Freezer Meals 101

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Freezer to Crock Pot

Cilantro Lime Chicken with Corn and Black Beans

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We’ve been making this cilantro lime chicken for quite a few years now. It’s such a pretty freezer meal in the bag. This makes it pretty satisfying once you’ve assembled it and can stand back and admire your work! That may sound silly, but every time, I always comment on how pretty it is.Cilantro Lime Chicken #freezermeals101 #freezercooking #chickenrecipes #whatsfordinner This is a freezer to crockpot® meal. It’s easy and delicious. With so many colorful ingredients, it’s healthy too!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe:

  • 3 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 19 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 12 oz. can kernel corn, drained
  • 1 purple onion, minced
  • 1 tsp. chipotle spice
  • dash salt and pepper

collage of cilantro lime chicken with corn and black beans in the freezer bag, crockpot and on a tortillaAssembly instructions:

  1. Cube the chicken and add it to a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Add the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic cloves, drained black beans and corn, minced purple onions, and seasonings.
  3. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal. Freeze. close up of cilantro lime chicken with corn and black beans on a tortilla with guacamole, sour cream and salsa

Cooking instructions (Crock Pot):

  1. On the day of cooking, take out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours.
  3. Serve on flour tortillas with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Cooking instructions (Oven):

  1. Thaw.
  2. Bake in 350° oven for one hour.

labelled freezer bag with cilantro lime chicken, corn and black beans

Isn’t that freezer bag pretty?!

Your family will really enjoy this fresh-tasting cilantro lime chicken freezer meal. And you’ll love how easy it is to get supper on the table.

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Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken, crock pot
Servings: 6
Calories: 572 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 large chicken breasts boneless and skinless, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 cup cilantro chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 19 oz. can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 12 oz. can kernel corn drained
  • 1 purple onion minced
  • 1 tsp. chipotle spice
  • dash salt and pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:

  1. Cube the chicken and add to a large resealable freezer bag.

  2. Add the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic cloves, drained black beans and corn, minced purple onions, and seasonings.

  3. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal. Freeze.
Cooking instructions:

  1. On the day of cooking, take out of the freezer to thaw.

  2. Dump the bag contents into a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours.

  3. Serve on flour tortillas with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Check out some of our other freezer to slow cooker meals:

Beef Curry Freezer Meal close up of beef curry with peppers in a bowl

Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos
close up of salsa verde chicken tacos

Freezer to Crock Pot Beef Stew close up of crockpot beef stew

Mahjong Chicken Dump Recipe

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This easy-to-make recipe has a unique flavor. We call it Mahjong Chicken and it’s a must-try.

Using the dump recipe method, this meal can be assembled in minutes and then frozen. It can be cooked in the crockpot or in the oven.

Mahjong Chicken with rice and broccoli salad #freezermeals101 #mahjongchicken #mealdumprecipe #freezermeal My neighbor and I loved the taste of this recipe, but we weren’t sure what to call it. Given some of the Asian flavors like the fish sauce, Chinese 5 spice, and Thai sweet chili sauce, we decided to name it Mahjong after the game that originated in China.

Mahjong Chicken Dump Recipe:

  • 3-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (alternately, you can use 8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. Chinese 5 spice
  • 1/4 tsp. lemon pepper

collage of mahjong chicken with sides of salad and rice

Assembly instructions:

  1. In a large resealable freezer bag, place the chicken breasts and then dump all the other ingredients on top.
  2. Squish to combine.
  3. Remove the excess air before sealing the bag. Freeze.

Oven cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into a casserole dish and bake covered at 350° for 55 minutes.

Crockpot® cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place chicken and sauce into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

close up of mahjong chicken with salad and rice on the side

Suggested side dishes for Mahjong Chicken:

You can find other simple-to-make chicken recipes in our Chicken Dump Recipes cookbook. It includes printable labels and grocery lists, making it easier than ever to get dinner on the table. 

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Mahjong Chicken
Course: Main Course
Keyword: chicken, chicken dump
Servings: 6
Calories: 258 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp. garlic minced
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. Chinese 5 spice
  • 1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:

  1. In a large resealable freezer bag, place the chicken breasts and then dump all the other ingredients on top.

  2. Squish to combine.
  3. Remove the excess air before sealing the bag. Freeze.
Oven cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into a casserole dish and bake covered at 350° for 55 minutes.
Crock pot cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Place chicken and sauce into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
Recipe Notes

Instead of chicken breasts, you can use 8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.

Some of our other easy chicken freezer meals for you:

Lemon Garlic Chicken Dump Recipe close up of lemon garlic chicken served with riceHoney Sesame Chicken Dump Recipe close up of honey sesame chicken served with carrots and salad

Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Poblano

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No one will ever guess that this slow cooker spicy chicken poblano is actually a freezer meal! The flavors are fresh. There is a nice kick to it and the spiciness can be adjusted to your tastes.

Spicy Poblano Chicken in the Slow Cooker (no one will ever guess that it's a freezer meal!) #freezermeals101 #freezercooking #crockpotrecipes #makeaheadmeals #slowcookerrecipesThis recipe is keto-friendly (low carb, no sugar) and gluten-free if served on cauliflower rice. You can adjust the spiciness of this dish by the heat of the salsa you use and the cheese you choose to top it with.

Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Poblano:

  • 3 lbs. chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 2 poblano peppers, sliced lengthwise
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 14 oz. jar medium or spicy salsa
  • 1 lime
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded taco or tex mex cheese blend
  • dash of salt and pepper

For the cooking day:

  • 1/3 cup water

Assembly instructions:

  1. Slice the poblano peppers into long slices.
  2. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable freezer bag or a reusable silicone freezer bag. Take out any excess air and seal the bag.
  3. Add the pepper slices, juice of the lime, the minced garlic, the jar of salsa, and salt and pepper.
  4. Place the shredded cheese in a medium-sized freezer bag, seal and staple it (above the seal) to the other bag. Freeze.

Slow Cooker cooking instructions:

  1. Take the poblano chicken meal out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the contents of the large bag (chicken and pepper mixture) into the crockpot.
  3. Add 1/3 cup water.
  4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours.
  5. Top with the shredded cheese and replace the lid for 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
  6. Serve over rice.

What is a poblano pepper?

When it’s dried, the poblano pepper is called an ancho chile. For this recipe, you’ll be using the fresh version of poblano peppers.

Poblano peppers are on the milder side of the Scoville scale that measures the spiciness of peppers. They range from 1,000 Scoville heat units to 1,500. For contrast sake, jalapeño peppers rate between 2,500 to 10,000 Scoville heat units.

While the poblano pepper is considered quite mild, you can occasionally get one that’s quite hot. Like most peppers, there can be quite a range.

You can find more freezer to crockpot recipes in our Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Plans. You’ll not only get the recipes, but also shopping lists, prep lists, and printable labels to take the guesswork out of weeknight meals. 

Print
Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Poblano
Course: Main Course
Keyword: spicy chicken
Servings: 6
Calories: 379 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs. chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 2 poblano peppers sliced lengthwise
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 14 oz. jar medium or spicy salsa
  • 1 lime
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded taco or tex mex cheese blend
  • dash of salt and pepper
For cooking day:
  • 1/3 cup water
  • fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Slice the poblano peppers in long slices.

  2. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable freezer bag or a reusable silicone freezer bag. Take out any excess air and seal the bag.

  3. Add the pepper slices, juice of the lime, the minced garlic, the jar of salsa, and salt and pepper.

  4. Place the shredded cheese in a medium sized freezer bag, seal and staple it (above the seal) to the other bag. Freeze.

Slow Cooker cooking instructions:

  1. Take the poblano chicken meal out of the freezer to thaw.

  2. Dump the contents of the large bag (chicken and pepper mixture) into the crock pot.

  3. Add 1/3 cup water.

  4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours.

  5. Top with the shredded cheese and replace the lid for 10 minutes to allow cheese to melt.

  6. If desired, top with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve over rice.

Find other tasty make-ahead crockpot meals:

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

close up of chicken pesto with vegetables on a baking sheet

Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole Slow Cooker Beef Curry close up of beef curry Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos close up of salsa verde chicken tacos

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Buns

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The first time I made this shredded buffalo chicken on buns for dinner, I didn’t get to taste it. My kids were so in love with it, that some of them went in for seconds and thirds before I realized what was happening. When I went to scoop up myself, there was nothing left!

Gotta love an awesome tasting meal that goes from the freezer to the crock pot! Buffalo Chicken on Buns #freezermeals101 #crockpotrecipes #buffalochicken #makeaheadmeals #freezertocrockpotLooking at the inside of that empty crockpot could have made me angry, but instead, I was thrilled! I love when I find a meal that every single one of my kids will eat with no complaints. We had a winner on our hands!

I was slightly less thrilled with the notion of warming up leftovers for myself for supper, but I knew I would get to try it the next time. I also knew how easy it had been to put together. It was an easy decision to put it into the regular freezer meal rotation.

This recipe takes minutes to throw together, so it’s easy to make several at a time so that you always have one on hand to pull out of the freezer.

I love freezer to slow cooker recipes because they combine two things that make getting supper on the table easier and faster.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Buns:

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz. package of cream cheese
  • 1 bottle of Frank’s Red Hot sauce
  • 1 envelope of dry Ranch seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions for assembly:

  1. Put the chicken breasts into a large resealable freezer bag or silicone reusable freezer bag.
  2. Dump the other ingredients into the bag.
  3. Take out any extra air. Seal and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

If you are using a slow cooker liner, add it to the slow cooker. They are not necessary but make clean-up so simple.

