Description
Tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked to perfection in the slow cooker. This foolproof method produces moist, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for meal prep and can be used in salads, tacos, sandwiches, pasta, and countless other dishes throughout the week.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
¾ cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
2 tablespoons butter (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning, then rub this mixture generously all over both sides of each chicken breast.
2. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of your slow cooker. If using butter, cut it into small pieces and scatter them over the bottom.
3. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the slow cooker in a single layer if possible, or slightly overlapping if needed. Try to keep them flat rather than stacking them.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The exact time depends on the thickness of your chicken breasts.
5. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the largest breast. It should read 165°F for perfectly cooked chicken.
6. Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker with tongs and let them rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing or shredding.
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – this is the only way to ensure perfectly cooked chicken.
Don’t overcook – once chicken reaches 165°F it’s done, and every minute beyond that makes it drier.
Pound thick breasts to even thickness for more even cooking.
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Save the cooking liquid to use as stock for soups, cooking grains, or making gravy.
Frozen chicken breasts can be cooked directly – just add 1-2 hours to cooking time.
Don’t lift the lid during cooking – each peek adds 15-20 minutes to cooking time.
Season generously since chicken breasts are mild and need good seasoning.
Store cooked chicken with a few tablespoons of cooking liquid to keep it moist.
Refrigerate cooked chicken for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Shred or slice before storing for easier meal prep throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American