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This comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Breast recipe is tender, healthy, and as simple as could be. Made with a flavorful blend of herbs and spices, it’s guaranteed to turn out perfectly juicy and delicious each and every time.
The other day, after Ana’s soccer practice, we were chatting over dinner about our favorite meals. Ana couldn’t stop raving about our slow cooker chicken breast recipes, especially because she gets to make her favorite chicken carnitas tacos. Meanwhile, Aleksandra is absolutely obsessed with my mango chicken salad – she just can’t get enough of those juicy mangoes.
What I’m trying to say is that I am so grateful for chicken because it is so versatile, especially this super easy crockpot chicken recipe. It can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from chicken enchiladas to this walnut chicken salad or our fantastic chicken broccoli casserole. Having cooked chicken breasts on hand is excellent for meal prepping, as it saves time and money by simplifying meal preparation.
Why I Love Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipes
- Easy. All you do is place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, set the time, and let it do its magic. It’s almost completely hands-off, making it perfect for busy days.
- Flavorful. This slow cooking method ensures that the chicken breasts come out juicy and tasty.
- Versatile. Crockpot chicken is extremely adaptable. It’s perfect for shredding and freezing, and you can use it in various dishes, whether adding it to sandwiches, soups, tacos, or pasta.
- Nutritious: Chicken breast is known for being a great source of protein. Cooking it in a slow cooker helps retain its nutrients, making it a healthy option for any meal.
- Meal Prep Friendly. This chicken recipe is a dream for getting ahead. Cook a batch and you have a ready-to-use protein for different meals throughout the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this crockpot chicken breast recipe, you’ll only need a handful of simple ingredients, most of which are spices and seasonings.
- Chicken Broth: Low sodium chicken broth is my go-to, but you can also use regular chicken broth, bone broth, veggie broth, or even just water!
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless breasts are what I use in this recipe.
- Olive Oil: Any mild oil works in this recipe.
- Herbs and Spices: Sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, and dried oregano.
- Salt and Pepper
- Garnish: Fresh chopped parsley makes a great garnish, if you are serving the chicken right away.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
Have you ever heard of a “dump and go” recipe? Well, this is definitely in that category! All you have to do is put your ingredients in, and let the crockpot do the rest.
- Prepare the Crockpot and the Chicken Breasts. Pour the broth into the insert of your slow cooker. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and rub them with olive oil.
- Season the Chicken. Mix salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and oregano in a small bowl. Rub this seasoning mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Cook. Place the chicken in the slow cooker, cover with the lid, and let it cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temperature of the chicken registers at 165˚F.
- Rest and Serve. Take the chicken out of the slow cooker and set it on a clean cutting board. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 8 minutes before cutting and serving.
Recipe Tips
- Browning. If you’d like a bit of browning on the chicken, put it under the broiler for about 3 to 4 minutes after it’s done cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer. This kitchen tool is super-handy when cooking meat. It will help ensure that your chicken is safely done without overcooking. Chicken is cooked through when its internal temperature registers at 165˚F.
- Brine with salt. Try sprinkling your chicken with salt 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. This is a type of dry brining – the salting process helps the meat turn out extra flavorful. If you decide to brine it, reduce the amount of salt used in the seasoning mix.
- Using frozen chicken breasts. Technically, yes, you can use frozen chicken in the slow cooker; however, frozen chicken is not recommended by some slow cooker manufacturers, so I recommend using thawed chicken breasts here. Or, check your slow cooker’s manual for safe handling.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken pairs perfectly with just about anything, but I love it with my favorite Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes or with these Roasted Potatoes and Carrots. You could also add a healthy kick to your meal with my Perfect Grilled Zucchini, or wrap it up in a Naan and top it off with a Green Goddess Salad.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Store cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
- To reheat, put it in the microwave or a 350˚F oven until it is heated through. You can also reheat on the stovetop in a covered skillet. Whichever method you choose, be sure not to overcook it, or it will be dry.
Easy Chicken Recipes
- Oven Fried Chicken Breasts
- Balsamic Marinated Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Roast Chicken
- Hot Honey Chicken
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Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth, or you can also use water
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Pour water or chicken broth inside the insert of your slow cooker.
- Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels.
- Rub the chicken with olive oil and set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl combine the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and oregano; mix until thoroughly incorporated.
- Rub the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture.
- Transfer the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or until internal temperature of the chicken registers at 165˚F. Use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer to check for doneness.
- Remove chicken breasts from the slow cooker and let the chicken rest for about 5 to 8 minutes before cutting and serving.
- If you’d like a bit of browning on the cooked chicken, put it under the broiler for about 3 to 4 minutes after you cooked it in the slow cooker.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
This recipe was good, the flavour was good. But my crock pot is bigger than what you have. So I only cooked mine for 2 hours and they turned out kind of dry. I also found the seasoning to be too black peppery, so maybe less black pepper next time I make it, and I’ll cook it for less time as well. Over well everyone in the family liked it, and no complaints even from my black pepper hating boyfriend. Thank you very much for the recipe.
Hi. I want to use this chicken in a chicken Alfredo. If I cook the chicken a day before making the Alfredo, does the chicken have to be warmed up, or can I just add it to the Alfredo and noodles in the pan?
Hi!
I would suggest warming up the chicken before adding it to the Alfredo sauce and noodles. Warming the chicken helps to restore its texture and enhances the overall flavor of your dish. You can quickly warm the chicken by sautéing it in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes until it’s heated through.
Thanks. I have to say that I made the chicken tonight and there aren’t enough stars to show you how wonderful the flavor is! Thanks for the feedback and for the recipe!
I’m thrilled to hear the chicken turned out wonderfully and that you enjoyed the flavor so much! It’s always great to receive such positive feedback. You’re very welcome for the feedback and the recipe. Here’s to many more delicious meals! Thank you! 🙂
Katerina,
What size slow cooker did you use for this recipe? I’ve read that you need to fill the cooker at least 1/2 full for successful recipes. Mine is a 6 quart.
Hi!
I used a 6-quart slow cooker, and this recipe works perfectly.
Amazing recipe! I made it with the 4 breasts, and it turned out great! Do you think it would be possible with 8 breasts, cut into strips? Would it mess anything up if there would be another layer of chicken in the slow cooker?
Thank you!
Yay! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Yes, you can make this recipe with more chicken breasts cut into strips. Keep in mind that the cooking time might need to be adjusted slightly. Keep an eye on it and check for doneness with a thermometer, if possible.
Ok great, I thought it always has to be in a single layer. Thank you for the reply!
I make this on Sundays for weekly meal prep. Only difference, I cook it on high 3-4 hours. I shred it and store it for easy chicken tacos, on top of salads, you name it. So simple and tasty!
We really enjoyed this recipe. My Son-in-law, who thinks we eat too much chicken, even said it was good. That’s fairly high praise from him about chicken! 😊
😀 I’m very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I have been looking at new recipes for my slow cooker. I can never find a recipe that doesn’t make the chicken so dry. Plus my two boys are picky eaters. I tried this and absolutely loved the chicken. It was soooo juicy and the spices with the chicken were perfecto. I making this for dinner again tomorrow.
That’s wonderful! I’m very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank you for chiming in! 🙂