Chicken breasts have a reputation for drying out in the slow cooker, but it only happens when they cook too long. These crockpot chicken breast recipes are timed for boneless breasts (3 to 4 hours on LOW) and cooked in enough sauce to stay juicy.
Start with the rules below, then pick a recipe.
Quick Picks
- Best for meal prep: Crockpot Chicken Tacos
- Best creamy dinner: Crockpot Pesto Chicken
- Best comfort food: Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing
12 Juicy Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipes
1. Crockpot Pesto Chicken
Breasts in a creamy pesto sauce with cherry tomatoes. LOW for 3 to 4 hours.
Get the full crockpot pesto chicken recipe
2. Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Salsa and taco spices keep the breasts moist while they cook, and then they shred easily.
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3. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Sliced into strips after cooking with peppers and onions.
Get the full crockpot chicken fajitas recipe
4. Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Cooked in broth with beans, then shredded back into the chili.
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5. Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Cooks with parboiled rice in about 4 hours on LOW.
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6. Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing
Covered with a creamy sauce and buttery stuffing that protect it from drying.
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7. Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Shredded into the sauce for sandwiches.
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8. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
Simmered in a creamy sauce, then shredded.
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9. Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cooked in a zesty broth with beans and corn.
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10. 3-Ingredient Salsa Chicken
2 lb breasts, a jar of salsa and taco seasoning. LOW for 4 hours.
Get the full 3-ingredient salsa chicken recipe
11. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken
Add 2 lb (900 g) breasts, 1/2 cup chicken broth, juice of 1 lemon, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp butter. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Spoon the lemony juices over the sliced chicken.
12. Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream and spinach.
Get the full creamy tuscan chicken recipe
How to Keep Crockpot Chicken Breasts Juicy
- Stick to 3 to 4 hours on LOW. That is enough for boneless breasts to reach 165°F. More time dries them out.
- Use sauce. At least 1/2 cup of liquid or sauce keeps breasts moist.
- Do not start on WARM. WARM is for holding food, not cooking.
- Shred into the juices. Shredded chicken soaks the sauce back up.
Equipment I Used
- Large airtight food storage container: for leftovers and freezer portions.
- Wooden cutting board with handle: for slicing and serving right at the table.
- Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons: for sauces and spice blends.
Want to batch-cook for the week? The Meal Prep for Beginners guide includes printable meal prep checklists.
Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipes FAQ
How long do chicken breasts take in the crockpot?
Boneless breasts take 3 to 4 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH, until 165°F.
Why is my crockpot chicken breast dry?
It cooked too long. Check the temperature early and pull it at 165°F.
Can I cook frozen chicken breasts in a crockpot?
No. Thaw them in the refrigerator first.
Can I cook chicken breasts on HIGH?
Yes, 2 to 3 hours, but LOW gives a more tender result.
