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Chicken Breast Crockpot Recipe

This juicy, shredded chicken recipe turns 10 minutes of prep into an all-day flavor bomb. Versatile, low-effort, and slow-cooked to perfection — perfect for tacos, bowls, or sandwiches.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 265
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2–2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3–4 medium pieces)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp kosher salt (reduce to 1.5 tsp if sensitive)
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1–2 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 chipotle in adobo, minced (optional)
  • 1 tsp soy sauce or Worcestershire (optional)
  • 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar (optional)

Equipment

  • Slow cooker (4–6 quart)
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Forks (for shredding)

Method
 

  1. Add sliced onion, minced garlic, and tomato paste to the crockpot. Pour in chicken broth and whisk to dissolve the paste.
  2. In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano. Rub olive oil on chicken breasts, then coat with the spice mix.
  3. Place chicken on top of onions in the crockpot. Add lemon juice (or vinegar) and any optional ingredients like chipotle, soy sauce, or honey. Gently stir to combine.
  4. Cook on LOW for 3.5–4.5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F and is tender enough to shred.
  5. Transfer chicken to a board. Shred with two forks or slice. Return to crockpot and toss with juices for extra flavor.
  6. Stir in more lemon juice if needed. Adjust seasoning. For more sauce, add broth. For thicker texture, cook uncovered on HIGH for 15–20 minutes.
  7. Serve in tacos, bowls, sandwiches, or over greens with your favorite toppings.

Notes

For more flavor, try adding a minced chipotle in adobo or swap lemon juice with apple cider vinegar. Reheat gently with a splash of broth to keep the chicken tender. Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly.