Crockpot chicken - what did I do wrong?

[notsocreepylurker]

I know this isn't the cooking board but I lurk here the most

I put 4 frozen chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, organic) in the crockpot with some Newman's Lite Vinegrette to cook today.  I just pulled the breasts out and they were falling apart.  However, they don't seem very moist to me.  Everyone I know who uses the crockpot for chicken says the meat comes out so moist and just falling apart.

What could I have done wrong?

[Deleted]

When you took the lid off, was there still liquid in the crock pot? I usually have to add chicken broth to my crock pot chicken to keep it moist.

[Deleted]

I have been told to not put frozen meats in a crock pot. Always thaw first.

[thelongroad]

How long did they cook? I know my Crockpot runs hot, so I have to reduce cooking time. They may also need more liquid. Is it dry?

[pantsparty]

Because chicken is so lean, you can overcook it in the crockpot. How long was it in?

[rupertpenny]

Jan 20, 2013 19:04:57 GMT -5 kevin arnold said:

This.

What is the point of cooking chicken breasts in the crock pot? I brown both sides in a cast iron skillet and then stick the whole thing in a 400 degree oven and in 20 minutes have delicious juicy breasts. A crock pot is more trouble than it's worth for chicken breasts.

[wannabe]

Chicken always sucks ass in the crock pot.

[notsocreepylurker]

Thanks all.

There was plenty of liquid left - the breasts were totally covered the whole time.

I am not much of a cook normally -- fast food or frozen pizza are my specialties. I am on a new diet and wanted some cooked chicken to have at work to munch on if I got hungry (got today's recipe from my diet's website).

Usually when I cook chicken I bake it but it still isn't very moist.

[notsocreepylurker]

OH and it was in 6 hours on low

[MWOS]

I don't know shit about cooking, but it seems like heating chicken in an acidic solution for 6 hours would not be good.

[SKP82]

Chicken is lean and can easily dry out in the crockpot, especially if you didn't have any added fat.

[Bernadine]

I just recently read something about cooking chicken at a higher temp for less time. I made some chicken tenders at 400 or 450 for about 20 mins in barbecue sauce and they were nice and juicy.

[MWOS]

NC, Dickmove just didn't want to hear my thoughts on denaturing proteins.

[alexis]

Your chicken was overcooked. Overcooked meat is still dry even if it was submerged in liquid for cooking.

[bab]

I cook chicken breasts in cast iron or on the grill. There is no need for a crock pot.

[Deleted]

Yeah, the only time I do chicken in the crock pot is in stews or soups. Try making a pork or beef roast.

[Deleted]

Omg at Rupert....

You cook shit in a crock pot do you can LEAVE THE HOUSE.

You come home after work and dinner is ready. Walla.

[bab]

Jan 20, 2013 20:38:09 GMT -5 @stellasmom said:

Omg at Rupert....

You cook shit in a crock pot do you can LEAVE THE HOUSE.

You come home after work and dinner is ready. Walla.

But plain chicken breasts cook up so quickly there is really no need to heat them for 8-9 hours!  I can understand using a crockpot for roasts, stews, chili, soups and bone in meats, but for plain, boneless, skinless breasts it does not make sense. 

[daisyheadmaizie]

I'm guessing you over cooked and the liquid you added may not have been the best choice. My no fail chicken crockpot dishes are salsa chicken, BBQ chicken, and then assorted soups and stews. Otherwise, I cook chicken in the oven or in a skillet on the stove. I only like crockpot chicken if it is going to be shredded.

[Deleted]

Next time, do the chicken breasts on high for 2-4 hours. I rarely cook chicken on low for 6-8.

[CurlyQ284]

You say when you bake it, it still isn't moist? Do you have a meat thermometer? It takes the guesswork out of the cooking time so you don't overcook it.

[notsocreepylurker]

Thanks all. Guess I am going to go invest in a cast iron skillet and meat thermometer (mine broke). I probably do overcook in the oven because I am so scared of it not being cooked enough.

[cleo29]

Jan 20, 2013 19:16:51 GMT -5 notsocreepylurker said:

Thanks all.

There was plenty of liquid left - the breasts were totally covered the whole time.

I am not much of a cook normally -- fast food or frozen pizza are my specialties. I am on a new diet and wanted some cooked chicken to have at work to munch on if I got hungry (got today's recipe from my diet's website).

Usually when I cook chicken I bake it but it still isn't very moist.

Next time, try using a marinade (I like to keep them in a plastic zip lock baggy for at least an hour in the fridge) and then bake for about 30 minutes at 350. My chicken breasts always come out juicy and tender this way.

[MixedBerryJam]

Jan 20, 2013 19:19:33 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

Chicken is lean and can easily dry out in the crockpot, especially if you didn't have any added fat.

This is true - were you using a low-fat dressing? Because what you describe is exactly how I do my chicken breasts in the crock pot, including throwing them in frozen, and it's never failed me. I stay away from lowfat and no-fat dressings generally speaking.

[notsocreepylurker]

Jan 21, 2013 10:32:47 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Jan 20, 2013 19:19:33 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

Chicken is lean and can easily dry out in the crockpot, especially if you didn't have any added fat.

This is true - were you using a low-fat dressing? Because what you describe is exactly how I do my chicken breasts in the crock pot, including throwing them in frozen, and it's never failed me. I stay away from lowfat and no-fat dressings generally speaking.


It was a lite dressing so it did have some fat but wasn't full fat.

[Deleted]

Ya I had a recipe for Italian chicken inthe crock pot. I just did it in a baking dish on 425 for 45m and it was amazing.

chicken breast, mushrooms, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste and this Italian herb mix i Found. its AMAZING.

I have made chicken breasts in the crock pot before and its good. but I don't do more than 4 hours on low.

[mrsjuleshs]

Crockpot chicken for tacos is really good. 4 frozen chicken breasts, a can of rotel including the juice, like 1/3 cup of water, taco seasoning and 1 Tbsp of oil (optional). Low int he crockpot for 4-6 hours. Take out, shred chicken, and return to crock pot for 30 mins. I have left it in longer and it was totally fine.