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Easy Overnight Crockpot Chicken Breast: Best 5-Ingredient Recipe

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This overnight Crockpot chicken breast recipe delivers perfectly tender, juicy shredded chicken with just 5 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep. Set it before bed and wake up to a versatile protein ready for salads, tacos, sandwiches, and more.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme, rosemary, or oregano (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, add before serving)
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, rubbing gently to adhere.
  2. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. Try not to overlap them too much.
  3. Pour the chicken broth around the chicken, not directly over it, so the seasoning stays on the meat. The broth should come about halfway up the sides of the chicken.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Set it to LOW heat for 7 hours. If your slow cooker has a warm setting that kicks in automatically, turn it off or set a separate timer.
  5. Let the slow cooker cook overnight while you sleep.
  6. In the morning, carefully remove the lid. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of a chicken breast; it should read 165°F (74°C). If slightly under, cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes more.
  7. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Shred with two forks or use a hand mixer on low speed.
  8. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve. Pour about ¼ cup back over the shredded chicken to keep it moist. Reserve the rest for soup or gravy.

Notes

Don’t lift the lid during cooking, as heat escapes and adds 20-30 minutes to cooking time. For smaller chicken breasts (4-5 oz each), check at 6 hours. For larger breasts (8-10 oz), the full 7 hours may be needed. The chicken tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight crockpot chicken, slow cooker chicken breast, 5-ingredient chicken, easy chicken recipe, meal prep chicken, shredded chicken, overnight slow cooker chicken

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