How to cook Crockpot frozen chicken on low so it’s tender and easy to shred right in the pot. Or leave whole like our Crockpot Chicken Frozen Breasts, slice and enjoy with rice. Made into sliders or a number of casseroles it is an easy way to cook meat right out of the freezer.

Crockpot Frozen Chicken
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Have you tried making Crockpot frozen chicken breasts before? Did you know it was possible, and even so delicious done this way? Yes, one of our favorite and easy Crockpot recipes on the blog. (affiliate links present)

Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Crockpot Recipe

It really doesn’t matter whether they’re bone in or without, but the latter is just so much easier. If you are forgetful and don’t always have time to defrost meat ahead of time this will be a game changer. A great way to make shredded chicken for tacos later in the day, to serve with rice, or as is as a high protein meal.

This is the best way to slow cook frozen chicken breasts by far. With just 2 ingredients you can set it and forget it in the morning and have a one pot meal done when you get home. Melt in your mouth meat you can toss with sauce or eat with just salt and pepper.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

  1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
  2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. ๐Ÿ˜‰

A floral design slow cooker with a white base and lid sits on a kitchen countertop, perfect for whipping up a 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe.

It’s quite simple to do this really. Yes we have made frozen chicken in the Instant Pot before too but if you have some time, low and slow is the way to go.

You can use water or broth if you have it. The only difference is the flavor at the end. Want it intense, use broth and bullion cubes. Seeking more subtle flavors so you can make chicken sliders, then just use seasonings.

LOVE batch cooking but don’t have time to tend to the stove for boiled shredded chicken, this may be exactly what you’re looking for.

frozen boneless skinless chicken crockpot

Slow Cooked Frozen Chicken Breast

Depending on the size of your pot you could certainly double the recipe, or use multiple Crock pots to make a number of slow cooker chicken recipes later on.

You’d need to follow food safety guidelines to check temp, shred, cool, and then vacuum seal bags in 1 lb. increments. Lay flat and freeze to use for chicken casserole or chicken tacos later on in the months ahead.

Is it safe to put frozen chicken in the Crockpot?

Can you put frozen chicken in the Crockpot? You can! I mean, always ensure the internal meat temperature is high enough before consuming any sort of poultry, but this is how it’s done.

How long does frozen chicken take in Crockpot?

Set aside a good 6 hours to make sure it is thoroughly cooked through to the center of the thickest piece. If you attempt to shred them with forks and it’s tough at all, it’s not done yet.

How do I cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker?

All you need is some liquid, seasonings, and a bag of frozen skinless breasts. I haven’t tried thighs but I imagine they’d take a bit less time but shred nicely just the same.

2 main ingredients is all you need. You heard me right, beyond that it is just seasonings of your choice, and/or chicken bullion.

crockpot frozen chicken breast

Crockpot Frozen Chicken Breast

You can see it all thrown in right here. Since water was used, chicken base was added for flavor. Garlic powder and salt are great additions as well.

Ingredients

  1. Bag of frozen chicken
  2. Water and bullion or chicken broth
  3. Salt and pepper
  4. Seasonings of your choice beyond that
  5. Forks for shredding at the end

Cooking chicken this way is super easy. You just need a thermometer to ensure it is out of the danger zone, once chicken reaches 165 degrees F you’re good to go. Home cooks out there, this may be a major game changer for you once you learn how to cook frozen meat in the Crockpot.

Crockpot Frozen Chicken breasts

Frozen Chicken Slow Cooker How Long

If you cover and cook on the low setting it should take 6-8 hours depending on how many pieces you’re cooking at a time. This is 3 pounds as you see it here. I do not recommend cooking on high for this one. This and as well as other proteins really need a low and slow temperature to break down tissues and get so soft they become fork tender.

Adding more may increase the cook time. If you’re feeding a large crowd this is sure to please. Just keep on the warm setting when done and leave out all the toppings people would like to create the best chicken taco bowl.

slow cooker frozen chicken

How to Make Frozen Chicken in a Crock Pot

Here are the basic step by step instructions. I have a printable recipe card at the bottom as well if you’d prefer that to keep it handy in your cookbook. This is for breasts. If you want to cook a frozen whole chicken in Crockpot I have instructions for that here too.

  1. Put breasts in pot with water and sprinkle bullion on top.
  2. Close lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours.
  3. Check internal temp at this time and ensure it has reached 165 degrees F in thickest part of meat.
  4. Shred with 2 forks, lift out with slotted spoon to make a number of different recipes.

How long will shredded chicken last?

If you just cool and bag it you’ll be safe eating it up to another 4 days after that. Know you won’t eat it all in that time? Packaging it up in airtight storage bags and freezing it will prolong it’s life to 3-4 months.

shredded chicken crockpot

What can you use shredded chicken for?

OH let me count the ways we use leftover chicken breasts:

From soft chicken tacos, to adding it to slow cooker soups, eating it as is tossed with some teriyaki sauce for a low carb meal and more it’s super versatile.

Need a faster way to make frozen chicken legs in Instant Pot? We have directions for that too!

instant pot frozen Chicken Legs
crockpot shredded chicken
5 from 11 votes

Crockpot Frozen Chicken

By The Typical Mom
How to cook Crockpot frozen chicken breasts so it's tender and easy to shred right in the pot. Then make sliders or a number of casseroles with it.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 6 hours
Servings: 5
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 3 lbs chicken breasts, frozen
  • 1 c water, or chicken broth
  • 1 tsp salt, would omit is using broth
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp chicken bullion, or chicken base, would omit is using broth

Instructions 

  • Put breasts in pot with water and sprinkle bullion on top.
  • Close lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours.
  • Check internal temp at this time and ensure it has reached 160 degrees F in thickest part of meat.
  • Shred with 2 forks, lift out with slotted spoon to make a number of different recipes.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 2oz, Calories: 311kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 58g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 174mg, Sodium: 783mg, Potassium: 1007mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 82IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!
crockpot frozen chicken breasts

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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5 from 11 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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13 Comments

  1. Do not freeze food that has already been frozen before!!! It means you destroy any nutrition left after cooking.

  2. This was very helpful and made for some delicious shredded chicken that we used in our tacos! Thanks!

  3. I love your cute crock pot! And I love this great recipe – it has made dinners so much easier and delicious!

  4. I always have chicken in the freezer, so this is super helpful to me. Thanks so much for sharing!

  5. Shredded, moist chicken is perfect for busy people on the go! So many dinner options. Thanks for sharing this!

  6. Super easy and foolproof recipe! I make a big batch and then use it for sandwiches, salads, etc.

  7. This is a life saver for our busy family! I can’t tell you how many times we ate drive-through food because I forgot to take the chicken out to thaw before this. Thanks!