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
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel —
I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Sarah says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was great. My picky 10 year old even loved it. I will definitely make it again. Tha k you for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that!
Irene says
I only have one large breast but small crockpot doi still cook for 3 hours
Ashley Fehr says
It may be done a little sooner, I would check at 2-2.5 hours but leave it longer if it needs it.
Carrie Muller says
3 hrs on Low doesn’t seem right, but after all these comments i guess its right! lol trying this tonight.
Ashley Fehr says
It will depend a bit on your slow cooker, but yes, we don’t want to overcook it!
Mel says
Thank you for this. This was my first slow cooker recipe ever to try and it came out perfect. I subbed out the parsley for oregano and left out onion powder but it was still a hit. 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Mel!
Rene says
I’m going to make this tomorrow – but I only have an 8 qt crockpot. I was thinking about doubling the recipe? We like chicken so it will be gone in days.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, I think doubling it will be perfect and the cook time will be about the same, depending on how hot your slow cooker cooks.
Hanna says
Turned out perfectly – added Italian Seasoning and a little extra paprika. Thank you for a new go-to!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Hanna! I’m glad!
Eric Stephens says
Hi can I use Chicken stock instead of chicken broth?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes definitely!
Jennifer Jones says
I don’t have broth or stock. Is there anything else I could use to replace it?
Ashley Fehr says
If you have bouillon, I would add that to water to add flavor. You can use water or another clear cooking liquid, they will all just affect the flavor a little differently. You could even do a couple spoon fulls of barbecue sauce with water to add flavor
Michelle says
I made this with 6 breasts and used the amount of ingredients you said for your rub for each of them on both sides because one breast took up all the seasoning. So I made it six times! Put in one can of chicken broth and the butter and cooked about 3 1/2 hours on low. The meat was so tender and juicy and so flavorful. Loved it.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that! I think you must season very liberally. It doesn’t need to be coated, as there is lots of flavor in the cooking liquid to supplement the herbs.
Sherri says
Wow, first time to make this…..and now Ive made it twice this week! LOVVVVVVVE IT..
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you so much Sherri!
Jac says
Would this be okay to do with two chicken breasts (since that’s what I have in the house right now)? Would I just cut the ingredients in half and cook it for less time?
Ashley Fehr says
You may not need that much less time, but yes I would cut the ingredients in half!
Ashley says
I just made this chicken and it was amazing! I did double the seasoning (minus the onion powder) since I used water instead of broth. Afterwards I sliced the chicken and made a homemade gravy out of the left over juices. It was a hit with the family!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that!
Cindy JACOBSON says
I want to make for a big group of people. How many breast can I put in a large Crockpot at once and still take around 3 hours. I want to make about 20 breasts. Is 2 crockpots enough to use or better to use 3?
Ashley Fehr says
It really depends on how large and wide your crockpots are. A thicker layer of chicken will take longer, and a fuller crockpot will take longer, so it’s difficult to know exactly, but I would probably use 2 or 3 and prepare for 3-5 hours. A little longer won’t hurt since you are cooking so many at once
Jill says
Can I put the chicken breasts in frozen or is your cook time based on thawed?
Ashley Fehr says
It is based on thawed, but you can see some tips for frozen chicken in my post above
Stephanie says
I’ve used this chicken breast recipe about 4 times now. It’s my go to recipe if I need already cooked chicken for a recipe. It’s so good by itself also! I’ve used it in soups and today I’m using it for my chicken pot pie!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Stephanie! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it!
Hannah smith says
Making this for supper tonight, just placed everything in the crockpot. I added potatoes to mine, will it dry the chicken out if I cook longer than 3 hours? I figure it will take the potatoes longer to get soft.
Ashley Fehr says
I prefer not to leave my chicken breasts longer than that, but it just depends how much longer and how long it will take to cook your potatoes. If you want, you can always remove the chicken, then put it back in at the end just to warm it up.
Voni says
Could I put a whole bag of frozen/thawed chicken and cook according to this recipe? (Doubling the other ingredients; I think there are eight in the bag I purchased)
Also, what if I have thighs for sale reasons? Cook them the same way?
My goal is to cook the chicken, eat some and put the rest of the cooked chicken in meal-sized freezer bags to add to soup or fettuccine Alfredo or whatever in the next few weeks.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes you definitely can! Each slow cooker is a little different, so some may take longer than others, and the fuller it is, the longer it takes to cook through. If you double the recipe and use a larger slow cooker, the cook time will probably be close to the same. If you double the recipe and use a small crockpot, you’ll likely need to increase the cook time.
Lovie Ball says
For variations you suggest using taco seasoning. Is this in place of listed seasonings, or added to recipe?
Ashley Fehr says
You could swap it out for the seasonings, or reduce the seasoning and add it in addition.
Lauren says
I can not wait to try this! I meal prep like crazy and sometimes just want some yummy, fresh chicken. But can I ask for the nutritional facts… How much are you calculating the servings out to be? I typically measure my food out in ounces.
Ashley Fehr says
The serving is one chicken breast. My average chicken breasts are 5-7 ounces.
Stacey Sheppars says
Made it for dinner this evening. Had to improvise a lil as I didnt have exactly all ingriedents. I used Garlic Salt instead of Powder and used Onion Soup Mix instead of onion powder. Cooked for 4hrs instead of 3. Turned out a lil darker but still juicy and still amazing. Will be doing this again and maybe just a lil more Chicken Broth. 1/2 cup instead 1/4 cup. Thank you for this amazing reciepe.
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Stacey!
Deb M says
What would I have to change to use thin sliced breasts instead of full size breasts?
Ashley Fehr says
They will cook quicker, so you will want to reduce the cook time and maybe check an hour earlier.
Kim says
If I was to cook just 2 chicken breasts in a large slow cooker and half the cooking time would they still cook nice? Or is it best to cook at least 4 as your recipe above? Thanks
Ashley Fehr says
You shouldn’t beed to reduce the cook time by much! Maybe check half an hour sooner.