Easy 5-Ingredient Crockpot Dump Dinner: A Budget-Friendly Weeknight Winner

Pin by Jessica Miller on Cheap Meals: Easy Crockpot Dump Dinner (5 Ingredients!)

Introduction

Looking for a budget-friendly meal that’s as easy as it is delicious? This 5-Ingredient Crockpot Dump Dinner checks all the boxes. With minimal prep, just a handful of simple ingredients, and the magic of your slow cooker, you’ll enjoy a hearty and flavorful meal that the whole family will love. Whether you’re a busy weeknight cook or planning meals on a budget, this recipe is a go-to crowd-pleaser that proves tasty doesn’t have to mean complicated or expensive.

Why This Easy Crockpot Dump Dinner Is a Winner

This recipe stands out because it requires almost no effort. Simply add your five ingredients to the crockpot, set it, and forget it. The gentle, slow simmer brings out rich flavors and ensures everything is cooked to tender perfection. Plus, clean-up is a breeze—especially ideal when you want a stress-free dinner solution.

Ingredients

You’ll need just five common, budget-friendly ingredients for this tasty crockpot meal:

Ingredients

1. 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
2. 1 (16 oz) jar salsa (your favorite variety)
3. 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
4. 1 can corn kernels, drained
5. 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a shopping list sorted by store section, making your grocery trips quicker and meal planning easier with CookifyAI!

CookifyAI meal planning interface

How to Make This 5-Ingredient Crockpot Dump Dinner

  1. Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the bottom of your slow cooker.
  2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken.
  3. Pour the salsa, black beans, and corn over the top.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  5. Shred the chicken in the crockpot using two forks and stir to combine with the other ingredients.
  6. Serve warm, as is, or spoon over rice, stuff into tortillas, or top with cheese, avocado, or sour cream as desired.

Serving Suggestions for Crockpot Dump Dinners

This dish is wonderfully versatile! Enjoy it over steamed rice, wrapped in soft tortillas for tacos, rolled into burritos, or spooned over a bed of greens for a hearty salad. Add a sprinkle of cheese or a dollop of sour cream for extra richness and appeal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves about 4-6 people, depending on portion sizes and sides. Each serving is approximately 300-350 calories (without added toppings), making it a light yet filling main course perfect for balanced dinners.

Weekly Meal Planning

This crockpot dinner is perfect for meal prep and weekly planning. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to streamline your weekly meal plan and create organized shopping lists that combine ingredients across all of your planned recipes.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically calculates total quantities needed for the week
  • Sorts your grocery list by store section for quick trips
  • Reduces duplicate purchases and helps avoid forgotten items
  • Helps you meal prep efficiently and stick to your budget

Pro tip: When planning multiple recipes for the week, use CookifyAI’s smart scheduling to see ingredient overlaps—for example, if another meal uses black beans or corn, you’ll know exactly how much to buy in one trip, reducing both costs and food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6-7 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH
Total Time: About 7 hours (mostly hands-off)


Enjoy delicious, affordable, and hassle-free dinners with this easy 5-ingredient crockpot dump meal—a must-have for your weeknight rotation and budget meal planning!

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