9 Essential Grilled (and Marinated) Chicken Recipes for Summer

Chicken is the bird of summer. It’s relatively healthy, grills up fast, and changes its character, depending on what you marinate it with, and how you sauce or glaze it. Whether you’re making grilled chicken breast, grilled chicken thighs, or grilled chicken wings, we’ve got a recipe for you. Here, to inspire three months full of grilling, are 9 of the best grilled chicken recipes to make the most of this most seasonal of proteins. Go ahead and serve it up with some of our most interesting BBQ sides for summer, too.

1. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lime Cilantro Marinade

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Some of the same stuff that flavors good guacamole—lime juice, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro —goes into the marinade for these. It’s a dish as laidback as guac, too, whether cut up fajitas-style or served whole. Get our Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lime Cilantro Marinade recipe.

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2. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Easy Lemon Marinade

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Light and zesty as summer itself, the marinade gives these boneless skinless chicken breasts a bright hit of lemon, chile, and black pepper. This is a recipe you’ll lean on often, as it’s the perfect easy main dish for summer. Get our Grilled Chicken Breasts with Easy Lemon Marinade recipe.

Related Reading: 11 Healthy Grilled Chicken Recipes in Under 30 Minutes

3. Spicy Yogurt Chicken

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In vivid style, yogurt, lemon, fresh ginger, garlic, smoked and hot paprika, cumin, and cayenne flavor cubes of boneless chicken thigh. Thread the pieces onto skewers, fire up the grill, and enjoy a perfect taste of summer. Get our Spicy Yogurt Chicken recipe.

4. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Rosemary Marinade

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Marinate your chicken breasts in this high-flavor marinade that combines balsamic vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and fresh rosemary, creating an unusually bold flavor profile. Get our Grilled Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Rosemary Marinade recipe.

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5. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Honey-Dijon Marinade

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Honey and Dijon go into a time-honored dipping sauce for fast-food chicken nuggets, why not apply them to the marinade for grilled chicken breasts at home? Sweetness and pungency in perfect balance, to give chicken breasts the oomph they need. Get our Grilled Chicken Breasts with Honey-Dijon Marinade recipe.

6. Grilled Chicken Thighs with Soy Marinade

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Simpler and lighter than teriyaki, this marinade of soy sauce, extra-virgin olive oil, and garlic is a three-ingredient wonder for making grilled chicken thighs taste delicious. Since you probably already have the marinade ingredients in your pantry, it’s good for an impromptu meal, too. Get our Grilled Chicken Thighs with Soy Marinade recipe.

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7. Grilled Chicken Thighs with Miso Marinade

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Sweet, earthy yellow miso blends with fresh ginger, garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy, and chile garlic sauce to make the fullest-flavored marinade imaginable for chicken thighs. Get our Grilled Chicken Thighs with Miso Marinade recipe.

8. Easy Thai Grilled Chicken Breasts

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Marinated with cilantro, garlic, brown sugar, white pepper, Asian fish sauce, and soy sauce, this take on grilled chicken breasts packs a flavorful punch. This recipe serves as a great last-minute main dish, as it only takes 30 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook. Pair with a simple green salad and you’re all set! Get our Easy Thai Grilled Chicken Breasts recipe.

9. Easy Grilled Buffalo Wings

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Marinating these chicken wings in a mixture of buttermilk, garlic powder, and barbeque sauce ensures that they won’t get dry out on the grill. Use a barbecue sauce of your choice to adjust the hotness of your chicken wings, and pair with your favorite dipping sauce. Get our Easy Grilled Buffalo Wings recipe.

Keep Reading: Grilling Tips, Techniques, Tricks, and Tools: Everything You Need to Know About BBQ

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How to Make Sushi at Home: It’s Easier Than You Think

If You Love S’mores, You Have the Girl Scouts to Thank

Now that it’s summertime, you’ve probably found yourself lounging by the fire pit, or maybe you’re basking in the glow of a bonfire down at the beach. No matter what open flames you’re gazing into, you’ve probably been tempted to roast a marshmallow or two. Better yet, combine them with chocolate and graham crackers for the ultimate outdoorsy treat—s’mores. First you have one, and then you have s’more. A lot more.

Isn’t it strange how the combination of these three basic ingredients instantly transforms into something altogether magical when united in ooey-gooey harmony? While a campfire snack staple now, it wasn’t always this way. After all, someone had to come up with this ingenious idea to put them all together.

