How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in a Crock Pot

If you’re not cooking with frozen chicken breasts, you’re missing out on some frugalicious and fast dinners! They’re a busy mom’s secret to quick and easy dinners.
If you’re not cooking with frozen chicken breasts, you’re missing out on some frugalicious and fast dinners!  They’re a busy mom’s secret to quick and easy dinners.

10 reasons you should be cooking with frozen chicken breasts…

  1. They’re a frugal shoppers delight!  Costco sells a 6.5-lb. bag of frozen chicken breasts for $17.  If you’re not a member of Costco or Sam’s, you’ll discover that frozen chicken breasts are frequently on sale at your neighborhood grocery.
  2. A 6.5-lb. bag has about 24 chicken breasts, and that’s enough for at least 6 meals.
  3. There’s less waste because you don’t have to worry about expiration dates.
  4. Fewer trips to the grocery because you don’t have to pick up a fresh package of chicken just to make dinner.
  5. No need to thaw before cooking…throw them on the grill or in the crock pot!
  6. No trimming or stinky parts to deal with, and when you’re a vegetarian mom cooking for a family of carnivores – this is really important!
  7. If you always have a bag of frozen chicken breasts, you’ll always have something for dinner!  No more excuses for eating out!
  8. A busy mom’s go-to dinner.
  9. Chicken Tacos…an effortless dinner that starts with frozen chicken breasts in a crock pot!
  10. Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole, Chicken Enchiladas, King Ranch Chicken…these recipes start with shredded chicken that you’ll prepare in your crock pot.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in a Crock Pot

Many crock pot recipes start with frozen chicken breasts like my Chicken Taco recipe, and you just add a few ingredients for an effortless dinner.

If you have a recipe that calls for shredded chicken, you can prepare perfectly shredded chicken by putting 4 frozen chicken breasts in your crock pot with 1/2 cup water on low for about 6 hours and then use 2 forks to shred.  The meat should shred easily.  (Note:  cooking times vary from crock pot to crock pot, so start checking your chicken breasts after 4 hours).

Please leave a comment to share your favorite recipes that start with frozen chicken breasts.


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Maria
2 years ago

Just wondering if I can use frozen chicken breasts to make a chicken and rice meal. And how long should it cook for?

Felicia
5 years ago

Frozen chicken is usually pre-cooked. I think it’s safe to go in a crockpot with other items, as long as it’s pre-cooked.

Michele Winslow
6 years ago

For dinner today, I’m putting 2 huge chicken breast, Parmesan cheese, and zesty Italian dressing in a crockpot for 8 hrs. Only difference is breast were thawed.

Ashlynne
5 years ago

Michele,
Can you share the recipe you used? I’d love to know how much of each you put in the crockpot!

Rizzy
6 years ago

I would like to make 2 frozen chicken breasts in a crock pot with seasoning n I should put 1/2 cup water …. does n e one kno can I add quinoa to the water n chicken n cook this all @the same time in the crock pot ?

Mary Lynn
7 years ago

I need to cook & shred 8 chicken breasts. How long would you cook for double the chicken?

Kelly
7 years ago

This article has the heading that less me to believe that it tells you how to cook frozen chicken breast in a slow cooker, but I don’t see what setting and for how long, which is what I expected to find in this article.

Ang
7 years ago
Reply to  Kelly

This article DOES tell you the setting, and for how long.

melanie
6 years ago
Reply to  Kelly

“with 1/2 cup water on low for about 6 hours and then use 2 forks to shred.”

leakat
7 years ago

Wow! this is great food. Please more details.

fghdfgh
8 years ago

Bahahaha how many chicken breasts do you eat a meal? 24 chicken breasts is 24 meals!!!

J
7 years ago
Reply to  fghdfgh

She DID say she has more than one person in her family…

John waters
6 years ago
Reply to  fghdfgh

Please fool!!!! just eat a can of dog food that should work for ya…

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

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Michelle
8 years ago

Is it safe to use frozen chicken in the crock pot? I would like to keep using frozen chicken but I read that it isnt safe?!!!

Marian
8 years ago
Reply to  Michelle

We suggest to thaw the meat first–perhaps a day or two before. Or you’re in a hurry, use the defrost setting on your microwave to gently thaw out the meat then transfer it to the crockpot to cook.

Ray
7 years ago
Reply to  Marian

But isn’t this article specifically for using frozen chicken breasts in a crockpot without thawing it first? lol

Ang
7 years ago
Reply to  Michelle

Invest in a thermometer, and eliminate your worries of undercooked chicken. No matter how you cook chicken breast if its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 Celsius) then the meat is 100% safe to eat. I can achieve a temperature of 165 degrees F when I cook frozen chicken breasts in a Crock-Pot for 4hrs on high. The makers of Crock-pot agree. Enjoy FABULOUSLY moist chicken, no hassle, no annoying thaw time, no worries!

