Learn how to use your slow cooker to make Crockpot Chicken Breasts for easy weeknight dinners. This slow cooker chicken breast recipe is easy and perfect as a base for a meal or for meal prepping!
Why We Love This Crockpot Chicken
We make this seasoned slow cooker chicken breast about once a week. We are known for simple recipes like this, and this is a family favorite. The chicken can be meal prepped for the week in one simple recipe, and used for all different recipes that the family will love.
- Easy. Just toss in a handful of ingredients, set the cooker, and it’ll come out deliciously juicy!
- Tasty. I used a mix of onion and garlic powder, dried thyme, paprika, and salt and pepper for a simple flavor that works for everyday meals.
- Versatile. This crockpot chicken makes a great base for a ton of different lunches, dinners or for weekly meal prep.
Variations on Slow Cooker Chicken
While this Crockpot recipe works best with boneless chicken breasts, you can use the same ingredients and instructions to make boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
While you can also cook bone-in and/or skin-on chicken breast and thighs, the cooking times may change. Make sure to check the internal temperature of any chicken you cook, and be sure it reads 165°F before consuming.
You can easily switch out all of the herbs and spices to create any flavor you like. Try ranch seasoning or taco seasoning if you want a quick flavor swap for your chicken.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Crockpot chicken in an airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat in a pan set over medium-low heat, or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
After removing the chicken breasts from the Crockpot, let them cool. Store them in freezer-safe, resealable bags or containers, and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can wrap pieces in foil or plastic wrap if you want extra protection from freezer burn. Let chicken defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating and eating.
Serving Suggestions
The best thing about this slow cooker chicken recipe is how versatile it is! It makes a healthy and tasty main dish for any dinner or lunch, and pairs well with all kinds of side dishes. Serve it with mashed potatoes, creamed green beans, cucumber salad, and Hawaiian rolls.
You can also use leftovers to make pulled chicken sandwiches, chicken noodle soup, or chicken fajitas. The possibilities are endless with this amazing chicken breast recipe!
Unfortunately, it’s not best to cook frozen chicken breast in a slow cooker. The temperature of the crock pot doesn’t get high enough fast enough for the bacteria to be killed. It’s best to only use freshly thawed chicken or thaw them in the microwave before adding them to the crockpot.
Crockpot chicken cook time will depend on the setting you want your crock pot on. If you are like me, you like to add everything to the crockpot in the morning and let your crockpot cook on low. In this case, it will need to cook for 4 to 6 hours. If you want to wait till later in the day to get your crockpot chicken breasts cooking, you can cook on high for 2 to 4 hours.
You can add/remove ingredients as you see fit but I use salt, onion powder, dried thyme, paprika, pepper and garlic powder. Feel free to adjust the spices to your personal preferences.
More Ways to Cook Chicken
If the crockpot isn’t your thing, these other simple ways to prepare chicken in bulk are sure to please (and make life easy!).
- Seasoned Chicken Breast
- Pan Seared Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Oven Baked Chicken
5-Star Review
“So juicy! My new favorite way of cooking chicken!” – Nikki
Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Pour the chicken broth in the slow cooker.½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Combine the seasoning in a small dish.1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Rub the olive oil and seasoning over the chicken breasts.2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Change the herbs, spices, and seasonings as you please. Just rub them on and let the chicken cook!
Nutrition Information
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Breasts Step by Step
Season the Chicken: Pour the ½ cup of low-sodium chicken broth into your slow cooker. Combine 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of dried thyme, ½ teaspoon of ground paprika, ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder in a small dish. Rub 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the seasonings over 4 large chicken breasts, and place them into the slow cooker.
Cook the Chicken: Cook the chicken breasts on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, until they reach 165°F internally.
Slice and Serve: This is where the fun comes in. Slice and seal for the week, using this deliciously juicy chicken for salads, tacos, casseroles, sandwiches, and more. The sky is the limit as to how this simple and deliciously seasoned crockpot chicken can be used throughout the week.
I want to make this recipe but during the week when I leave for work I’m gone about 8 hours or more. Is it possible to put this recipe together and set it for 8 hours or do you think it would dry pit the chicken
Hi Leesa, we’ve never tried letting the chicken go for that long but suspect it would probably turn out dry!
Just get yourself a smart plug or timer plug!
I love this recipe and make it every Sunday and turn it into chicken salad for the week. I add Mayo and celery, all the other flavors make this excellent. I’ve been providing samples to coworkers. They love it too!
We’re so happy to hear this recipe is a hit, Michelle!
Can I use think chicken breasts? and can i put in 8 chicken breasts?
Hi John, we don’t recommend using thin-cut chicken breasts, as they will overcook in the crockpot! The total number of chicken breasts you can fit depends on the size of your crockpot, but we don’t recommend stacking them, as this can cause them to cook unevenly.
I used the crockpot. Chicken was delicious. Maybe next time I would double the seasoning blend.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Annette!
Worst outcome ever. This chicken was so dry I was embarrassed to serve it.
Oh no! We’re so sorry to hear you didn’t have success with this recipe! Unfortunately, all crockpots are a little different, so you may have to adjust the cook time to better suit your equipment. I’d recommend checking the temp earlier next time!
Your Crock-Pot could be broken, I had one that would constantly boil off all liquid. I reached out to crock pot and they said it sounded like it’s heating element is broken
Tender juicy chicken every single time!!
I now cook up some chicken using this recipe every week or so and serve it up proudly. I can also make a few chicken recipes with the meat. Most excellent Thank You!
We’re so happy to hear you love this recipe, Melissa!
This recipe was such a winner for my family. My kids both loved it even my one son who usually doesn’t love chicken! Thank you!
We’re so happy to hear this recipe was a hit, Blair!
If I add rice to this will it change the cooking time? I’m fairly new to crock pot cooking.
If you add rice, be sure to add a bit more broth. I recommend high for 3-4 hours!
I love that you list the ingredients and quantities in your instructions. It’s really helpful not to have to scroll back up every minute.
Super easy to make and delicious.