Slow Cooker Chicken Cheesesteaks are the ultimate weeknight dinner or lighter game day treat. Tender chicken, onions, peppers, cheese, and just the right spices are simmered together, then piled high on a toasty roll. Whether you call it Chicken Philly, crockpot chicken cheesesteak, or just comfort food, this simple dish is always a crowd pleaser.
**This is an updated version of a recipe that was originally written 7/2020**
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I was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. We are very proud of, but particular about, our cheesesteak sandwiches! According to my research, the lighter chicken version of this dish appeared on the scene in the 1980s.
This "healthier" cousin of the meat-filled version quickly became very popular. The good news is that your crockpot makes the best (easiest!) chicken cheesesteak!!
📝Shopping list
Following are the ingredients you'll need to make this chicken cheesesteak recipe. For quantities and full preparation instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Rolls - hoagie or sub-type rolls are traditional
- Chicken breast - boneless, skinless pieces. Thighs work well here too
- Olive oil - a good extra virgin olive oil always adds great flavor
- Dried, minced onion - a shelf-stable product that adds some good oniony flavor
- Italian dressing mix - I am a fan of Good Seasons
- Italian seasoning - If you don't have this, you can use a blend of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme
- Garlic - I use the jarred kind
- Onion - freshly diced or frozen
- Mushrooms - white or baby bella
- Bell peppers - I love to use a variety of colors for flavor
- Cheese - Provolone, American, or Cheese Wiz
💜Why love your slow cooker for this recipe
- Set-it-and-forget-it - everything goes in your slow cooker at the same time for a simple toss-and-go meal.
- Customizable - let everyone build their own chicken cheesesteak with their choice of toppings (see suggestions below). This makes a great grab-and-go dinner on busy nights as well as game-day snacking.
- Incredible flavor - cooking this chicken dish low and slow allows the flavors of the peppers and onions to infuse right into the tender chicken.
- Better for you - This chicken recipe is already a lighter version than its beef cheesesteak cousin. Plus, it is not cooked with a ton of oil, giving you a healthier meal that is still fun!
🎥Watch how to make it
Preparing Your Slow Cooker
Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent. Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings.
NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface. Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface. Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns.
Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.
Get Cooking
- Step 1: Add chicken breasts to a greased slow cooker
- Step 2: Coat with olive oil and sprinkle all seasonings on top of chicken
- Step 3: Add onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours
- Step 4: After cooking, remove chicken and shred
- Step 5: Return shredded chicken to your crock pot and mix with other ingredients
- Step 6: Top with cheese and cover again until cheese melts. Then build your sandwich!!
How to build a Philly Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich
- Top with your favorite condiments (see next section for suggestions) and take a gooey, delicious bite!!!
- Slice open a hoagie roll and stuff it with your delicious chicken and cheese mixture.
- Optional: toast your roll if you like extra crunch
- Optional: if you want it even cheesier, add more cheese on top and place it under the broiler for a few minutes to melt.
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🌶️Serving ideas
There is no wrong way to top the chicken cheesesteak recipe. But here are some of our favorites:
- Hot peppers
- Sweet peppers
- Pickled onions
- Caramelized onions
- Pickle slices
- Pizza sauce
- Marinara Sauce
- Bbq sauce
- Ketchup
- Buffalo sauce
- Cheez Whiz
Not a sandwich person? Serve your chicken cheese steak filling on top of rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, pasta, or in a bowl with grilled veggies.
Storing leftovers
Store leftovers of your crockpot chicken cheesesteak without the bread. It will last for 3-4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Frozen leftovers should be defrosted overnight in the refrigerator and gently microwaved before adding to a hoagie roll.
😉Hints & hacks
- This is a great dish for families eating at different times. After cooking, turn your slow cooker to the warm setting so dinner stays ready.
- If you love this dish, you will also love crock pot cheesesteak sloppy Joes
- Freeze leftovers in meal-sized containers for easy reheat-and-eat meals.
- For the easiest clean-up, use a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step.
- Pre-cut onions save time and tears! Frozen diced onions are inexpensive and work really well.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
- Don't forget to plug your slow cooker in and turn it on! 😏
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Cheesesteak Recipe
(Click on the stars to leave a rating)
Print Pin Rate SaveAll nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
Equipment
- slow cooker
- Knife and cutting board
- 2 forks (or other equipment for preferred method of shredding chicken)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 7 oz Italian dressing mix packet
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1½ tablespoon garlic minced
- 12 oz onion freshly diced or frozen
- 8 oz mushrooms (I like baby bellas) sliced, fresh or canned
- 3 bell peppers sliced (see notes)
- salt and pepper to taste
- Provolone or Mozzarella Shredded or sliced
- Hoagie Rolls (Crusty Italian Sub Rolls)
Instructions
- Place 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast into greased slow cooker
- pour 2 tablespoon olive oil over chicken pieces
- sprinkle 2 tablespoon dried minced onion, 7 oz Italian dressing mix packet, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and 1½ tablespoon garlic over chicken
- Add 12 oz onion, 8 oz mushrooms (I like baby bellas) , and 3 bell peppers to slow cooker
- cover and cook 4-6 hours on low or 2-4 hours on high. Your chicken is ready for the next step when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks
- return shredded chicken to slow cooker and mix in with onions and mushrooms. Add salt and pepper to taste
- Top with shredded or sliced Provolone or Mozzarella (provolone is the most traditional option). Cover slow cooker and allow to melt
To Build Your Sandwich
- Cut open Hoagie Rolls (Crusty Italian Sub Rolls), and fill with chicken mixture
- top with more cheese of choice
- Optional step: Place open-face sandwich under the broiler to melt cheese further.
Final Step
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Video
Notes
- Calorie information is for sandwich filling. It does not include calories for cheese or roll.
- Peppers can be any color of your choice. Green peppers will have a stronger flavor. Red, yellow and orange will add a sweeter touch
Nutrition
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
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Disclaimer
I love this dish! But it is not a true Philly chicken cheesesteak. To experience the real deal, you must travel to Philadelphia and order from one of our many famous purveyors of this local treat! If you need a recommendation of where to get a true Philly cheesesteak, comment below or DM me, and I will give you some awesome suggestions!
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Alyssa says
can you freeze leftover chicken mixture?
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
Absolutely! Just freeze in an airtight container or zip top bag and they will last 3-4 months! The perfect way to have some easy reheat-and-eat meals!
Thanks for asking!
Terri Freedman says
I like slow cooker recipes & meals because it saves me time to come home to a dinner already made.
Susan says
I couldn't agree more! Slow cooker recipes are the best!