LittleT
7 years ago
Reply to  Ang

I need to be out of the house for longer than 4hrs, can I cook it on low and for how long? Thanks!!!

LittleT
7 years ago
Reply to  LittleT

Never mind, sorry! I reread it and u already said low would need to cook for 6hrs! Thanks, can’t wait to try it!! 🙂

Sage7x7
6 years ago
Reply to  Ang

Hi Ang, that makes sense. If the internal temperature is according to the meat you’re cooking, there shouldn’t be a problem cooking frozen chicken in the crock pot. It is summertime here in California so I’ve been looking for crock pot recipes so that I don’t have to turn on my stove or oven. The idea of not having to defrost chicken breasts saves me time and makes sense that it CAN cook in the crock pot, safely, if you use wisdom. Thanks for sharing.

Melisa
8 years ago

I use a hand mixer every time I need to shred chicken, or any meat. It literally takes maybe 30 seconds. It’s so awesome

Caity
5 years ago
Reply to  Melisa

I do the same! Makes pulled pork so easy!

Elizabeth Diamond
8 years ago

I had a brand new large oval crockpot crack, I called the help desk on the box and the lady explained to be I did not have enough liquid in the crockpot which causes it to crack she said it needed to be at least half full of Liquid. The newest crockpots come to a boil very quickly and are much hotter than the older models. She also sent me a replacement crock since it was still under warranty.

Carol
7 years ago

Seems like an awful lot of liquid! I’m glad I have a vintage crockpot (from the Salvation Army store).

Lynette
8 years ago

I only use frozen cx breasts in the crockpot, love it!! I also add some seasonings to it when cooking… when cooking mexican I add taco seasoning and sometimes some salsa or diced tomatoes. Or at least salt/pepper/poultry seasoning. Yum!

Tom
2 years ago
Reply to  Lynette

Do you put the seasoning in at the beginning?

Melissa
8 years ago

Could you use chicken broth instead of water for more flavor?

Amber Mosley
1 year ago
Reply to  Melissa

I use Swanson broth for everything instead of water. Gives more flavor. But I use the one with “less sodium” and I add spices depending on what meat I’m cooking.

Gena
8 years ago

Why does my crockpot Crack when adding frozen food ? I’ve lost 3 crockpots from doing this. 🙁
Am I the only one this happens to ?

Mary Lynn
7 years ago

Is the crockpot warm when you put the chicken in? I was told to put frozen chicken in before you turn on the crockpot, then turn on & let them warm up together. I almost always use frozen chicken vs raw & have never had it crack, 11 years strong. I think if you add frozen food to a hot crock that probably causes it to crack. I hope that was the problem & helps!

Cheryl
8 years ago
Reply to  Gena

You are not the only one! I have an expensive All-Clad crockpot that cracked due to putting in frozen chicken. I had other ingredients and liquid in there, too. And it was a very thick crock. I say just don’t do it! Thaw first. Cost me $60 to replace the crock. I know I can buy a new crockpot in another brand for that price, but I love my All-Clad!

fghdfgh
8 years ago
Reply to  Gena

you need to thaw it in the fridge first.

hedy
8 years ago

lol i use my hands to shred chicken every week for my elderly beagle,,,works GREAT and only have my hands to wash up…[cook in crockpot chicken carrots..shred chicken mash the carrots then.freeze in bags..thaw add chicken broth [frozen in small containers] add small amount of canned chicken dog food and vitamins… and brown rice… she loves it and can eat it w/o teeth…VERY HEALTHY

Kalli
11 years ago

Hi there,

I want to make the chicken taco recipe but I have a question. I noticed that your basic recipe calls for 1/2 cup of water. However, in your chicken taco recipe there’s no water being called out. Was that an oversight or is it not needed?

Thanks!
Kalli

sharyl
11 years ago

You can put the chicken breast in a Kitchen aid type mixer with the paddle attachment and it will shred the chicken perfectly for you.

Nicki
8 years ago
Reply to  sharyl

You can also let it cool for just a couple of minutes, throw it into a gallon zip back, and then break it up with your hands. So easy, not messy, and no mixer to wash.

Carol
7 years ago
Reply to  Nicki

I like this ziplock bag idea! Thanks.

Julie
11 years ago

Thanks for this! Another easy way to shred chicken is to use a hand or stand mixer and turn it loose on the chicken.

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