How to slow cook chicken in crock pot

Q: Is it safe to slow cook chicken in a crock pot?

Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates its safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker.

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Behold the single food that has revolutionized my weekly meal plan! From tacos to salads to grain bowls, the simplicity and versatility of shredded chicken really can’t be beat. Thanks to the slow cooker and a foolproof ratio, making a large quantity of shredded chicken at once is possible. Here’s how you do it.

Get Started with Two Ingredients

It doesn’t get much easier or more versatile than slow cooker shredded chicken. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it superstar, and requires just two ingredients. Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts and your choice of water or chicken stock. I prefer stock, if I have it handy, because it adds a little more flavor, but water works equally well. Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken cooks up to be super tender and juicy.

The Easy Way to Scale Up or Down

Whether you’re making just a few servings or enough to feed a crowd, the effort remains the same. The important thing to remember is keeping the right ratio of chicken to liquid.

1/2 cup stock, low-sodium chicken broth, or water for every pound of chicken

Shred Chicken While It’s Still Warm

While this technique is super simple, the chicken doesn’t actually fall apart into shreds on its own (wouldn’t that be nice!). The most important thing to know is that it’s best done when the chicken is still warm, preferably right after it’s done cooking. Transfer the meat to a plate or cutting board and use two forks to pull it apart. The chicken will be so soft and tender that it will practically fall apart with just a little prodding.

As the chicken cools, the muscle fibers start to tighten up, which makes it a little tougher to shred. It’s not impossible and it still works, but it takes some more effort and the meat tends to pull apart in larger chunks rather than thin, wispy shreds.

Your Solution to a Week of Chicken-Filled Meals

The very best thing about cooking up a batch of shredded chicken is all the possibilities it brings to mealtime. It can mean a week’s worth of lunches — everything from wraps and burritos to a hearty grain bowl topping to a simple salad are made more satisfying with this protein topper. It’s also an easy solution for weeknight dinners. When you have a staple like shredded chicken in the fridge, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Recipes That Use Shredded Chicken

Ingredients

2 pounds
boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4)
1 cup
chicken stock, low-sodium chicken broth, or water

Equipment

Measuring cup
4-quart or larger slow cooker
Cutting board or large plate
Forks

Instructions

Add the ingredients to the slow cooker. Place the chicken and stock, broth, or water in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
Cook the chicken. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and registers an internal temperature of 165°F, 4 to 5 hours on the LOW setting, or 2 to 3 hours on the HIGH setting.
Shred the chicken. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board or large plate. While the chicken is still warm, use 2 forks to shred the meat. If not using immediately, store the shredded chicken with some of the cooking liquid to keep it moist.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Refrigerate the shredded chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Stylist Credits

Food styling by Ayda Robana

Forget buying a rotisserie chicken at the store and make this simple and chemical-free Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.

We rarely buy precooked chicken at the store anymore and instead make this classic whole chicken recipe or whole chicken and stuffing.

How to make a whole chicken in a crock pot:

Whole chicken – Be sure to pick a smaller sized bird. One that will fit in your slow cooker along with veggies. I try to find one in the 4-5 pound range.
Veggies – I use onion and carrots as a base to set my chicken on, this keeps the chicken out of enough of the juices so it doesn’t get completely soggy while cooking (or turn into a soup!)
Butter – Just like a turkey at thanksgiving chicken is great basted with butter.
Seasonings – Salt, pepper, thyme, garlic powder, and paprika.
Lemon Juice – I add this for a little tang and who doesn’t love lemon on chicken?!

Add your veggies on the bottom of the slow cooker.
Place the whole chicken on top.
Drizzle over melted butter and lemon juice.
Sprinkle over the seasonings.

Should I add water?

There is no need to add water to a whole chicken recipe in the slow cooker.
Adding butter or lemon juice is better for infusing flavor. Unless you want poached chicken, do not add water. Adding water can make your whole chicken taste bland.

