This slow cooker chicken breast is an easy way to cook tender, juicy chicken with very little hands-on preparation. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have perfectly cooked chicken ready to slice or shred for dinner, lunches or meal prep.
I make this when I know we have a busy few days ahead, because one batch can be used in so many different ways. We might have the chicken with potatoes and vegetables for dinner, then use the leftovers in wraps, salads, pasta or easy tacos the next day.
The seasoning is deliberately simple too. Rather than giving the chicken one really strong flavour, it means you can cook a batch and then add different sauces and seasonings depending on how you want to use it.
Recipe update: This recipe was originally published on 13 July 2023 and was fully retested in November 2026 to check the cooking time and ingredient quantities. The original recipe still worked well, but I've expanded the instructions, tips and FAQs.
If you are looking for more slow cooker chicken recipes, then why not try our juicy slow cooker chicken thighs, delicious slow cooker balsamic chicken, zingy slow cooker chicken fajitas or comforting slow cooker teriyaki chicken?
Would you like to save this post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love It
- Recipe Overview
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Variations
- How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
- How Long To Cook Chicken Breast in a Slow Cooker
- Do You Have To Sear Chicken Before Slow Cooking?
- How To Keep Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts Juicy
- Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts for Meal Prep
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage, Freezing and Reheating
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Dannii's Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Chicken Recipes
- Recipe
- Feedback
Why You'll Love It
- Easy - Just a few minutes of preparation before the slow cooker does the rest.
- Perfect for meal prep - Slice or shred the chicken and use it for quick lunches and dinners.
- Tender and juicy - Slow cooking keeps the chicken lovely and tender without drying it out.
- Versatile - Use it in salads, wraps, sandwiches, pasta, tacos and more.
- High protein - An easy protein to have ready in the fridge for adding to meals.
- Family friendly - The simple seasoning means everyone can add their favourite sauces and sides.
Recipe Overview
- Chicken: 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - approximately 600g/1.3lb total
- Preparation: 10 minutes
- Cook on HIGH: 3 hours
- Cook on LOW: 4-5 hours
- Tested in: 4.5L Slow cooker
- Best for: Meal prep, salads, sandwiches, wraps and easy family meals
- Texture: Tender enough to slice or shred
- Make ahead: Yes
- Freezer friendly: Yes
These timings are based on three chicken breasts weighing approximately 600g in total and seared before going into the slow cooker.
Slow cookers do vary, as do the thickness of chicken breasts, so use the cooking time as a guide and check the thickest part of the chicken before serving.
If you skip the searing step, the chicken will take a little longer to cook.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken breasts - We use three boneless, skinless chicken breasts weighing around 600g in total. Try to choose chicken breasts that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- Olive oil - Just a little for searing the chicken before it goes into the slow cooker.
- Chicken stock - You only need a small amount of liquid, as the chicken releases juices as it cooks. The stock adds extra flavour and gives you some delicious cooking juices to spoon over the chicken afterwards.
- Salt and pepper - Season according to taste and remember that your chicken stock may already contain salt.
- Butter - Chicken breast is a very lean cut, so a little butter adds richness and flavour.
- Italian Seasoning - This gives the chicken plenty of flavour while still keeping it versatile enough to use in lots of different meals.
You can also add garlic granules, smoked paprika, thyme or oregano if you want to change the flavour.
Variations
Mexican - Use taco or fajita seasoning instead of Italian seasoning. Shred the chicken and use it in tacos, burritos or rice bowls.
BBQ - Keep the seasoning simple while cooking, then shred the chicken and stir through homemade healthy BBQ sauce.
Garlic and herb - Add garlic granules, dried parsley and thyme.
Smoky - Add smoked paprika before searing the chicken. This works really well if you are serving it with wedges.
Lemon and herb - Add dried herbs during cooking and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken before serving.
Spicy - Add chilli powder or chilli flakes to the seasoning.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a little oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts briefly on each side until lightly browned.
This step isn't essential, but it adds extra colour and flavour and also means the chicken gets a head start on cooking.
- Add to slow cooker: Put the seared chicken breasts into the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Add stock: Pour the chicken stock around the chicken and add the Italian seasoning and butter.
- Cook: Put the lid on and cook for 3 hours on HIGH or 4-5 hours on LOW.
- Check: Check the thickest part of the chicken is cooked through, then remove it from the slow cooker and leave it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or shredding.
💡 Spoon a little of the cooking liquid over the chicken before serving to keep it extra juicy.
How Long To Cook Chicken Breast in a Slow Cooker
One of the most common questions about cooking chicken breast in a slow cooker is how long does it actually need?
For three chicken breasts weighing approximately 600g in total, our tested cooking times are:
| Setting | Cooking time |
|---|---|
| HIGH | 3 hours |
| LOW | 4-5 hours |
These timings are for chicken breasts that have been seared first.
