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Tender slow cooker chicken breast served with herbs and spices

Slow Cooker Chicken Breast

A comforting and easy recipe for tender, flavorful chicken breasts slow-cooked with butter, garlic, lemon, and herbs, perfect for cozy dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) Use even-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 4 tbsp butter (cubed) Can swap for olive oil if dairy-free.
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh sprigs) Fresh adds bright aroma; dried is fine too.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Rub the seasoning evenly over all sides of the chicken breasts.
Arrange in the Slow Cooker
  1. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the slow cooker in a single layer.
Add the Flavor Base
  1. Scatter the cubed butter over the top of the chicken, then sprinkle the minced garlic.
  2. Pour the chicken broth around the edges (not directly over the seasoned tops), add lemon juice and tuck thyme sprigs around the breasts.
Cook
  1. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, or on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  2. For juiciest results, aim for the lower end of the temperature window and check early to avoid overcooking.
Finish and Serve
  1. Once cooked, slice against the grain or shred with forks. Spoon the buttery garlic sauce over the top before serving.
  2. For a golden finish, transfer the breasts to a baking tray, spoon sauce over them, and broil for 2–3 minutes until slightly browned.

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Store in airtight containers. Frozen chicken should be thawed safely.