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Juicy Slow Cooker Chicken Breast That Never Dries Out

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This foolproof slow cooker chicken breast recipe delivers tender, juicy meat every time using a simple liquid-to-meat ratio and low, steady heat. Perfect for meal prep, it’s endlessly versatile and never dries out.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (about 900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • ¼ cup (60ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  2. Season generously with kosher salt (and optional seasonings) on all sides. Let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  3. Pour ¼ cup water or broth into the slow cooker. Add olive oil or butter. Do not stir.
  4. Arrange chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker. Do not overlap.
  5. Cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. Start checking at 2 hours.
  6. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; target 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part.
  7. Remove chicken immediately from the slow cooker using tongs.
  8. Rest on a cutting board, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
  9. Shred with two forks or slice against the grain.
  10. Optional: Drizzle a tablespoon or two of cooking liquid over shredded chicken before serving.

Notes

Do not lift the lid during cooking. Use LOW heat only. Chicken size matters more than weight; buy similar-sized breasts or cut large ones in half. Resting is essential for moisture retention. Store shredded chicken with a little cooking liquid for up to 4 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, juicy chicken breast, shredded chicken, meal prep chicken, healthy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/juicy-slow-cooker-chicken-breast-that-never-dries-out/