How long do I cook?

Place the lid on the slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Cooking time varies for a whole chicken can vary in size.
You will know the chicken is cooked through when the drumsticks start separating from the breasts and the juices run clear.

Does the slow cooker brown or crisp the chicken?

No, the slow cooker can not brown food for there is no browning element.
I use paprika to give a browned look for my whole chicken recipes.
You can put your slow cooked chicken under a broiler in an oven if you want crispy skin. Be sure your slow cooker is rated for such high temperature first, or place the chicken on a sheet pan.

What instead can I put with under a whole chicken to hold it out of the juices?

The reason we place something like carrots and onion under the chicken is to keep it out of the cooking liquid so it doesn’t turn into a soup. Try one of these methods if you prefer something other than carrots and onion.

Foil balls – You can take sheets of foil and ball them up. About 5 works well.
Small metal rack (such as the rack included in an instant pot)
Potatoes – Quartered potatoes also work well.

How do I make gravy from the drippings?

You can make a wonderful gravy from the drippings from this whole chicken. Try one of these options:

Gravy made with flour – Recipe from The Spruce Eats
Gravy made with cornstarch – Recipe from Loaves and Dishes
Or use the drippings instead of water with a chicken gravy packet.

More whole chicken recipes for your slow cooker:

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Stuffing
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Rice – Recipe by Julie’s Eats and Treats
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Butternut Squash
Slow Cooker Engagement Chicken with Gravy
Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken and Squash – Recipe by Real Housemoms
Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes

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▢ 5 lb. small whole chicken (look for a chicken that is on the smaller size around 4-5 lbs.)
▢ 1/2 cup butter
▢ 1 lemon (optional)
▢ 4 carrots peeled and halved
▢ 1 red onion peeled and quartered
▢ 1/2 tsp. dried thyme (rosemary or oregano can be substituted)
▢ 1 tsp. salt
▢ 1/2 tsp. paprika
▢ 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
▢ 1/4 tsp. pepper

Add the carrots and onion to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Remove the chicken from its packaging. Remove any extra parts or packaging from the inside of the chicken. Drain off any liquid from the inside of the chicken.
Add the chicken on top of the vegetables.
Pour over the melted butter over the chicken.
Cut the lemon in half and squeeze over the chicken.
Sprinkle over the seasonings evenly.
Place the lid on the slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. This can vary for each chicken you cook, for they can vary in size. You know the chicken is done cooking when the drumsticks start pulling away from the breasts and the juices run clear. If you are concerned if your chicken is done, use a thermometer. 165° Fahrenheit is the safe temperature for chicken.

Should I add water?

There is no need to add water to a whole chicken recipe in the slow cooker.
Adding butter or lemon juice is better for infusing flavor. Unless you want poached chicken, do not add water. Adding water can make your whole chicken taste bland.

What instead can I use to raise the chicken out of the cooking liquid? The reason we place something like carrots and onion under the chicken is to keep it out of the cooking liquid so it doesn’t turn into a soup. Try one of these methods if you prefer something other than carrots and onion.

Foil balls – You can take sheets of foil and ball them up. About 5 works well.
Small metal rack (such as the rack included in an instant pot)
Potatoes – Quartered potatoes also work well.

Does the slow cooker brown or crisp the chicken?

No, the slow cooker can not brown food for there is no browning element.
I use paprika to give a browned look for my whole chicken recipes.
You can put your slow cooked chicken under a broiler in an oven if you want crispy skin. Be sure your slow cooker is rated for such high temperature first, or place the chicken on a sheet pan.

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?

Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.

How long does it take to cook chicken in a slow cooker?

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

Is it safe to slow cook chicken in a crock pot?

Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates it's safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker.

Can I cook chicken in slow cooker without liquid?

There is no need to add water to a whole chicken recipe in the slow cooker. Adding butter or lemon juice is better for infusing flavor. Unless you want poached chicken, do not add water.