Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Chicken
Ingredients
-
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
-
1 cup chicken broth
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
-
1 teaspoon dried thyme
-
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
-
1 teaspoon paprika (optional for color)
-
Salt and black pepper, to taste
-
2 tablespoons olive oil (optional for searing)
Equipment
-
Slow cooker
-
Knife and cutting board
-
Tongs or spatula
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
-
Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, and paprika.
Step 2 (Optional): Sear for Extra Flavor
-
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
-
This step is optional but adds depth of flavor.
Step 3: Slow Cook
-
Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
-
Pour the chicken broth over the top.
-
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
Step 4: Serve
-
Serve the chicken with the cooking juices as a light sauce, or shred the chicken to use in tacos, sandwiches, or salads.
-
Pair with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Tips
-
Vegetables: Add carrots, potatoes, or onions to the slow cooker at the bottom to make it a one-pot meal.
-
Shredded Chicken: If you want shredded chicken, remove it after cooking and shred with two forks, then return to the sauce.
-
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
If you want, I can make a 3-ingredient version of this slow cooker chicken that’s even simpler and still flavorful. It’s perfect for quick weeknight meals. Do you want me to do that?