When it comes to weeknight cooking, nothing beats a slow cooker recipe that demands almost no effort yet produces incredible results. Slow Cooker Chicken Breast is one of the simplest, most reliable dishes you can add to your rotation — tender, juicy, flavorful, and endlessly versatile.

Too many chicken breast recipes are dry, bland, or overcooked. But with a slow cooker, you get the opposite: gently cooked chicken that stays moist and soaks up every bit of seasoning. It requires only a few ingredients, minimal prep, and zero babysitting. Whether you’re a busy student, a parent trying to feed the family, or someone who wants hands-off cooking, this recipe delivers every time.

This guide gives you everything you need — the best seasonings, moisture tips, serving ideas, storage tips, and variations. Once you make this once, it will become your default method for cooking chicken breast perfectly.

⭐ Why Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Works So Well

Chicken breast is naturally lean, which means it dries out easily when cooked with high heat. The slow cooker solves this by using low, steady heat over time — resulting in:

Perfectly tender meat without toughness
Juicy texture since the moisture stays locked in
Enhanced flavor from simmering in broth and spices
Hands-off cooking while you continue with your day

Unlike grilling or pan-searing, slow cooking is almost impossible to mess up.

⭐ Ingredients

3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter (optional for extra moisture)
1 cup chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional garnish: parsley, extra butter, lemon wedges

⭐ Instructions

1. Season the Chicken

Pat chicken breasts dry. Season both sides with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.

2. Add to Slow Cooker

Place the seasoned chicken in your slow cooker. Drizzle with olive oil and add minced garlic.

3. Add Liquids

Pour in chicken broth around (not on top of) the chicken. Add butter on top for extra richness.

4. Slow Cook

Cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1.5–2.5 hours.
(LOW is recommended for best moisture and tenderness.)

5. Check for Doneness

Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). It will be extremely tender and easy to slice or shred.

6. Serve with Juices

Spoon some cooking liquid over the chicken for extra flavor and shine. Garnish with parsley.

Slow Cooker Chicken Breast

Tender, juicy slow cooker chicken breasts seasoned perfectly and cooked low and slow for an easy, hands-off weeknight meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 10

Servings: 4 breasts

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 220

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Chicken

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter optional
1 cup chicken broth
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
0.5 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

Slow cooker
Cutting board
Knife
Measuring spoons

Method

Season the chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker and drizzle with olive oil. Add minced garlic.
Pour chicken broth around the chicken and place butter on top.
Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 1.5-2.5 hours.
Check that chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serve with cooking juices spooned over the top and garnish with parsley.

Notes

For shredding, cook until extremely tender and use two forks.

⭐ Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Breast

Use LOW for Best Texture

Low-and-slow cooking ensures tenderness without breaking down the meat too much.

Don’t Overcook

Even in a slow cooker, chicken can become mushy if cooked too long.

Add Fat for Richness

Olive oil and a small amount of butter help keep chicken extra moist.

Broth Adds Flavor

Broth prevents dryness and creates delicious juices you can drizzle or save for other dishes.

Sear or Don’t — Your Choice

Searing adds flavor but is completely optional. This recipe is meant to be simple.

⭐ Flavor Variations

Garlic Herb

Add extra garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Lemon Pepper

Add lemon zest, pepper, and lemon slices.

BBQ

Replace some broth with BBQ sauce.

Creamy Ranch

Add 1 packet ranch seasoning + ½ cup cream.

Mexican-Inspired

Add chili powder, cumin, and lime juice; shred chicken for tacos.

⭐ Serving Suggestions

This chicken is incredibly versatile. Use it for:

Rice bowls
Salads
Pasta
Wraps and sandwiches
Burritos and tacos
Meal prep lunches
Added protein for soups

Or serve it simply with vegetables and potatoes for an easy dinner.

⭐ How to Store & Freeze

Refrigerate

Up to 4 days in an airtight container.

Freeze

Up to 3 months. Freeze whole or shredded.

Reheat

Warm gently in a pan with a splash of broth so it stays juicy.

⭐ Full Nutrition Estimate (Per Breast)

Approximate values:

Calories: 220
Protein: 33g
Carbs: 2g
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 0g

⭐ Why This Recipe Is a Meal Prep Favorite

Because the chicken stays tender even after refrigeration, it is one of the best proteins for prepping meals ahead of time. It reheats beautifully without getting dry — and it adapts to any flavor profile you want during the week.

⭐ Troubleshooting

Chicken turned mushy?

Cooked too long — reduce time next batch.

Chicken too bland?

Increase spices or add salt before cooking.

Too much liquid?

Let the chicken rest uncovered for 5 minutes after cooking.

⭐ Slow Cooker Chicken Breast — Final Thoughts

This is one of those set-it-and-forget-it recipes that makes life easier. With only a handful of ingredients, minimal prep, and tons of flavor, it’s the perfect base recipe for quick lunches, easy dinners, and big batch meal prep.

It’s reliable, affordable, and loved by kids and adults — the kind of recipe every home cook should keep in their back pocket.