Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

We’re keeping this crock pot chicken breast recipe super simple with a handful of simple ingredients.

You’ll find the full amounts further down the page.

• Seasonings: We use a combination of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, paprika and thyme.
• Chicken. You’ll need several large boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
• Broth: Use chicken or vegetable broth. Chicken stock works well, too! Make use to grab low-sodium broth if you’re salt sensitive.
• Butter: We like unsalted butter for this recipe.

Instructions

Our slow cooker chicken breasts recipe is a great way to get a head start on dinner or weekly meal prep. We love to use the cooked chicken in several of our favorite recipes.

Scroll to the recipe card below for the full instructions and ingredient amounts. 

1. Combine the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle liberally over both sides of the chicken breasts.
2. Whisk together the chicken broth and butter, and pour the mixture into the slow cooker.

3. Place your chicken breasts into the slow cooker in an even layer. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. The chicken is done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on an instant read thermometer, and it shreds easily.
4. Let the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Substitutions and Variations

• Chicken: Use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. 
• Flavor: The seasonings you use are completely customizable. For some flavor variation try taco seasoning, Greek seasoning, blackened seasoning, Italian seasoning, or fajita seasoning.
• Liquid: Use water in place of chicken broth if desired. Water may change the flavor slightly. 
• Marinade: Try a marinade, sauce, or dressing like BBQ sauce, soy sauce, coconut milk, salsa, or Italian dressing.
• Salt: For a lower sodium dish, use low sodium chicken broth and unsalted butter. Reducing or omitting the salt also helps.

Equipment

We used a 7-quart slow cooker for this crock pot chicken recipe. That size slow cooker has enough room for 4 good sized chicken breasts without any overlapping. 

Some overlap is fine, but I definitely would fill it up with chicken. 

Storage

Refrigerator: Store these slow cooker chicken breasts shredded, sliced, cubed, or whole in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in the fridge for 3-4 days. Perfect for meal prepping.

Freezing: This chicken also freezes well. Place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. 

Thawing: When ready, let the chicken thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm it up on the stove or in the microwave or use it cold for recipes like cranberry chicken salad.

Reheating: Simply reheat the chicken in the microwave or on the stove until heated through. If frozen, make sure the chicken has completely thawed before heating.

Tips

• Don’t overcook the it; otherwise, you’ll have dry and tough chicken instead of tender chicken. If you need to cook the chicken longer than the recipe states, add a little more to the slow cooker to lengthen the cooking time.
• Do cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s cooked all the way through.
• If you’re worried that the chicken may be dry, add a little extra butter!
• Every slow cooker cooks a little differently. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Breast meat dries out quickly if it’s sliced immediately after cooking. Make sure to let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Ways to Use Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts

There are so many great ways to incorporate slow cooker chicken breasts into your recipes. The possibilities are endless.

• Dice it up for tater tot chicken casserole.
• Shred some chicken, chill, and use in a chicken salad.
• Add cooked chicken to the filling for chicken pot pie.
• Slice some chicken breasts and use them as a topping on a chicken avocado salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, it’s ok to double. Just keep in mind that the chicken breasts may stick together as the cook, and it will likely take longer to cook.

The key is not to overfill the crock pot. You don’t want it too full.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great. Or use a mixture of dark meat and white meat chicken. Just ensure that the chicken cooks to 165°F when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part.

Can I cook frozen chicken chicken breasts in the crock pot?

No, unfortunately not. According to the USDA information on slow cookers and food safety it’s not recommended to cook frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Their temperature may not rise fast enough to keep harmful bacteria from growing.

How long should I cook chicken breasts in a the slow cooker?

The cook time varies by slow cooker, but we recommend cooking on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.

Other Flavorful Chicken Recipes You’ll Love