5 Tips for Cooking Chicken All Day in the Slow Cooker (2024)

5 Tips for Cooking Chicken All Day in the Slow Cooker (1)

There is nothing worse than overcooked, dry chicken. But I can think of a very close second. Mushy, mealy, stringy chicken, which is sometimes the result of cooking low and slow for an extended period of time. I’ve learned this the hard way, after many attempts at cooking chicken in the crockpot on a workday, for 8 plus hours at a time.

I love my crockpot like a third child, but I realize it comes with some limitations. For a long time, I could not find the sweet spot with chicken. Most recipes were flops, but a few worked and landed themselves in the rotation. As a result of failures and successes, here are my top 5 tips for cooking chicken all day in the crockpot, plus a few recipes worth trying.

1. Use chicken thighs or leg meat over chicken breast

We’ve come to love chicken thighs over chicken breast in general because they have more flavor and don’t dry out as quickly. The same holds true in the slow cooker. Whether you go boneless or bone-in is up to you, but bone-in will have more flavor. I do recommend removing the skin in this case (unless it’s a whole chicken) because it makes the entire dish oily and will not crisp up.

2. Plan to use the meat shredded

You’re going to compromise the texture of chicken a bit when you cook it for 8 hours in the slowcooker. It’s going to be super tender, but not “sliceable”, so use this to your advantage and shred the meat using two forks and toss it with the cooking liquid. There are plenty of amazing uses for this, like shredded chicken for tacos or BBQ chicken sandwiches.

5 Tips for Cooking Chicken All Day in the Slow Cooker (2)

3. Do not start with frozen chicken, any type, no exceptions

I know there are many opinions on this, and folks swear by this method, but just save yourself the salmonella poisoning and only used thawed chicken in the slowcooker. The long and short of it, frozen chicken will likely not reach 165 degrees within the “safe window” in the crock pot. One exception would be to start 8-12 hours in advance of slow cooking, i.e. throw all ingredients in the crock, including frozen chicken, and allow to thaw overnight in the fridge (like I do with this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili). In the morning, transfer the crock to the slow cooker to do its thing (provided the chicken has thawed, which would be the case for smaller chicken breasts or thighs, not whole chickens).

5 Tips for Cooking Chicken All Day in the Slow Cooker (3)

4. Cook the whole chicken

You’re not going to end up with a golden brown, crispy skinned roast chicken in this case, but you will have fall of the bone meat and flavorful juices. Keep the skin on (you can remove after cooking), add lots of herbs, layer the bottom of your crock with potatoes, carrots and onions, let it go unsupervised for 8 hours, and walk into a very nice weeknight version of the Sunday Roasted Chicken. Try this recipe to get you started.

5. Chicken on top

Chicken pieces, particularly chicken thighs and legs, will dry out less quickly and maintain their texture best when layered on top of other ingredients. Plus, this helps to flavor the entire dish as the chicken cooks and releases juices.

Do you have a go-to chicken recipe that you can cook for 8+ hours in the slow cooker? Please share in the comments!

5 Tips for Cooking Chicken All Day in the Slow Cooker (2024)

FAQs

5 Tips for Cooking Chicken All Day in the Slow Cooker? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

Can I leave chicken in the slow cooker all day? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

How do you not overcook chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Chicken Breast Cooking Times

Cook boneless chicken breasts in slow cooker on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry and tough, even if you check it early.

How to keep chicken from drying out in a slow cooker? ›

Using a nice, long, low-and-slow cook time helps chicken breasts retain plenty of moisture - but you can certainly opt to add a splash of water or chicken stock to the crockpot if you like!

Can you cook chicken in a slow cooker for 10 hours? ›

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika, and place in the slow cooker on top of the crumpled aluminum foil. Set the slow cooker to High for 1 hour, then turn it down to Low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.

How long should you cook chicken in the crockpot? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes.

How safe is it to leave a slow cooker on all day? ›

Are slow cookers safe to leave on? Yes, it's safe to leave a slow cooker on when you leave the house. The purpose of a slow cooker is to allow you to cook while you aren't home. Slow cookers simmer food slowly, killing bacteria and raising meat to the perfect internal temperature.

Is it better to cook crockpot chicken on high or low? ›

We found that the only way to cook chicken (and turkey) in a slow cooker is on the low setting and for a relatively short amount of time.

Why is my chicken tough after slow cooking? ›

Aside from accidentally overcooking the meals, the most common reason we see for tough, rubbery, or overdone chicken is customers using a Crockpot that is far too big. Each of our meals comes with a recommended slow cooker size.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

Yes, chicken breast will become softer and more tender the longer it is cooked, provided it is cooked at a low enough temperature. If it is cooked at too high of a temperature, the chicken breast will become dry and tough.

Should chicken be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

Does chicken need to be submerged in slow cooker? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Why does chicken get watery in crockpot? ›

This moist environment allows you to leave food to cook for hours without risking it drying out. But because there is no evaporation, the liquid isn't able to reduce and thicken naturally in a slow cooker, often resulting in watery sauces and loose gravies.

What's the longest you can slow cook chicken? ›

For a whole chicken – Place it in your slow cooker breast side down. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 4-5 hours or Low for 6-8 hours. For bone-in pieces - Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 3-4 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.

Can I leave chicken in the crockpot for 12 hours? ›

The official guideline is no more than 2 hours, total, between 40°F and 140°F. So, if your room is fairly cool, and all the ingredients were cold, at two hours in the off crock pot, you're just inside these guideline. I might suggest turning up the temperature to 160 just to be safe.

Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Is it safe to eat cooked chicken left out for 4 hours? ›

Any cooked chicken left at room temperature for more than two hours should probably be thrown out. The same applies to cooked chicken enjoyed outdoors, like at a picnic or barbecue. But when the indoor or outside temperatures are above 90°F (32.2°C), the cooked chicken is unsafe to eat after one hour.

What happens if you leave food in a slow cooker too long? ›

That being said, however, it's not a good idea to leave food in a slow cooker for days at a time. The food will not only stain the cooker's interior, but it will also be soggy and overcooked and be left open to bacteria.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

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