How Long To Cook Boneless Chicken Breast In Slow Cooker?

All-purpose shredded chicken prepared in the Crockpot that is seasoned, slow cooked for the entire day, and ready to go in any of your favorite wraps, tacos, or casseroles. Or, you can freeze it to use for later!.

I have to admit that this straightforward, everyday-looking crockpot full of chicken is one of my all-time favorite recipes on my blog.

One of those recipes that I always have on hand during the chaos of mealtime is this one.

This is just as delicious as rotisserie chicken, but you can make a huge batch at home and store it in the freezer for up to two months!

In my recipe, I’m supposed to use about 3 pounds of chicken, which works out to about four large chicken breasts.

It can cook on low all day long and still be incredibly juicy because it goes straight into the crockpot with some chicken broth and seasonings.

I therefore receive a total of about 6 cups of shredded chicken for the 3 pounds of chicken.

I then simply let it cool after shredding, saving about two cups for the week in the refrigerator, and freezing the remainder.

You can divide it up however you like, but I usually save 1-2 cups per zip-lock bag!

If you want to have a lot of shredded chicken on hand, you can also simply double this recipe.

This chicken really does have all-purpose flavor and pairs well with anything; once it’s cooked and shredded, you can add things like hot sauce, ranch dressing, taco seasoning, salsa, and other awesome things. etc. and incorporate it into your salads for the following week to simplify your life and liven up your salad.

How to Store and Freeze Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

To Store. Place shredded chicken in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To Reheat. Gently rewarm plain shredded chicken in the microwave until hot, topped with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it from drying out. If you’re serving sauce with your chicken, you can reheat the chicken in the sauce on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

To Freeze. Store shredded chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

To have cooked chicken available whenever you need it for a variety of quick and simple shredded chicken recipes throughout the week, divide your crockpot pulled chicken into smaller portions and store in the refrigerator or freezer as desired.

Best Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Don’t Overcook the Chicken. You can overcook chicken in a slow cooker. If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry. Check your chicken for doneness early, especially if it is one of your first times making it. I also like to use a programmable slow cooker to deter overcooking.

Cook on LOW Heat. Chicken breasts cooked on high may finish more quickly, but it is much more prone to drying out. Even on LOW, this recipe cooks fairly quickly. The wait time isn’t significant, and the trade-off is worth it.

Cook in a Single Layer. Make sure your chicken pieces are arranged in a single layer, so they cook evenly.

No Need to Add Liquid. The natural moisture in the chicken is sufficient as long as the chicken is in a single layer. That means you can make this crockpot shredded chicken with no broth.

Season! A good sprinkle of kosher salt is essential for any kind of flavor. I also like to add black pepper. See below for more seasoning ideas.

Let the Chicken Rest. Let your chicken rest for at least 5 minutes after it comes out of the slow cooker before shredding. This will help keep the juices inside the chicken, so it stays moist.

Seasonings for Crockpot Shredded Chicken

The best seasonings for chicken if you want to use it in a variety of recipes are salt and pepper because they go with just about any dish.

Here are some additional seasoning suggestions to take into account, though, if you want to give your simple crockpot shredded chicken breast more flavor:

Mexican Shredded Chicken. Add the seasonings from my Crock Pot Mexican Chicken.

Italian Shredded Chicken. Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to your chicken. See also: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore.

Spicy Shredded Chicken. If you love spice, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to your chicken.

Buffalo Shredded Chicken. Follow the crockpot shredded chicken recipe from this Healthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes recipe.

FAQ

Is it better to slow cook chicken breast on low or high?

For the best results, always cook your boneless, skinless chicken breasts on low heat. Even if you check it early in the cooking process, I do not advise cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH because it will become very dry.

Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, it is possible to overcook chicken in a slow cooker; if the meat is cooked for an excessively long time, it may become dry and tough. If you use less chicken than called for in the recipe, I would advise checking it sooner because the recommended times in my recipe are ideal for juicy results.

Do you need liquid to slow cook chicken breast?

No, you don’t need to add any chicken broth or chicken stock as long as the breast pieces are arranged in a single layer and in contact with the slow cooker. I don’t advise doing this if you’re doing multiple layers because you’ll need to add liquid to cover the meat.

Can you cook chicken in slow cooker for 2 hours?

According to America’s Test Kitchen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts should be cooked in the slow cooker for 1-2 hours on low. Bone-in Split Chicken Breasts: 2-3 hours on Low. Chicken Thighs: 3-4 hours on Low.