This Slow Cooker Chicken Breast recipe comes out perfectly juicy and seasoned every time! Learn my tips for getting the best crockpot chicken breast, perfect for salads, sandwiches or an easy dinner.
I KNOW.
Boring, right??
Except, perfect slow cooker chicken breast isn’t boring at all.
This chicken is so flavorful, and so juicy, with just a few ingredients (and one secret ingredient!).
I will admit, I have made plenty of dry, overcooked, unpalatable boneless chicken breasts in the slow cooker. I’m not proud of it, but we all do it every now and then, am I right??
I wanted to come up with a foolproof way to make great crockpot chicken breast — that is big on flavor (but still versatile enough to use it a variety of different ways or add your own sauce at the end), and ridiculously juicy.
Naturally, I started with this Crockpot Shredded Chicken recipe as my base, since so many of you have already loved it (check out this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken if that’s more your style!), but I made a couple swaps and additions for an extra little boost of flavor.
This slow cooker chicken recipe is perfect just on its own, with a side of rice or noodles or a big salad if that’s your thing, but if you’ve got leftovers?
Throw them in this Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti the next day, or swap the ground beef for chicken in this Rigatoni Pasta Bake.
How to make perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Breast:
- Choose good quality chicken. I’m not saying it has to be expensive (I buy my chicken breasts frozen when they’re on sale!), but overtime I’ve noticed that there can be a real difference in quality from one box of chicken breasts to the next. Find a kind you’re happy with it and stick with it.
- Not too full or too empty: I use this 2.5 quart crockpot for, honestly? Almost everything these days. It’s the perfect size for 4 or 6 chicken breasts. I’ve found if I cook just a couple chicken breasts in a larger crockpot, it cooks more quickly and is more prone to overcooking. When you have your slow cooker at least half full, it gives the chicken a little “insulation” and prevents it from cooking too quickly.
- To sear or not to sear. I tried both ways because I like to know what I’m talking about when I’m giving you the most delicious slow cooker chicken breast you’ve ever had. What I found was not a lot of difference between the two. If you want to sear it beforehand, go ahead, if you’re frazzled enough as it is and want to dump and go, do that.
- Butter (my secret ingredient that makes all the difference). Or margarine. Another moment of honesty — I use margarine a lot. I just don’t hate it. Chicken thighs are known to have much better flavor and juiciness than breasts, and it’s because they have 3x the amount of fat. I figured if I added just a little bit of fat into the slow cooker, I could give my chicken breasts some of that some fat love. (SPOILER: it works. It’s delicious, and not even drowning in half a cup).
- Don’t overcook. If you want a longer cook time, try filling your slow cooker more than half full, as this slows down the cooking process some.
Tips for making frozen chicken in the crockpot:
Here’s the truth:
I woke up one morning, the morning I wanted to start testing this slow cooker chicken breast, with my chicken breasts still rock solid in the freezer because I, like many parents of 3 kids 6 and under, had forgotten to take them out.
Rather than cooking frozen chicken in the crockpot, I placed my chicken breasts in a large freezer bag, sealed it tight, and covered them with cool water (think perfectly not cold or not warm), and let them sit about 20 minutes. Flip, and let sit another 20 minutes. Perfectly thawed.
I threw them in the slow cooker and away I went.
It’s not that you can’t cook frozen chicken in the crockpot — it’s just that I knew they would cook more evenly and probably be better if I didn’t.
Now, I’ve cooked frozen chicken breasts plenty of times (remember that I used to work outside of the house and be gone for 8+ hours a day), and they’ve been just fine.
They will release more moisture and cook a little less evenly, but the world will (probably) not end.
Variations on this Slow Cooker Chicken Breast:
- Toss in a package of taco seasoning for slow cooker chicken tacos!
- Brush with barbecue sauce once they’re done cooking, before serving.
- Brush with pretty much any of your favorite sauces, and there you go — the easiest dinner you never had to babysit!
- Jazz things up and try this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken!
More crockpot chicken breast recipes:
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe
- Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
- Crockpot Orange Chicken
- Crockpot Chicken Wings
Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the salt, parsley, garlic, pepper, onion powder and paprika. Season both sides of the chicken.
- Add chicken broth and butter to slow cooker, and stir to combine (mash the butter up a bit to disperse if you can).
