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You know those days where you’ve got nothing planned for dinner, time’s already slipping away, and everyone’s gonna be hungry at exactly the same moment?
That’s when I pull out this Hurry Chicken recipe.
It’s one of those old-school, sticky-sauced slow cooker meals that takes five minutes to throw together and makes your house smell like you’ve been cooking all day. I don’t even remember where I first saw the recipe — probably scribbled on the back of an envelope from someone at church or clipped from a 90s magazine — but it stuck.
Because it works.
And because it’s the kind of meal that shows up for you when you don’t have the energy to think, chop, or fuss.
Why This Recipe Stays on Repeat
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Hands-off and stress-free – You mix, dump, and walk away.
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Great for drumsticks or thighs – Cheap cuts shine here.
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Sauce is sweet, tangy, and just a little spicy – Total flavor bomb.
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Feeds the family with zero complaints – And maybe even second helpings.
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Leftovers reheat like a dream – And the sauce only gets better.
What You’ll Need (It’s All Pretty Basic)
You probably have most of this in your pantry already. That’s the beauty of it.
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6–8 chicken drumsticks or thighs (about 3 lbs) – Skin off, bone in is fine. Boneless works too if you adjust the cook time.
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1 cup ketchup – Plain old ketchup, nothing fancy.
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1/3 cup brown sugar – Light or dark, whatever you’ve got.
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth and that little “something.”
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1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes – Just enough heat. Skip or double depending on your crowd.
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1 packet dry onion soup mix – That old Lipton standby. Adds major flavor with no effort.
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1/3 cup water – For the sauce base.
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1 tablespoon cornstarch – Helps the sauce thicken just right.
How to Make It (This Couldn’t Be Easier)
1. Mix Up the Sauce
In a bowl, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, and onion soup mix. You don’t need to whisk it forever — just get it combined.
2. Thicken It a Bit
In a separate little cup or bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the water until it’s smooth. Then pour that into the sauce mixture and stir it all together. It’ll look loose now, but it’ll thicken beautifully as it cooks.
3. Prep the Crockpot
Spray the insert of your slow cooker with nonstick spray (or rub a little oil in there). Lay your chicken pieces in an even layer.
4. Sauce It
Pour the whole bowl of sauce right over the chicken. Make sure every piece is coated — it’s okay if it’s not perfect. The sauce will soak in while it cooks.
5. Set It and Go
Cover and cook on:
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High for 3 hours, or
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Low for 5 hours
You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened and bubbled a bit.
Serve it as-is, spooned over rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even with roasted veggies.
Extra Tips & Add-Ins
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Want it smokier? Add a splash of BBQ sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika.
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Feeding more folks? Add another pound of chicken and just increase the sauce a bit.
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Make it sweeter or tangier depending on your mood — taste the sauce before adding it and adjust if you like.
Storing Leftovers
Any extras keep just fine in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. I usually spoon the chicken and sauce into a glass container and reheat in the microwave — it stays juicy and flavorful.
You can also shred the meat and use it in wraps, on buns, or over baked potatoes. Super flexible.
The Last Word (And Maybe a Second Helping)
There’s nothing fancy about Hurry Chicken — and that’s what I love about it. It’s dependable, tasty, and takes five minutes to get into the slow cooker. Sometimes that’s exactly the kind of meal we need.
If you make it, let me know how it goes! Did your kids love it? Did you spice it up or serve it over something new? I’d love to hear.
Slow Cooker Hurry Chicken
Ingredients
- 6-8 chicken drumsticks or thighs, about 3 pounds, skin removed
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flake
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flake, and onion soup mix. Stir until well combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch into water, then add to the sauce mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Coat the insert of a slow cooker with nonstick spray, then arrange chicken pieces inside.
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked through. Serve and enjoy!