  1. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Cook in the crockpot on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken.
  3. Spoon the chicken mixture onto buns to serve.

This mixture would also be great for making cute little buffalo chicken sliders to serve at a potluck or Super Bowl gathering or birthday party.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to me how much my kids loved this recipe. They devour my buffalo chicken dip and request that I make it often. This shredded buffalo chicken has many of the same flavors as the dip does.

Possible Toppings for Buffalo Chicken Buns or Sliders:

  • blue cheese (slice or crumbles)
  • Mozza or cheddar cheese (sliced or shredded)
  • pickles
  • Ranch dressing
  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
  • coleslaw

Find more freezer to slow cooker recipes in our Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Plans. It includes recipes, a shopping list, and printable labels, making it so easy to get dinner on the table for your family.

Check out some of our other make-ahead crockpot® recipes that can be served on buns:

BBQ Pulled Pork close up of pulled pork on a bun with sauceSlow Cooker Beef Dip close up of beef on a bun with dipBBQ Shredded Chicken with Garlic Mayo on Buns collage of BBQ shredded chicken on a bun plated and in the slow cooker

Print
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Buns
Course: Main Course
Keyword: buffalo, chicken
Servings: 6
Calories: 300 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz. package of cream cheese
  • 1 bottle of Frank's Red Hot sauce
  • 1 envelope of dry Ranch seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
For cooking day:
  • buns
Instructions
Directions for assembly:

  1. Put the chicken breasts into a large resealable freezer bag or silicone reusable freezer bag.

  2. Dump the other ingredients into the bag.
  3. Take out any extra air. Seal and freeze.
Cooking instructions:

  1. If you are using a slow cooker liner, add it to the slow cooker. They are not necessary but make clean-up so simple.

  2. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.

  3. Cook in the crockpot on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken.

  4. Spoon the chicken mixture onto buns to serve.

Rustic Beef Stew Recipe for the Slow Cooker

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This rustic beef stew recipe is simple and hearty. Having it made ahead in the freezer and ready to go in the crockpot® is the way to go! Rustic Beef Stew for the Slow Cooker #crockpotcooking #crockpotrecipes #freezermeals101 #freezercooking #freezertocrockpot #slowcookerrecipes #beefrecipesOnce this homemade beef stew has spent the day in the crockpot, it is fall-apart-tender.

This all-in-one meal takes the guesswork out of everything. It is easy, easy to put together and there’s no way to mess this recipe up. That is very good news for beginner cooks or those who haven’t had the best of luck in the kitchen. close up of rustic beef slow cooker stew in a bowlWith beef stew, you can do so many variations and put your own spin on it, but sometimes, it’s nice to go back to a simple classic beef stew recipe like this. This is just good old-fashioned comfort food.

Rustic Beef Stew Recipe:

  • 2 lb. beef stew meat
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 stalks of celery, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 Tbsp. seasoning salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper

For the day of cooking:

  • 4 potatoes, cubed* (peeled or not peeled, depending on your preference)

Assembly instructions:

  1. Dump all the ingredients (except the potatoes) into a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Remove the excess air.
  3. Seal and freeze.

collage of rustic beef slow cooker stew in bowlsSlow Cooker Cooking Instructions:

  1. Take the bag of stew out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Place the bag contents into the slow cooker along with the cubed potatoes.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  4. Serve immediately with bread or buns.

A note about the potatoes: *I find that the consistency of potatoes changes when they are frozen, so I prefer to add them on the day of cooking. For best results, I suggest you do the same.

This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and also suitable for a Paleo diet.

Find more freezer to crockpot recipes along with shopping lists, prep lists, and printable labels in our Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Plans. 

Check out some of our other hearty make-ahead recipes for the slow cooker:

Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole close up of beefy rice slow cooker casseroleChicken Cacciatoreclose up of chicken cacciatore on pastaBeef Curry Freezer Meal close up of beef curry in a bowl

Print
Rustic Beef Stew Recipe
Course: Soup
Keyword: beef, stew
Servings: 6
Calories: 374 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2 lb. beef stew meat
  • 3 carrots peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 stalks of celery diced
  • 1 onion diced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 Tbsp. seasoning salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
For the day of cooking:
  • 4 potatoes cubed (peeled or not peeled, depending on your preference)
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Dump all the ingredients (except the potatoes) into a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Remove the excess air.
  3. Seal and freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Take the bag of stew out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Place the bag contents into the slow cooker along with the cubed potatoes.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Recipe Notes

Serve immediately with bread or buns.