Cooking chicken breast from frozen in a slow cooker like a Crock-Pot is absolutely possible. However, it requires some special considerations to ensure the chicken cooks thoroughly and comes out tender and juicy.
When chicken is frozen, it takes significantly longer to cook through to a safe internal temperature. If you simply throw frozen chicken breasts into the slow cooker and turn it on, they will likely still be raw or undercooked in the middle even after hours of cooking.
With some simple tips and tricks, though, you can easily adapt any Crock-Pot chicken breast recipe to accommodate frozen meat. Here’s what you need to know.
Thawing First
One option is to thaw the chicken breasts before putting them in the slow cooker. This allows you to cook them exactly as you would fresh chicken.
To safely thaw frozen chicken breasts:
- Place them in the refrigerator 24-48 hours before cooking. Allow approximately one day of thawing for every 1 pound of chicken.
- Submerge a resealable plastic bag of chicken in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed. About 30 minutes per pound.
- Microwave on the “defrost” setting if your microwave has this option. Approximately 8 minutes per pound.
Once thawed, pat the chicken breasts dry and proceed with your favorite Crock-Pot recipe.
Pros
- Ensures chicken cooks through properly and evenly.
- No changes needed to the recipe ingredients or cooking time.
- Helps prevent potential food safety issues.
Cons
- Requires nearly a full day of advance planning.
- Chicken may suffer some loss of quality from an extra thaw cycle.
Cooking from Frozen
It’s also very possible to skip defrosting and place frozen chicken directly in the slow cooker. However, the recipe will need a few tweaks.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Chicken in the Crock-Pot
- Use warm or hot liquid. Cold liquid from the fridge will dramatically increase total cook time.
- Cut chicken breasts into smaller pieces so they cook faster. Try 1-inch cubes.
- Add a bit more liquid than usual. Frozen chicken won’t release juices as it cooks.
- Cook on LOW only, for 7-8 hours.
- Use a thermometer to check doneness. Chicken should reach 165°F internally.
- Let pressure release naturally if cooking frozen chicken in a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot.
Pros
- Saves time defrosting chicken.
- Frozen chicken acts like its own ice pack, helping keep the Crock-Pot cool.
- Smaller pieces infuse better with flavors.
Cons
- Taking temperature readings is important for food safety.
- Chicken may be less evenly cooked.
- Can result in drier, stringier texture.
Recommended Recipes and Cooking Times
To cook frozen chicken breasts in the Crock-Pot perfectly every time, here are some recipe ideas with approximate cook times:
Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
- 1 pound frozen chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with chiles
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours
Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Chicken
- 2 pounds frozen chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 cup warm water
- Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours
Crock-Pot Chicken Fajitas
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 pound frozen chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with chiles
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
- 1/4 cup warm chicken broth
- Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours
Cooking Time Table
For easy reference, here are the approximate cook times for different amounts of frozen chicken breasts in a Crock-Pot on LOW:
| Amount of Frozen Chicken | Approximate Cook Time on LOW |
|---|---|
| 1 pound | 6-7 hours |
| 2 pounds | 7-8 hours |
| 3 pounds | 8-9 hours |
| 4 pounds | 9-10 hours |
Keep in mind cook time can vary based on the specific recipe, ingredients, and thickness of chicken breasts. Always check internal temperature with a meat thermometer before serving.
Tips to Prevent Undercooking
To ensure food safety and properly cooked chicken when working with frozen meat in the Crock-Pot:
- Cut chicken breasts into smaller, uniform pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Use a digital instant-read thermometer to check temperature.
- Aim for at least 165°F in the thickest part of breasts.
- Don’t use the WARM setting to finish off partially cooked frozen chicken.
- Stir periodically to help distribute heat if possible.
- Add extra heating time if needed to fully cook through.
Undercooked chicken can harbor dangerous bacteria and lead to foodborne illness. Take the extra steps to guarantee safety.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen chicken breast in the Crock-Pot is an easy, hands-off way to prepare juicy, flavorful chicken any night of the week.
With some simple recipe adjustments like cutting chicken into smaller pieces, adding extra liquid, cooking on LOW only, and verifying doneness with a thermometer, you can successfully adapt any Crock-Pot chicken dish to use frozen meat.
Refer to the cook time chart for approximate hours needed. And as always, follow proper food handling guidelines to prevent bacteria growth.
With the right techniques, your Crock-Pot creations using frozen chicken can be just as delicious and safe as those starting with fresh.