Howdy, folks! Welcome to my kitchen, where the magic of slow cooking transforms ordinary chicken breast into tender, juicy goodness! Today, I’m spilling all the beans on how to whip up the perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts. So buckle up and let’s get cookin’!
How to make the best slow cooker chicken breasts
Alright, y’all, gather ’round! Here’s the lowdown on making the juiciest chicken in your slow cooker. First things first, grab some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Slap ’em into the crockpot and sprinkle some salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings. You can get wild with it and add some garlic powder, paprika, or even a dash of hot sauce! Whatever tickles your taste buds, really.
Next, pour in a cup of chicken broth. We want our bird to be swimming in flavor! Then, set your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for about 4-6 hours. You can practically set it and forget it!
What to Serve
Alright, folks, so you’ve got that scrumptious slow cooker chicken breast all shredded up and ready to roll. Now, what the heck are you gonna serve it with? Don’t you worry, I gotcha covered!
You can slap that shredded chicken onto some soft buns and make yourself some delightful pulled chicken sliders. Top ’em off with coleslaw and pickles for an epic flavor explosion! If you’re feelin’ all Tex-Mex, whip up some chicken tacos with avocado, salsa, and a squeeze of lime. Ole!
For the health-conscious foodies, toss that chicken on a bed of fresh greens with your favorite dressing for a tantalizing salad. Or better yet, mix it up with some creamy alfredo sauce and pour it over a steaming plate of pasta. Mama mia!
Tips for making frozen chicken in the crockpot
Alright, here’s the deal: we all forget to defrost our chicken sometimes. Don’t fret, it happens to the best of us! You can still slow cook that frozen bird, but there are a couple of tricks to keep in mind.
First off, make sure you’ve got a good amount of liquid in the pot. Frozen chicken tends to release some water as it cooks, and we don’t want our dinner to turn into a dry mess. So, pour in a bit more chicken broth or even some diced tomatoes with their juice to keep things nice and moist.
Also, give your slow cooker a bit more time to work its magic. Add an extra hour or two to the cooking time to ensure that the chicken cooks thoroughly and reaches a safe temperature. Safety first, y’all!
Freezing & storing
Alright, let’s talk leftovers. Sometimes, we cook up a big ol’ batch of slow cooker chicken, and we end up with more than we can handle. But fear not! You can freeze that cooked chicken and have it at your beck and call for future meals.
Simply let the chicken cool down, divide it into smaller portions, and pop ’em into freezer-safe bags or containers. Label ’em with the date and the type of chicken (just in case you end up with a chicken collection in the future, you know). When you’re ready to chow down, thaw it in the fridge overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Easy peasy!
Delicious ways to use
Now, let’s get creative with our slow cooker chicken! There are endless scrumptious dishes you can whip up using this magical meat. Let me share a few of my personal favorites with y’all.
- Chicken Enchiladas: Roll up that shredded chicken in corn tortillas, smother ’em in enchilada sauce, sprinkle some cheese on top, and bake ’em until gooey perfection!
- Chicken and Rice Casserole: Mix that chicken with cooked rice, veggies, and a creamy sauce. Pop it in the oven until it’s all bubbly and golden. Comfort food at its finest!
- Chicken Alfredo Pizza: Spread some alfredo sauce on a pizza crust, top it with slow cooker chicken, mushrooms, and lots of cheese. Bake it until it’s crispy and bubbling. Mamma mia, it’s heavenly!
- Chicken Salad Sandwich: Mix that chicken with mayo, diced celery, and some herbs. Slap it between two slices of bread with some lettuce and tomatoes. Voila, the perfect lunchtime treat!
- BBQ Chicken Flatbread: Grab some flatbread, slather it with BBQ sauce, add the shredded chicken, onions, and mozzarella cheese. Pop it in the oven until it’s all melty and delicious. Sweet, tangy, and downright amazing!
And there you have it, folks! Slow cooker chicken breast is a game-changer in the kitchen. It’s versatile, flavorful, and a real time-saver. So, the next time you’re scratching your head wondering what to cook, give this recipe a whirl. Your taste buds will thank you!
Overall, cooking slow cooker chicken has been a lifesaver in my kitchen. It’s the ultimate kitchen hack for a busy bee like me. Whether it’s for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe has my back! So, give it a shot, and let me know how it turns out for you!
Finally, a big shoutout to all you fabulous readers out there! Thanks for hanging out with me and soaking in all the chicken-y goodness. Until next time, happy slow cooking!
OTHER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts
Discover the secret to tender and juicy slow cooker chicken breasts that will melt in your mouth. Try our delicious recipes today!
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick!)
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 can Diced tomatoes with their juice
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
Prepping the chicken
Start by giving those chicken breasts a good rinse under cold water. Pat them dry with some paper towels, and place them on a clean cutting board.
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if you want that extra kick!). Rub those spices in, so the chicken is coated evenly.
Into the slow cooker
Grab your trusty slow cooker and place the seasoned chicken breasts at the bottom. Make sure they're all snuggled in there without overlapping.
Pour in the chicken broth and the entire can of diced tomatoes with their juice. Now, that's what I call a flavor party!
Drizzle the olive oil on top of the chicken. This will help keep 'em nice and moist during the cooking process.
Pop on the lid, set that slow cooker to low, and let the magic begin! Cook the chicken for around 4-6 hours. You'll know it's ready when the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork. Mmm, can you smell that aroma?
Shreddin' Time
Once the chicken is done cooking, use tongs or a fork to take it out of the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.
Get ready to shred that chicken like a pro! Use two forks to pull it apart into those beautiful, juicy strands. You can do this while it's still warm, or let it cool down a bit if you don't want to burn your fingers (been there, done that!). Keep all those savory juices nearby; we'll need 'em later!
Making it saucy (optional)
Take some of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker and pour it into a saucepan.
Simmer it on low heat until it reduces and thickens slightly. This will intensify the flavors!
Now, you have a choice: you can either toss the shredded chicken in the reduced sauce, OR you can keep the sauce on the side for folks to drizzle over their chicken as they please. Options, options!
Serve and savor
You did it! Time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Serve up that scrumptious slow cooker chicken breast on buns for sliders, in tortillas for tacos, or over a plate of rice or pasta. The possibilities are endless!
Top it off with your favorite fixings, like shredded cheese, avocado slices, diced onions, or some fresh herbs. Get creative and make it your own!
Finally, take a big ol' bite and savor the tender, flavorful chicken goodness. Your taste buds will be doing the happy dance!