Chicken in Crock Pot- What Am I Doing Wrong?

Updated on December 02, 2010
S.O. asks from San Antonio, TX
18 answers

I am crock pot challenged when it comes to chicken breasts. Why can't mine come out tender and delicious?
I marinate or add broth, or soup.... etc...to the chicken and cook them on low heat for 4 -5 hours and they come out rubbery and not tender at all. What am I doing wrong?

1 mom found this helpful

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K.R.

answers from Houston on

1 - Put Saran Wrap/Plastic Wrap over the crock pot before you put the lid on. It will hold the steam in better, and keep the chicken moist.
2 - I always put my chicken breast in still half-frozen.
With these two tricks, my chicken comes out tender every time!

1 mom found this helpful

A.N.

answers from Albuquerque on

Lots and lots of water is the key to cooking in the crock pot add Lipton onion soup that makes a perfect dripping so that you can make gravy. I never use broth and everything I make comes out juicy its just all the water I use dont give it time to dry out.

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C.T.

answers from Austin on

I have an awesome crock pot recipe for chicken. It comes out moist and delicious every time, and it is the easiest recipe ever!

5 frozen chicken breasts (yes, frozen!!)
Small bag frozen corn
15oz salsa (I just use a jar of whatever I have in the pantry)
15oz black beans
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t garlic salt
1/4 t cayenne pepper or 2 Tablespoons of Chulula hot sauce (optional)

Put chicken in first, dump everything else in the crockpot, and stir. Chicken stays on the bottom. Cook on high 4-5 hours until chicken shreds easily with fork. Turn off crockpot, and add 8oz cream cheese, stir. Let sit until cream cheese melts. Serve over rice or in tortilla. Makes a lot, freezes well. Enjoy! :-)

My family loves this in tortillas, and most of the time we don't even add the cream cheese. The chicken is so moist and juicy, we don't need the calories!

Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.Z.

answers from Portland on

Sounds like it's not cooked enough. Cook it longer when on low or cook it on high for 4+ hours. I've done this with just water, herbs, salt and pepper and made a broth and juicy tender chicken. Make sure it's completely covered with whatever liquid you are using. Another thing you can do is add an acid. Marinate the chicken in milk beforehand or cook with lemons or tomatoes to break it down more. This really helps with true free-range chickens which can be tough if not cooked right.

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L.A.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try cooking on low for about 8 hours or change your temp to high.

2 moms found this helpful

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I usually only do tomatoe based things and never have an issue? Last night I made a fave around here..well all day yesterday I made it really!

Chicken (any..I had one pk of bonelss breasts and one of drumsticks...)..then a few cans of diced tomatoes (I buy these at Sams Club in the 8pks as I use them for practically everything!)...then just add a bunch of oregano and slice up a white onion or 2...some salt and pepper if you like , but I do that after as not everyone in my family likes S & P on their food.

My crock pot will go to an auto setting of high for 4 hours (unless I hit the buttons to change it)....so I left it to its 4 HIGH hours, then it goes to a warm setting..and it did that for the next 6 hours till I was ready to eat it. The chicken falls off the bone (drumsticks) and the breasts fall apart..they are almost hard to get out they are falling apart! BUt they are swimming in the diced tomatoes, so maybe liquid IS key? I am NOT a cook person tho....LOL...I just know this is one of my no fail classics my family actually loves (I do with boneless pork loins too).

I serve with Vigo yellow saffron rice and LeSuer Early peas from the can...YUM.

2 moms found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

Another vote for cooking them on high for 4hrs or low for 8hrs. That is the general rule for chicken. I am not any kind of chef and my crock pot chicken is awesome. I just sprinkle on some Tony's, thow in some onion and garlic and for chicken breasts I would add some water or broth. They should turn out great:D

1 mom found this helpful

K.W.

answers from Cumberland on

I always cook my chicken on high when I put it in the crockpot. I make sure to add lots of liquids. Do you add water with your broths or soups? I add water and it normally cooks off most the way.

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I've done chicken in the crockpot on high / low, broth, salsa, cream of whatever soup, etc and make sure it's fully covered and every time it comes out mealy. So I no longer make it in the crockpot! Sorry not the answer you wanted but you are not alone!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Don't add liquid! Maybe some "cream of" soup but not clear liquids (broth/water). Just my experience. And you can put some veggies (carrots, celery) UNDER the chicken.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

I just did 4 in my crock pot on HIGH for 7 hrs and they turned out fall-off-the-bone delicious! I think your problem is that you're cooking them on low.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

You need to cook it low for 8-9 hrs or high 5hrs. sounds like its undercooked. make sure the liquid is covering the chicken!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Key thing is to make sure there's enough liquid to entirely cover the meat. I've found if there isn't, the meat ends up dry and/or rubbery. I use frozen chicken for 6-8 hours on low and have good results.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from College Station on

I don't think I would recommend doing chicken in a crock pot. Maybe this is why you are having an issue with the chicken.

L.

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K.B.

answers from San Antonio on

I have the same problem. Chicken just does not hold up like beef does in the crockpot. I stopped making it.

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B.R.

answers from Austin on

Regarding Kacey's response--I'd recommend using foil instead of plastic wrap. Studies have shown that cooking with plastic, even in the microwave releases plastic chemicals into your food. These can be toxic. Please don't cook with plastic.

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C.T.

answers from Houston on

You need to only cook for about 2 to 3 hrs.

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S.A.

answers from Cheyenne on

I use cream soups...Also Try putting the chick in still frozen. Sound silly and you will need to cook a bit longer, but thats how I so my chick and its always falls apart. I have a real nice dish for slow cooker chick..e-mail me if you would like to try it. Its supper yummy!!!!!

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