If you put the chicken straight into the slow cooker without searing it, allow a little more cooking time and check that it is fully cooked before serving.
Chicken breast doesn't benefit from being left in the slow cooker all day. Unlike tougher cuts of meat, it is naturally lean, so cooking it for much longer than necessary can make it dry.
The exact time will also depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts and your individual slow cooker. Three thick chicken breasts may need slightly longer than thinner ones of the same overall weight.
For the most accurate result, check the thickest part of the chicken with a meat thermometer rather than relying entirely on the clock. For the most accurate result, check the thickest part with a meat thermometer. The FSA gives 75°C/167°F for at least 30 seconds as a safe cooking combination.
Do You Have To Sear Chicken Before Slow Cooking?
No, you don't have to sear chicken breast before putting it in the slow cooker.
However, we prefer to sear it first because it gives the outside of the chicken extra colour and flavour. It also starts the cooking process, which is why the cooking times in this recipe are based on chicken that has already been seared.
If you are short on time, you can skip this step and put the seasoned chicken straight into the slow cooker. Just be aware that it will take longer to cook.
Searing doesn't "seal in" the juices - it is mainly there for flavour and colour.
How To Keep Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts Juicy
Chicken breast is much leaner than chicken thigh, which is why it can become dry if it is cooked for too long.
The biggest tip is simply not to overcook it. Slow cooking makes this recipe really hands-off, but that doesn't mean chicken breast needs to cook for eight hours.
Choose chicken breasts that are similar in size and thickness so they cook at roughly the same speed.
Don't use too much liquid either. The chicken releases quite a lot of its own juices while it cooks, so a small amount of stock is enough.
Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This makes it much easier to get juicy slices rather than losing all the moisture onto the chopping board.
If you are shredding the chicken, stir some of the cooking liquid back through it. This is particularly useful if you are preparing the chicken ahead of time.
Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts for Meal Prep
This is one of my favourite recipes for meal prep because you can turn one batch of chicken into several completely different meals.
Once cooked, either leave the chicken breasts whole or slice or shred them depending on how you plan to use them.
For lunches, add sliced chicken to salads or grain bowls, or use it in sandwiches and wraps.
Our quinoa Greek salad and Mediterranean rice salad both work really well with some sliced chicken added for extra protein.
For family dinners, shredded chicken can quickly be turned into tacos, quesadillas or BBQ chicken sandwiches. Try my oven baked chicken tacos.
I also like to chop it and add it to pasta when we need something quick. Having the chicken already cooked means you can get dinner on the table without starting completely from scratch. Try my leftover chicken pasta.
If you are batch cooking for several meals, keep the basic seasoning fairly neutral and add your stronger flavours later. Divide the cooked chicken into portions and add different sauces to each one.
Serving Suggestions
For an easy family dinner, serve the slow cooker chicken breast whole or sliced with potatoes and vegetables.
Our air fryer potato wedges are a great crispy side, or serve it with Microwave Mashed Potatoes if you need something really quick.
You could also serve sliced chicken over our healthy Caesar salad or add it to a rice or grain salad.
For tacos, shred the cooked chicken and mix it with some taco seasoning or chipotle sauce, then serve in tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and restaurant style salsa.
For an easy BBQ chicken sandwich, mix shredded chicken with our healthy BBQ sauce and pile it into a soft bread roll with Greek yogurt coleslaw.
Leftover slow cooker chicken is also a really easy addition to our 10 minute cream cheese pasta.
Storage, Freezing and Reheating
Fridge: Leave the cooked chicken to cool quickly and transfer it to an airtight container in the fridge within 2 hours. Eat within 48 hours or freeze it.
If you are using the chicken for meal prep, add a little of the cooking liquid to the storage container. This helps keep the chicken moist.
Freeze: You can freeze the chicken whole, sliced or shredded. Portioning shredded chicken before freezing makes it particularly easy to defrost just what you need. It will keep for up to 2 months.
Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before eating or reheating.
Cooked chicken can also be eaten cold after it has been properly cooked, cooled and refrigerated.
Reheat: If reheating, reheat it once only and make sure it is steaming hot all the way through. I usually just fry it in a pan.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken is dry | It has cooked for too long | Start checking towards the earlier end of the cooking range |
| Chicken isn't cooked after the stated time | Chicken breasts are larger, weren't seared first or your slow cooker runs cooler | Continue cooking and check again |
| One chicken breast cooks faster | The pieces are different sizes | Use similar-sized breasts where possible |
| Chicken tastes bland | It needs more seasoning | Season well before searing and add sauce after cooking |
| There is lots of liquid in the slow cooker | Chicken naturally releases liquid | Use some of it for serving or storing the chicken |
| Shredded chicken seems dry | It has lost some cooking liquid | Stir a little of the slow-cooker juices back through it |
Dannii's Top Tips
- Use chicken breasts that are a similar thickness so they finish cooking at around the same time.
