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Easy Juiciest Overnight Crockpot Chicken Breast

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This overnight crockpot chicken breast is incredibly tender and juicy, made with simple ingredients and minimal effort. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or easy weeknight dinners, it’s a forgiving recipe that delivers every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2–3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 900g-1.4kg)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (240ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 bay leaves (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30ml, optional, added at end)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (optional)
  • For serving: buns or rolls, BBQ sauce or hot sauce, coleslaw or pickles

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of each chicken breast, rubbing it in.
  2. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot in a single layer. Tuck bay leaves between pieces if using.
  3. Pour the chicken broth around the chicken, not directly on top, so the broth comes about halfway up the sides of the chicken.
  4. If using butter, dot the small pieces on top of the chicken.
  5. Put the lid on the crockpot and set to low. Set the timer for 8 hours (or start around 10 PM for 6 AM readiness).
  6. In the morning, turn off the crockpot and remove the lid carefully. Use tongs to transfer chicken to a cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  7. Shred the chicken using two forks or a hand mixer on low speed (about 20-30 seconds).
  8. Pour about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid back over the shredded chicken, adding more if needed for moisture. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding lemon juice if desired. Keep warm on the warm setting for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting step before shredding—it keeps the chicken moist. Every crockpot runs differently; check at 7 hours if yours runs hot. The chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). For best results, add some cooking liquid back after shredding. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken, overnight chicken, shredded chicken, slow cooker chicken, juicy chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, potluck chicken

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/easy-juiciest-overnight-crockpot-chicken-breast/