Related Reading: 7 Foil Packet Meals That Are Perfect for Camping

Let’s start with one key ingredient: marshmallows. The concept of toasting these sugary pillows over campfires began in the late 1800s. Beach towns in the Northeast popularized the idea by hosting parties at summer resorts with the specific intent of heating up marshmallows. At the time, this idea was novel and even romantic. According to one 1892 newspaper article that recounted a roast that took place in Asbury Park, N.J., “Marshmallow roasts are an excellent medium for flirtation…appropriately exhibited by nibbling the marshmallows of each other’s sticks.” The innuendo speaks for itself.

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But who decided to add the chocolate and the graham crackers? Turns out we have the Girl Scouts to thank for that pivotal pairing. The first-ever recipe for this delightful sweet snack can be traced back to a publication from 1927 titled “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” The book includes lots of tips and tricks for enjoying a successful hike. But what’s hidden within its 118 pages lies one of the culinary world’s greatest gifts. Just below instructions for how to perfectly roast an apple is a recipe simply titled “Some More.” It’s directions are as simple as the result is divine:

“Toast two marshmallows over the coals to a crisp gooey state and put them inside a graham cracker and chocolate bar sandwich. The heat of the marshmallow between the halves of chocolate bar will melt the chocolate a bit. Though it tastes like ‘some more’ one is really enough.” That last part is really deceptive though. After all, you can always have s’more dessert!

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The recipe is credited to Loretta Scott Crew who made the treat for her troop during a camping trip. And while the name would eventually take on an abbreviated form, we still have her to thank for popularizing an amazing and rather ingenious idea. Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised though? Girl Scouts have been ruling snacktime since 1917 with their vast array of cookie offerings, so really, it makes total sense.

If you’re looking to elevate your s’mores game beyond its humble scouting origins, there are plenty of ways to update the classic recipe. For instance, this variation adds bacon for a meaty kick. Or try giving it a fondue finish for an extra decadent twist. And if you’re just looking for other dessert options that still contain this gooey trifecta of ingredients, try making s’mores-flavored brownies, ice cream, and this incredible icebox terrine, so you can enjoy the taste of a campfire all year long.

Read More: Go Beyond S’mores with These Marshmallow Recipes

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Healthy Strawberry Shortcake Is a Treat for Your Waistband

Today is National Strawberry Shortcake Day, though I probably didn’t have to tell you that. Strawberry shortcake is one of those special summer dishes that never goes out of style and can follow any meal. The name of the dessert alone conjures up an iconic feeling of sitting outside with family and friends as the sunlight slants golden in the distance, as you dip a fork into a tasty combination of cake, whipped cream, and fruit.

With innumerable ways to serve the dish, it deserves a spot on tables everywhere, from modest picnics to high-fashion dinners. And since strawberries are relatively easy to grow and plentiful in the warmer periods of the year, a good strawberry shortcake recipe is a must-have for your kitchen cookbook.

Related Reading: Say Hello to Spring With These 7 Strawberry Shortcake Recipes

But while strawberry shortcake is a treat for your taste buds, it’s not always the healthiest dish on the menu. Especially when it becomes a regular on the table, as it does in a lot of homes throughout the summer months when strawberries are plentiful. There are, of course, countless ways to put together this favorite recipe and if you’re looking to impress, we’d suggest our Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake recipe.

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Our healthier take on Strawbery Shortcake:

If you’re hoping for the same great taste but trying to spare the calories, there are several ways that you can trim down that shortcake recipe to a healthier treat that is still worth craving. First, we recommend focusing on the cake. While a fluffy, sweet shortcake is hard to pass up, you might want to opt for a biscuit that won’t pack quite as many calories. We have a recipe for a Strawberry Shortcake that features a biscuit too. And it’s not too difficult to make quick substitutions to our dish—consider putting the biscuit together without sugar. If you want to cut back even more, try opting for a scone recipe, like this one, and maybe use a 2% milk instead of heavy cream.  

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When choosing strawberries for your dessert, the best advice is the same that we give for any produce: buy local. Nothing tastes better than a batch of strawberries that were picked in the past few days. And supporting local farmers will always be a great decision. If you can’t get to a farmer’s market, try going organic. Unfortunately, the strawberry market is rather monopolized by region—roughly 80% of the strawberries in the United States come from California—so it always seems difficult to find quality organic strawberries. If you’re not buying organic, be sure to soak the berries for a while to wash away the pesticides and other chemicals that might be clinging to them.

