Print

Perfect Juicy Slow Cooker Chicken for Easy Meal Prep

slow cooker chicken for meal prep - featured image

This foolproof slow cooker chicken breast recipe delivers tender, juicy results every time with minimal effort. Perfect for meal prep, it uses simple pantry ingredients and requires just 5 minutes of prep before your slow cooker does the rest.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it in. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over all sides and massage gently.
  4. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  5. Place seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer in the slow cooker.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Turn off the slow cooker and let the chicken rest in the juices for 5-10 minutes.
  8. Shred the chicken with two forks directly in the slow cooker, or slice into thick pieces.
  9. Portion into airtight containers, drizzle with reserved cooking liquid, and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Do not overcook; check at the lower end of the suggested time. Use similar-sized chicken breasts for even cooking. Do not lift the lid during cooking. Save the cooking liquid to keep the chicken moist when storing. For frozen chicken, thaw completely before cooking.

Nutrition

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