noodles):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220–280 |
| Protein | 32–36g |
| Carbohydrates | 10–12g |
| Fat | 4–6g |
| Saturated Fat | 1–2g |
| Fiber | 2–3g |
| Sugar | 6–8g |
| Sodium | 700–850mg |
Conclusion
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Chicken Goulash is proof that you do not need a long list of ingredients or complicated techniques to create a deeply satisfying meal. With just a handful of pantry staples and your slow cooker, you can enjoy tender, shredded chicken in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce that tastes like it has been simmering all day.
Whether you serve it over noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. It is comforting, effortless, and endlessly versatile.
I hope this recipe brings warmth and simplicity to your table. If you give it a try, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear how it turned out for you.