- Don't keep lifting the slow cooker lid, as you lose heat each time.
- For neat meal-prep slices, refrigerate the cooked chicken breast whole and slice it once cold.
- Freeze shredded chicken in thin portions so it defrosts more quickly.
- Save some of the cooking liquid to spoon over the chicken when reheating.
- If you are making several meals from one batch, add different sauces after cooking rather than strongly seasoning the whole batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can put raw chicken breast directly into a slow cooker. We prefer to sear it first because this adds extra colour and flavour and gives the chicken a head start on cooking. If you skip the searing step, the chicken will take a little longer than the times given for the seared version of this recipe.
For three seared chicken breasts weighing approximately 600g/1⅓ lb in total, we cook them for 3 hours on HIGH. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and your slow cooker.
For three seared chicken breasts weighing around 600g/1⅓ lb, cook them for 4-5 hours on LOW. Start checking at four hours, particularly if your chicken breasts are smaller or your slow cooker runs hot.
Yes. Chicken breast is lean and can become dry if it is slow cooked for too long. This is why we don't recommend automatically leaving chicken breast in the slow cooker all day.
You don't need to cover chicken breast in liquid. The chicken releases its own juices while cooking, so a small amount of stock is enough to add flavour and prevent the base of the slow cooker from being completely dry.
No. Fully defrost frozen chicken breast before putting it in the slow cooker
Yes. Leave the cooked chicken to rest briefly and then shred it with two forks. Stir a little of the cooking liquid back through the chicken afterwards to help keep it moist.
Yes, providing your slow cooker is large enough. Try not to pack the chicken too tightly and remember that increasing the amount of chicken may increase the cooking time. Always check the thickest piece is cooked before serving.
Yes. This is one of our favourite ways to use it. Cook a batch, then slice or shred it and add it to salads, wraps, sandwiches, rice bowls and easy family dinners.
Yes, but chicken thighs have a higher fat content and different cooking times. For a recipe specifically tested with thighs, try our slow cooker chicken thighs.
More Chicken Recipes
If you've tried this slow cooker chicken breast recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy and use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 600 g (1 ⅓ lb) of Chicken breasts - (about 200g/7oz per breast)
- ¼ teaspoon of Fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon of Ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon of Olive oil
- 125 ml (½ cup) of Chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon of Butter
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat 600 g of Chicken breasts dry and season them with ¼ teaspoon of Fine sea salt and ½ teaspoon of Ground black pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat ½ tablespoon of Olive oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts briefly on each side until lightly browned.
- Add to slow cooker: Put the seared chicken breasts into the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Add stock: Pour 125 ml of Chicken stock around the chicken and add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and 1 tablespoon of Butter.
- Cook: Put the lid on and cook for 3 hours on HIGH or 4-5 hours on LOW.
- Check: Check the thickest part of the chicken is cooked through, then remove it from the slow cooker and leave it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or shredding.
Recipe Notes
- Use chicken breasts that are a similar thickness so they finish cooking at around the same time.
- Don't keep lifting the slow cooker lid, as you lose heat each time.
- For neat meal-prep slices, refrigerate the cooked chicken breast whole and slice it once cold.
- Freeze shredded chicken in thin portions so it defrosts more quickly.
- Save some of the cooking liquid to spoon over the chicken when reheating.
- If you are making several meals from one batch, add different sauces after cooking rather than strongly seasoning the whole batch.
Nutritional Information
Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
All timings are a guide and may vary depending on the ingredients, equipment and, where relevant, the appliance used. Changing the serving size may also affect the time needed.
Justine says
This is such a great way to cook chicken - it comes out tender and juicy, and even better it lets me stay focused on other things while it cooks.
Beth says
I think searing the breast before slow cooking it is so important to get the best flavor. I love how easy this is.
Anjali says
My chicken turned out perfectly in the slow cooker!! It was moist, tender and totally delicious! Thanks for this recipe!
Kim says
I think these would be great for meal prep. I eat boneless skinless chicken breasts almost all week.
Savita says
I have never tried cooking chicken breast in the slow cooker, before but the way you explained it and gave notes so well. This is going to be my dinner this weekend.
Ned says
110% will make this again! I loved using the chicken for a pot pie that fed my family. Cooking these chicken breasts in the slow cooker is such an awesome thing! I plan to keep doing this instead of buying a rotisserie chicken.
dana says
This is a great recipe! So simple and approachable and I always have these ingredients on hand. Thank you!
Holley says
I make a lot of chicken for my family and I'm always looking for new and easy recipes. This chicken recipe is soooo easy and delicious!
Charla says
Great idea! I've never thought about using my slow cooker for chicken breast. I'm looking forward to trying this over the weekend.