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The final ingredient included in strawberry shortcake is whipped cream, and even if you’re counting calories, it wouldn’t be fair for us to suggest an incomplete dessert. But there are plenty of tasty alternatives to whip-from-a-can. This homemade recipe is easy to make and tastes much fresher than those tubs of whipped cream that you might buy from the supermarket.

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When serving this iconic dish, there are plenty of ways to dress it up; a strawberry drizzle is always a safe option, but don’t be afraid to experiment—just remember, you might add in some extra calories. If you’re really feeling outside-the-box, try a chocolate sauce finish or a light caramel. But whatever you choose, make sure that you enjoy this dish with friends.

Read More: A Bushel of Recipes to Make Now That It’s Strawberry Season

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Friday Food Finds: Fire Cider, Bloody Mary Olives, Chili Pistachios, and More!

Now that the unofficial arrival of summer is here, your weekend schedule is surely jam-packed with backyard barbecues, beach parties, and picnics in the park. And if you’re like any typical American whose cooking skills are questionable at best, we’re here to offer a few store-bought suggestions from this week’s Chub Chub Chowdown segment on the Taylor Strecker Show. Scroll down to check them out, including the ones that didn’t get our official seal of approval. (You should try them and decide for yourself. We all have different tastes, after all.)

Wandering Whistler Alcoholic Tea (Earl Grey and Elderflower)

Who needs beer and hard liquor? We may have just found our new favorite drink for summer. And at only 140 calories, these may one-up hard seltzers as our preferred poolside libation. Nothing about it tastes artificial or cheap and we’re excited to try its sister flavor, jasmine, for what will surely be a more floral experience. Good on you, Wandering Whistler!

Prana Sumsuma Sesame Squares

If you love sesame seeds, you’re in for an absolute treat. If you’re kind of meh about sesame seeds, you’ll be meh about these (since they’re literally just sesame seeds and cane sugar). Taylor and I were big fans of the texture and think they’re an excellent alternative to something a little more unhealthy. I’d actually recommend breaking these up and throwing them in a yogurt or oatmeal for added crunch.

Divina Bloody Mary Olives

These. Are. Addictive. They have an awesome level of horseradish heat and would pair excellently with bacon in a traditional bloody mary.  I also can’t wait to throw them on a charcuterie board with salty cheeses and cured meats. There is obviously a significant part of the population that despises olives, but these may be the ones to change some minds and some unforgiving palates.

Setton Farms Pistachios (Chili Limón)

It’s pretty hard to mess up a pistachio. The chili lemon flavor is quite subtle and we would have preferred a little more spice, but we devoured these almost immediately, leading us to believe that they’d make a perfect on-the-go snack. Yay, healthy fats.

Spiritus Vitae Botanicals Fire Cider

Drinking vinegars are all the rage for their digestion, metabolism, and immunity-boosting benefits, though they can sometimes be difficult to swallow. Not with this Nebraska-based line of fire cider! There is a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tang, which means you can also toss the fiery elixir into a salad dressing or bloody mary. I swear by the health properties of apple cider vinegar and this company is a great introduction for those who may be skeptical. You’ll also be supporting a small local business!

Sailor Jerry Savage Apple Spiced Rum

We’re not sure if this will replace Fireball as your go-to for a round of shots at 3 a.m. in a sketchy dive bar, but this apple spiced rum is definitely flavorful with notes of vanilla and cinnamon. In fact, it would probably pair best in a spiced rum concoction during fall when the temperatures cool and you’re crying about the end of summer. If you’re a rum drinker, it’s worth a sip or seven.

Cafe Valley 7Up Cake Bites

We wanted to hate these, we really did. But we loved them (despite having sugar as their first ingredient). They don’t taste like traditional 7Up, but the lemony goodness in the form of crumb cake and cream cheese is divine. Ugh.

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The Best Subscription Boxes for Beer Lovers

Whether you need to find the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life, or you are the beer lover and want to try new things, look no further than the oh-so-trendy food subscription box craze. Any artisan-loving, craft-beer-glugging, “I-wish-this-IPA-was-hoppier” suds fiend would love a subscription to one of these top beer enthusiast clubs that send out craft brews, unique ingredients, and beer-themed accessories every month.

