Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
Make tender, juicy chicken breasts in the slow cooker with a few simple seasonings and olive oil. An easy recipe for meal prep during the week.
Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
I've been making these slow cooker chicken breasts for years as part of my weekend meal prep. A few chicken breasts, some pantry seasonings, olive oil, and a little time in the slow cooker give me an easy protein I can use throughout the week.
I use it to make quick chicken salads and wraps for lunch, add it to casseroles and soups when I need an easy meal, and even grab a few pieces for a quick protein-packed snack when I'm hungry between meals. It's a simple recipe that may not seem exciting at first, but having cooked chicken ready in the refrigerator can make busy days so much easier.
Now that my daughter is in college and learning to meal prep for herself, she wanted an easy recipe she could save and make without much fuss. So this one is for her - and for anyone else who wants a simple way to keep cooked chicken ready to go.
Ingredients You Need
- Chicken breasts, although you can use chicken thighs or a combination of both.
- Olive oil helps keep the chicken moist and tender while it slow cooks.
- Pantry seasonings include salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and celery salt.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
- Add chicken breasts to your large slow cooker.
- Drizzle both sides with olive oil.
- Season with your favorite seasonings.
- Cook on low or medium for 4-6 hours until tender.
Customize The Seasonings
You can easily adjust the seasonings based on how you plan to use the chicken. Since this is a meal-prep recipe, I like keeping the flavor fairly versatile so the chicken works in everything from salads to soups.
Shred It, Slice It, or Dice It
Once the chicken is cooked, you can prepare it in whatever way works best for your meal. I like to shred some and place it in the freezer for a future meal. Otherwise, you can slice it for sandwiches or dice it up for soups or to add to salads. Having all three options makes this simple slow cooker chicken incredibly versatile throughout the week.
Ang's Helpful Tips
- Use fresh, thawed chicken breasts for the best results. I do not recommend using frozen chicken breasts to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Let the chicken rest before cutting. A 5-minute rest makes it easier to slice or shred without immediately losing all of the juices.
- Cook on low or medium. This is probably the most important tip. Chicken breasts are lean, so cooking them at a higher temperature in the slow cooker can make them dry.
More Ways To Use Cooked Chicken Breasts
There are endless ways to use pre-cooked chicken. We love to make Quesadillas, chicken tacos, use in bowls, and just plain snacking. I will often times grab a scoop of chicken to enjoy with cheese and crackers for a quick, mid-afternoon snack at work.
Easy Meal Prep Recipes
- Mini Italian Egg Bites
- Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Thai Chicken Rice Bowls
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
- Healthy Egg McMuffin
- Frozen Yogurt Fruit Bark
- Viral Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
Equipment
- 6 qt or larger slow cooker
Ingredients
- 4 medium, boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- onion powder
- paprika
- celery salt
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker and drizzle both sides with olive oil. Season chicken with suggested seasonings or use your own combinations.
- Cook chicken on low or medium for 4-5 hours, until tender and cooked through.
- Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5-minutes before cutting or shredding.
Notes
Nutrition
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