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    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken Recipe

    Published: Jun 14, 2021 · Modified: Sep 26, 2024 by Beth Sachs · 13 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Slow cooker hunters chicken pin image.

    Fuss-free slow cooker hunters chicken! A British pub classic which you can easily make at home.

    Plump chicken breasts are wrapped in streaky bacon and slow-cooked in a pepped-up store-bought barbecue sauce. The chicken is then transferred to an oven-proof dish, topped with grated cheese, and popped under the grill until the cheese is melted and gooey.

    Slow cooker hunters chicken in a serving dish.

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    This hunter's chicken is such a simple slow cooker recipe and a real crowd-pleaser too.

    After all, who doesn't love a chicken, bacon, bbq sauce, and cheese combo! It's one of the most requested meals in our house.

    👩‍🍳 If you love your slow cooker as much as I do, you might want to check out my slow cooker chicken fajitas too!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why should you try it?
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make Hunters Chicken in slow cooker
    • Top Tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋Related recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why should you try it?

    • An easy slow cooker meal.
    • A delicious family favourite.
    • Freezer-friendly.
    • Perfect with roast or mashed potatoes, rice, or salad.

    🥘 Ingredients

    Ingredients for slow cooker  hunters chicken.

    Chicken Breasts - 4 plump free-range chicken breasts.

    Streaky Bacon - you'll need 2 streaky bacon rashers per chicken breast.

    Pepped Up BBQ sauce - made using bottled BBQ sauce, tomato ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic granules, salt, and optional liquid smoke!

    Grated Cheese - a combination of cheddar and mozzarella for the best flavour.

    Panko Breadcrumbs - an optional extra that adds a nice crunchy texture to the chicken.

    Parsley - finely chopped to add colour and vibrancy to the dish.

    🔪 How to make Hunters Chicken in slow cooker

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Wrap two rashers of streaky bacon around each chicken breast.

    Two: Place the chicken into your slow cooker basin.

    Three: Mix together the BBQ sauce, tomato ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic granules, salt, and optional liquid smoke and pour it over the chicken. Cook on high for 3 hours.

    Step by step photo instructions for making hunters chicken.

    Four: Transfer the chicken and BBQ sauce to an oven-proof dish.

    Five: Sprinkle over the optional panko breadcrumbs, grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and place under the grill for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

    Six: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve!

    Step by step photo instructions for making hunters chicken in the slow cooker.

    Top Tips

    • If you don't have liquid smoke, use 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika instead.
    • No slow cooker? No problem! You can cook this dish in the oven too. Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts into an oven-proof dish, pour over the sauce, and bake at 180°C/160°Fan/350°F/Gas Mark 4 for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked the whole way through.  Sprinkle with grated cheese and return to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted. 

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    The slow cooker hunters chicken is perfect with polenta roast potatoes, creamy mashed potato, air-fryer sweet potato fries, air fryer baked potatoes, rice, or green veggies such as roasted tenderstem broccoli, or crispy air fryer broccoli.

    📖 Variations

    • Keep things simple and just use a BBQ sauce straight out of the bottle.
    • Use pork steaks or pork chops instead of chicken breasts for hunter's pork!
    • Swap the cheddar and mozzarella for different cheeses such as gruyere, or even crumbled Stilton.
    • Cut the fat by using reduced-fat cheese and rindless back bacon.
    • Spice it up by adding 1 teaspoon of chilli flakes to the BBQ sauce.
    Slow cooker hunters chicken in a serving dish.

    🥡 Storage

    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours and reheated in the microwave until piping hot.

    Alternatively, the hunter's chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe container and pop it in your freezer. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.

    ❓ FAQs

    Can I make this dish ahead of time?

    Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken tastes best when served fresh. However, you could wrap the bacon around the chicken and store it in the fridge until needed. You could also mix together the BBQ sauce ingredients ahead of time.

    Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

    Unfortunately, frozen chicken breasts are not suitable for use in a slow cooker. If your chicken breasts are frozen, make sure you have defrosted them thoroughly in the fridge before use.

    😋Related recipes

    More delicious chicken dinners to enjoy!

    • Creamy Paprika Chicken Pasta
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
    • Creme Fraiche Chicken
    • Garlic Butter Chicken
    • Chicken Stroganoff
    • Creamy Cider Chicken
    • Slow Cooker Diet Coke Chicken

    🍽️ More family-friendly recipes

    Love your slow cooker? Check out these delicious slow cooker recipes!

    • Slow cooker rolled lamb breast cut into slices with roast potatoes and stuffing.
      Slow Cooker Lamb Breast Recipe
    • Slow cooker red cabbage in a serving dish.
      Easy Slow Cooker Red Cabbage Recipe
    • Sliced slow cooker roast beef.
      Easy Slow Cooker Roast Beef Recipe
    • Slow cooker stewed apples in a black slow cooker basin.
      Slow Cooker Stewed Apples Recipe

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    Recipe

    Slow cooker hunters chicken.
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    5 from 15 votes

    Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken

    Plump chicken breasts are wrapped in streaky bacon and slow-cooked in a pepped-up store-bought barbecue sauce. The chicken is then transferred to an oven-proof dish, topped with grated cheese, and popped under the grill until the cheese is melted and gooey. A British pub classic!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 3 hours hours 3 minutes minutes
    Total Time 3 hours hours 8 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 528kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
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    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven Proof Baking Dish
    • Measuring Jug

    Ingredients

    • 4 Chicken Breasts
    • 8 Streaky Bacon Rashers
    • 250 g Barbecue Sauce
    • 2 tablespoon Tomato Ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Honey
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
    • 3 drops Liquid Smoke or use 2 teaspoon of Smoked Paprika instead
    • 4 tablespoon Panko Breadcrumbs optional
    • 50 g Grated Cheddar
    • 50 g Grated Mozzarella
    • 1 tablespoon Parsley finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Wrap two rashers of streaky bacon around each chicken breast. Place in your slow cooker basin.
      8 Streaky Bacon Rashers, 4 Chicken Breasts
    • Mix together the barbecue sauce, tomato ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, sea salt and liquid smoke if using. Pour over the chicken and cook on high for 3 hours.
      250 g Barbecue Sauce, 2 tablespoon Tomato Ketchup, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 teaspoon Honey, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt, 3 drops Liquid Smoke
    • Transfer the chicken and BBQ sauce to an oven-proof dish.
    • Sprinkle over the optional panko breadcrumbs, grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and place under the grill for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.
      4 tablespoon Panko Breadcrumbs, 50 g Grated Cheddar, 50 g Grated Mozzarella
    • Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve!
      1 tablespoon Parsley

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • If you don't have liquid smoke, use 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika instead.
    • No slow cooker? No problem! You can cook this dish in the oven too. Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts into an oven-proof dish, pour over the sauce, and bake at 180C/160Fan/350F/Gas Mark 4 for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked the whole way through.  Sprinkle with grated cheese and return to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.  
     
    Variations:
    • Keep things simple and just use a BBQ sauce straight out of the bottle.
    • Use pork steaks or pork chops instead of chicken breasts for hunter's pork!
    • Swap the cheddar and mozzarella for different cheeses such as gruyere, or even crumbled Stilton.
    • Cut the fat by using reduced-fat cheese and rindless back bacon.
    • Spice it up by adding 1 teaspoon of chili flakes to the BBQ sauce.
     
    Storage:
    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours and reheated in the microwave until piping hot. The hunters chicken can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    528
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    16
    g
    25
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    44
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    170
    mg
    57
    %
    Sodium
     
    1366
    mg
    59
    %
    Potassium
     
    1068
    mg
    31
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    37
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    25
    g
    28
    %
    Protein
     
    56
    g
    112
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    457
    IU
    9
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    4
    mg
    5
    %
    Calcium
     
    207
    mg
    21
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

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      Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily Flint

      June 14, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      5 stars
      I had never heard of Hunters Chicken until now but I know my family is going to go crazy for this dish. Anything with liquid smoke and melted cheese is a winner in my house. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      June 14, 2021 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      This was amazing and such a treat! Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Angela

      June 14, 2021 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      I love the pepped up BBQ sauce. This recipe is easy to make and a true crowd pleaser!

      Reply
    4. Petro

      June 14, 2021 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      I love, love cooking in the slow cooker, can't wait to give these a try! Looks incredible!

      Reply
    5. Marie-Charlotte Chatelain

      June 14, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      LOVE this! This is like the British answer to Chicken Cacciatore! I'll try it this week

      Reply
    6. Karen

      June 15, 2021 at 7:00 am

      I love Hunters chicken and often order it when we eat at the local pub! I’m also still using my slow cooker during the warmer months too - for easy evening meals. Karen

      Reply
    7. Janice

      June 15, 2021 at 11:42 am

      5 stars
      I love a slow cooker recipe and this looks just perfect!

      Reply
    8. Corina Blum

      June 15, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      It looks delicious! I still haven't tried anything with liquid smoke in but keep thinking I need to get some - I love all the flavours in this though!

      Reply
    9. Kate

      June 16, 2021 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      Aren't slow-cookers amazing? Such an easy and delicious dinner.

      Reply
    10. Cat | Curly's Cooking

      June 19, 2021 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my husband's favourite meals, but I haven't thought to do it in the slow cooker. Great idea - thanks!

      Reply
    11. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

      June 21, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      LOVE hunter's chicken! Such fab flavours 😀

      Reply
    12. Carole

      October 03, 2023 at 8:47 am

      Hi there. We love hunters chicken and wondered if I could make this using my homemade BBQ sauce?
      Thanks 😊

      Reply
      • Beth Sachs

        October 03, 2023 at 9:46 am

        Hi Carole, yes you can use homemade bbq sauce in this recipe. Enjoy!

        Reply
    5 from 15 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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