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker, overlapping only as much as necessary.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.
- If you’re hoping for clean slices, remove to a cutting board and cover to keep warm. Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Information
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Shannon says
Hi I just made this but also just realized after that my crockpot is 6 qt. Do you think I should adjust time or add anything? Will 3 hours on low be ok? Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Shannon! That’s totally fine. It’s hard to say if the cook time needs to be adjusted — I would check the internal temperature at 3 hours and go from there.
Jenni M says
Thank you for posting this. I have a casserole crock pot, and every recipe I pull up says 6-7 hrs on low. It never works for me. The 3 hr mark seems to be perfect. I can do cutlets in 2.5 and they come out great too!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad! I love mine!
Candice Van Asdale says
Yummy! My teenage boys and I love this recipe. I’m about to make it again now so it’s ready when they get home from school 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that!
Samantha says
Really hoping not to overcook these ! I put 4 chicken breasts in and they fit just perfectly – touching but overlapping – will three hours on low be okay?
Ashley Fehr says
It should be fine!
Sabrina says
I have a slow cooker but have never used it before because I never thought food would cook good in it…But I am going to be bold and use it for this recipe, and will let you know my results..lol
Ashley Fehr says
I’d love to hear what you think!
Fred says
Use your crock pot, i will cook perfectly anything you put in it.
Pot roast is my favorite…called Mississippi Pot Roast. Google the recipe you and your family will love it!!
Mel says
Hi! Could I add potatoes & carrots with the chicken? Or best to cook separately?
Ali says
Do chicken breasts really cook safely and thoroughly on low in slow cooker/crock pot? I’ve never cooked them whole in mine Thank you.
Ashley Fehr says
Abosolutely!
Ang says
If I just want two boneless chicken, how long should I cook it?
Ashley Fehr says
It may cook a little faster, but not much. I would check at the 2 hour mark.
Alisa says
Hi Ashley! I tried this recipe in a 2 qt crockpot( Due to I don’t have a 2.5 qt crock pot )with 2 boneless chicken breasts..It was amazing!! I didn’t want to do 3 boneless chicken breasts due to they would be overlapping and I wanted them to cook thoroughly. Thank for this recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for sharing! Some overlap should be fine! They may just cook a little longer.
A. Nonny Mouse says
Surely you meant 3 hours on HIGH???
Ashley Fehr says
I most certainly do not.
Amy H says
Chciken doesn’t take very long in the crock pot.
Sandy says
Just made this today. Used the smaller crock pot like you suggested and it is delicious, juicy and tender. Sending to all my family! Thank you
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad! Thanks for your review!
Sam Bishop says
Loved this recipe, thank you so much. I have also improvised and added ground chilli. It was 👌.
Ashley Fehr says
I love that addition!
DannyH says
That is a good recipe for cooked chicken that would be used in casseroles, salads and more. Great alternative to boring boiled chicken.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Danny!
Raymond says
The chicken breasts was dry and tasteless. I followed the recipe but I must have done something wrong. 😞
Ashley Fehr says
I would be careful not to overcook — if your slow cooker runs hot it may need less time.
barry buns says
The only way you could ever make this dry is if you black out and skipped an entire days worth of time
Julie says
Can you use olive oil instead of butter?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes definitely
LynnP says
This recipe is very good! I actually increase the chicken broth to 1 cup and butter to 3 TBSP., very juicy when done and easy to do.
The Recipe Rebel says
So glad to hear, thank you LynnP!
Lisa says
What 2.5 quart crockpot do you have? I see quite a few that are 2 quart, but not many that are 2.5. Thanks!
The Recipe Rebel says
We have the crockpot model. Here is a link for all of my favorite appliances so you can see where to buy it: https://www.thereciperebel.com/small-kitchen-appliances/ Hope this helps!
Renee says
Apologies, I see the answer (cook on low)! 😊
Renee says
What is the slow cooker temperature while cooking for 3 hrs. (low, medium, or high)? Thanks!
Jenna waldner says
She says cook in “low” for 3 hours
Lois says
I want to try the recipe for the chicken but I would like to know if you can give an
approximate weight is for the 4 chicken pieces.
Thank you,
Lois
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Lois, it really doesn’t matter the weight but my guess is about 3 pounds.