Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts are the dream for busy weeknights, transforming simple chicken into a tender, flavorful base for endless meals. This fuss-free recipe is incredibly versatile, making it a culinary superhero in your kitchen.
Key Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
This recipe is a celebration of effortless cooking, delivering incredibly tender chicken breasts bursting with savory flavor. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, you’ll have a delicious, satisfying meal ready with minimal fuss. The slow cooking process ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfect for shredding or slicing. Preparation time is a mere 5 minutes, making it ideal for any schedule.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure even browning if you choose to sear them beforehand, though it’s not strictly necessary for this slow cooker method.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Evenly sprinkle this spice mixture over all sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Try to arrange them in a single layer if possible, ensuring they aren’t too crowded.
- Add Liquid: Pour the chicken broth and olive oil around and over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. The liquid will help to keep the chicken moist and tender during the cooking process.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and the specific wattage of your slow cooker. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Shred/Slice: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Let them rest on a cutting board for about 5-10 minutes before shredding with two forks or slicing into desired pieces. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more succulent chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
You’ll adore this Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts recipe for its incredible tenderness, a hallmark of slow-cooked poultry that transforms even lean breasts into a succulent delight without drying them out. Furthermore, mastering this simple dish is a fantastic way to save money compared to pre-cooked or restaurant options, putting delicious, versatile chicken at your fingertips for pennies on the dollar. The expertly blended seasonings create a foundational flavor that’s delicious on its own, or a perfect canvas for your favorite sauces, herbs, and spices, reminiscent of a perfectly roasted chicken but with none of the fuss.
This recipe is your secret weapon for stress-free meals, whether you’re craving a simple shredded chicken for tacos, a tender base for pasta, or even a healthy protein addition to salads. It’s so straightforward, even beginner cooks will be whipping up batches with confidence. So ditch the weeknight dinner dilemma and give this wonderfully easy Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts a try – your taste buds and your wallet will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Allow the cooked Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts to cool completely before storing. Place the chicken in an airtight container, or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Properly stored in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken. Once cooled, place it in freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Frozen chicken will maintain its best quality for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat from the refrigerator, you can gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat, covered, adding a splash of broth or water if needed, or microwave it in 30-second intervals until heated through. If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to maintain optimal texture. You can also add frozen chicken directly to soups, stews, or casseroles where it will cook further.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients and patient cooking can yield incredibly delicious results. It’s an absolute game-changer for busy households, providing a foundation for countless meals with minimal effort but maximum flavor. Give it a go, and discover your new weeknight go-to!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure even browning if you choose to sear them beforehand, though it’s not strictly necessary for this slow cooker method.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Evenly sprinkle this spice mixture over all sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated.1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Try to arrange them in a single layer if possible, ensuring they aren’t too crowded.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Pour the chicken broth and olive oil around and over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. The liquid will help to keep the chicken moist and tender during the cooking process.1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and the specific wattage of your slow cooker. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Let them rest on a cutting board for about 5-10 minutes before shredding with two forks or slicing into desired pieces. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more succulent chicken.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts