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Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts

Slow cooker chicken breasts that turn impossibly juicy and tender, pulling apart effortlessly in seasoned broth. Finish with a quick pan sauce made from the cooking juices, then garnish with fresh parsley and lemon for brightness.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken breasts
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.25 salt to taste
  • 0.25 cracked black pepper to taste
Cooking broth and sauce
  • 0.75 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 garlic, minced
  • 1 fresh parsley for serving
  • 1 lemon wedges, for serving

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker

Method
 

Season the chicken
  1. Season boneless skinless chicken breasts generously on both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper until evenly coated.
Slow-cook on LOW
  1. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour chicken broth around them.
  2. Add butter and the minced garlic to the slow cooker, distributing them around the chicken.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, keeping the cooker covered and checking toward the end so the chicken stays tender and not overcooked.
Rest, slice, and make pan sauce
  1. Remove the chicken breasts and rest them for 5 minutes before slicing.
  2. Pour the cooking juices over the sliced chicken to make a simple pan sauce.
Finish and serve
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Pro tip: Use the LOW time window (3-4 hours) rather than pushing longer—overcooking will dry chicken even in a broth. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently until warm. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. For a lighter swap, use olive oil in place of butter while keeping the garlic and broth the same.