Whether you—or they—like ale or lager, IPA or porter, sour styles, or all of the above, there’s a beer subscription box for everyone. (Unless, of course, you prefer wine.)

Craft Beer Club, 12 beers per month for $42

Craft Beer Club

Craft Beer Club is arguably the most popular beer subscription box out there—and for good reason. This no-frills club sends out monthly shipments of the most exceptional craft brews in the country, all of which are produced with traditional ingredients and techniques. Many of the brands have limited distribution, meaning a subscription to CBC might be your only shot to taste those specialty brews.Buy Now

The Hop-Heads Beer Club, 12 beers per month for $35, plus shipping

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If hops make you happy, this is the one for you (or whichever hop-head you want to treat). The Hop-Heads Beer Club sends three different hop-centric beers—four of each—every month so you can get your fill. While this is, unsurprisingly, heavy on IPAs of various styles, it also makes room for hoppy pales and red ales. And these aren’t just super-bitter hop-you-over-the-head beers; the club also spotlights “the many hop flavors and aromas available to today’s brewers amidst the ever-expanding supply of new hop varieties,” and includes imports as well as American selections.Buy Now

The U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club, 12 beers per month for $27.95 plus shipping

US Microbrew Club

This club dates back all the way to 1994, and features only the highest quality, award-winning, and rarest brews from around the country. Each month, their team of experts tastes over 500 brews in consideration for that month’s shipment, and only 20 percent of the beers make the cut. This is perfect for the true beer snob in your life.Buy Now

The Rare Beer Club, 2 to 6 beers per month for $37.95 – $72.95 plus shipping

Beer of the Month Club

The Rare Beer Club is the most unique of them all, featuring only two 750ml bottles of beer a month. But don’t be discouraged by the limited choices, because the quality is stellar. You’ll only receive beers crafted using cutting edge techniques, like aging through blending or in bourbon and cedar barrels. Plus, you’ll get super rare brews from around the world, including from up-and-coming brewers in Brazil, Japan, and Scandinavia.Buy Now

First Sip Brew Box, $24.99 – $647.88

First Sip Brew Box

Each box features merchandise like t-shirts and glasses from one amazing craft brewery every month, plus optional extras like beer-infused baked goods and other little extras. With three subscription levels (Brewmaster, Enthusiast, and Connoisseur), this is a great way to immerse yourself in the creative world of craft brewing and appreciate one brand at a time. They even offer a beer-themed box for your pet!Buy Now

Hopsy Beer Club, 4 minikegs per month for $59.96 plus shipping

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This San Fransisco based company originally only delivered to a limited area near their home base, but now ships to California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia, and Chicago, IL. They’re also all about flexibility: they’ll deliver craft beers to your doorstep on a monthly or biweekly basis, in your choice of 32 ounce growlers or mini-kegs compatible with The SUB home draft machine, and you can see what’s scheduled to arrive ahead of time, so you can substitute other beers from the list if they’re more to your liking, and skip a month if you need to. Plus, they boast a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee.Buy Now

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14 Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Father’s Day

Wondering what to make for dad this Father’s Day? Let’s go against type for a moment. Just because he’s a man, that doesn’t mean he’s automatically drawn to steak, beer, and grilling tongs like a fly to the lone lantern on a dark summer night. Red meat and booze are OK for some dads, but others feel better celebrating Father’s Day with foods they won’t feel bad about chowing down on, or at least, less stereotypical. There’s something for a dad who loves Mexican cuisine, vegetarian eating, assorted Asian dishes, desserts, breakfast, Cajun fare, and soul food. This diverse group of Chowhound recipes — all 14 created in a slow cooker like a Crock-Pot — represents a gentler, healthier, more global holiday repertoire. Bonus: They essentially cook themselves, so you and Dad can go do something fun together.

Think Dad would want a slow cooker for Father’s Day? Snag the Instant Pot Duo60 from Amazon Prime (currently on sale for just $60)! Read more about this Instant Pot deal here.

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Related Reading: Slow Cooker Bourbon Ribs for Father’s Day

1. Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers

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This is a supper that totally defies Father’s Day tradition. For your nontraditional dad, vegetarian dad, or simple veggie-focused father, go with this dish. The feta lends a nice salty flavor, and the beans make it heftier. Get our Slow Cooker Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers recipe.

