Introduction
I love to cook, but I also have a busy schedule. That’s why I love my slow cooker: It lets me get dinner on the table with minimal effort and fuss. However, sometimes it can be a challenge to figure out how long different cuts of meat need to cook in the slow cooker. The answer is not as simple as “4 hours for boneless chicken breasts” or “6 hours for skin-on thighs.” The amount of time required depends on many factors such as size, shape and thickness of each piece of meat. Here are some guidelines so you can determine how long your slow cooker needs to stay on before serving up juicy morsels!
1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 hours
4 hours
The time it takes to cook chicken in a slow cooker depends on how large your chicken breasts are and how many you’re cooking. For example, if you have two large boneless chicken breasts, they will likely take less time than four small ones. If you need to cook for a large group or family gathering, then 4 hours is probably sufficient; however, if it’s just for yourself or even just one other person then 2-3 hours would probably be enough.
It’s important not to overcook the meat because this can lead to dryness and overcooked meat becomes rubbery when reheated later on (as opposed to tender). If this happens with your slow cooker recipe for chicken breast then try adding some liquid like water or broth during the last hour of cooking so that it doesn’t dry out too much before being ready!
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- Cook for 3.5 hours on low in a slow cooker
3.5 hours
- 5 hours is the recommended cooking time for 3 pounds of chicken breast in a slow cooker. This is also the amount of time you’ll want to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts on high or low heat if you’re using an electric pressure cooker.
For best results, let your slow cooker do all the work!
3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
3 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts will take 3.5 hours to cook in the slow cooker.
If you’re cooking for a crowd and need to feed more people than just yourself, then consider doubling or tripling this recipe!
5 hours
The recommended time for cooking chicken breast in a slow cooker is 5 hours. The general rule of thumb for cooking meat is to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be determined by using a meat thermometer.
This will ensure that the chicken breast is fully cooked, but not dry or tough.
Cook slow and low.
The cooking time for chicken breast in the slow cooker depends on a few variables: the weight of your chicken breasts, how long you want them to be cooked and how hot your slow cooker is set to.
If you’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts (which are typically around 1 pound each), they should take anywhere from 2-4 hours on HIGH or 4-6 hours on LOW. The exact time will vary depending on how thick your cut is and what kind of slow cooker you have–you may need more or less time than what’s listed here if yours runs hotter or colder than average.
As with any recipe, make sure to check on them periodically during cooking so that they don’t dry out!
Conclusion
This is a great way to cook chicken breasts in the slow cooker. It will come out tender and juicy with a nice browned crust on top. You can use this method for any recipe that calls for cooked chicken breast, such as tacos or salads.