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Easy Overnight Crockpot Chicken Breast (Never Dry)

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This easy overnight crockpot chicken breast recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken every time. With just five minutes of prep and simple ingredients, you can wake up to perfectly cooked chicken ready for shredding.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 to 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 to 6 medium breasts)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ¾ teaspoon table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help seasoning stick and prevent steaming.
  2. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Rub olive oil over chicken breasts, then sprinkle seasoning evenly on both sides.
  3. Pour ½ cup chicken broth into the slow cooker. Add lemon juice if using.
  4. Arrange seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in the slow cooker, avoiding overlap if possible.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours (overnight is perfect). Do not cook on high.
  6. After 6 hours, check internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. Up to 175°F is still acceptable.
  7. Turn off the slow cooker and let the chicken rest in the liquid for 10 minutes to redistribute juices.
  8. Shred with two forks or slice. If chicken resists shredding, cook another 30 minutes.
  9. Store shredded chicken with some of the cooking liquid (about ¼ cup per cup of chicken) to keep it moist.

Notes

Do not use frozen chicken breasts; thaw in fridge overnight. Stick to ½ cup broth to avoid waterlogged chicken. Always use low setting. Let chicken rest 10 minutes after cooking. For Mexican-style, swap thyme and paprika for cumin, chili powder, and oregano, and use lime juice. For Italian herb, use Italian seasoning and add balsamic vinegar. For lemon garlic, add crushed garlic cloves and extra lemon juice. For spicy buffalo, toss shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight crockpot chicken, slow cooker chicken breast, juicy chicken, meal prep chicken, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/easy-overnight-crockpot-chicken-breast-never-dry/