2. Italian-Style Chicken

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For fathers who favor Italian fare, this Crock-Pot version of Chicken Cacciatore will warm his heart and belly. Chicken thighs do better in a Crock-Pot than chicken breasts because they don’t dry out as easily. Make sure to serve it all over creamy polenta. Get our Slow Cooker Italian-Style Chicken.

3. Braised Lemongrass Pork Chops

The Southeast Asian flavor of lemongrass, the fact that this is pork rather than beef, and rice rather than potatoes, make this a more exciting dish to make for a dad who likes Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, and Filipino food. It’s still a hunk of meaty pork, slow-cooked in a savory sauce. That’s gotta be good. Get our Slow Cooker Braised Lemongrass Pork Chops recipe.

4. Steel-Cut Oats

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If you’ve got health-nut Dad, make him a bowl of creamy steel-cut oatmeal to start his big day. The long cooking time makes these oats hard to execute on a weekday morning. Top it with dried fruit, nuts, and/or maple syrup—remember, it’s his day. Get our Slow-Cooker Steel-Cut Oats recipe.

5. Chicken Tacos

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Tacos are the ideal kickback thing to serve Dad on his day. No fuss, forks. Serve this delicious, moist shredded chicken in warmed tortillas, with Tomatillo Guacamole Salsa and other taco accessories. Get our Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe.

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6. Collard Greens

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Greens aren’t something you automatically think to drag out the Crock-Pot for, but on Father’s Day — while you take Dad out to the ballpark — your slow cooker can be doing the important work of making an amazing vegetable side. Get our Slow Cooker Collard Greens recipe.

7. Ranch Beans

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Soak the beans overnight and then put them in the slow cooker with beef broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, ancho chile, garlic, jalapeño, and a ham hock for some rich, smoky flavor Dad will dig. Get our Ranch-Style Pinto Beans recipe.

8. Ramen

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You could spend three days making ramen for Dad, or you could spend 30 minutes, with a nine-hour unsupervised simmer in the Crock-Pot. It’s a win-win: Dad gets something delicious, you get more quality time with Dad. Get Kim Laidlaw’s Slow Cooker Pork Ramen recipe.

9. Veggie Stew

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Squash, chickpeas, Yukon golds, carrots, parsnips, spinach, even raisins, for added sweetness—this is a slow-cooked vegan feast for the kind of yoga-loving Dad who craves nothing more than to share a healthy, compassionate meal with his loved ones. Get our Slow Cooker Root Vegetable Stew recipe.

10. Shrimp Gumbo

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Let your Crock-Pot do most of the heavy lifting. All you have to do is brown some all-purpose flour in the oven, whisk it into a smooth roux with chicken broth, quickly brown the andouille sausage, and combine everything but the shrimp in your slow cooker’s crock for a five-hour simmer. The shrimp is added 30 minutes before the gumbo is done. Get our Slow Cooker Shrimp Gumbo recipe.

11. Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup

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A 4-hour cooking session for the squash, red pepper, carrots, onion, and a bit of cumin and maple syrup yields a nourishing and complex-tasting vegan soup, the perfect centerpiece for a Father’s Day supper with the family. The roasted chickpea garnish adds texture and a nutritional boost. Get our Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup recipe.

12. Chicken Mole

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With an entire can of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, along with ancho chiles and almonds, this mole is nicely spicy without being overbearing. Prep is a breeze: Just blend everything up, put it in the slow cooker with some chicken, and forget about it for 4 to 8 hours. The recipe yields lots of extra sauce, so put some out with tortilla chips before serving it for dinner. Cool. Get our Slow Cooker Chicken Mole recipe.

13. Rice Pudding

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Just stir rice, milk, and sugar together in a slow cooker coated with butter and turn it on high. By the time the dinner dishes are cleared and Dad is craving something sweet, dessert will be ready. Stir in brown sugar, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon, and more milk to bump up the creaminess. Because it’s a special day, first soak the raisins in warm rum for 30 minutes. Get our Slow Cooker Rice Pudding recipe.

14. Peach Crumble

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Mixing the topping with the peaches and simmering gently in the slow cooker, rather than baking, yields something rustic and relaxed, with an almost caramelized complexity. Give Dad a double portion, topped with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Get our Slow Cooker Peach Crumble recipe.

Read More: Honor Dad with Mustache-Shaped Dessert This Father’s Day

Check out more of our Father’s Day-inspired recipes.

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