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Perfect Never-Dry Slow Cooker Chicken Breast with Herbs

perfect never-dry slow cooker chicken breast with herbs - featured image

This recipe delivers tender, juicy slow cooker chicken breasts infused with fresh herbs and garlic butter. It’s forgiving, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 45 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken.
  3. Optional but recommended: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  4. Place fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs in the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker.
  5. Place seasoned (and optionally seared) chicken breasts on top of herbs in a single layer.
  6. Pour chicken broth around the chicken (not directly on top). Scatter butter pieces over chicken and add minced garlic.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5 to 3 hours. Do not cook on high.
  8. Check internal temperature; chicken is done at 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. If not done, cook 15-20 minutes more.
  9. Remove chicken from slow cooker using tongs and let rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes.
  10. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over rested chicken and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Slice against the grain.
  11. Optional: Strain cooking liquid into a saucepan, simmer 5-7 minutes to reduce, and spoon over sliced chicken.

Notes

For frozen chicken, add 30-45 minutes to cooking time. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F. Resting chicken before slicing is crucial for juiciness. For dairy-free, substitute butter with additional olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, never dry chicken, herb chicken, chicken breast, crockpot chicken, easy dinner, meal prep