Ingredients
Oven-Baked Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Slow Cooker Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it's hot when the chicken is ready to go in.
- Season the Chicken (Oven Method): Lightly drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Then sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly over both sides to impart flavor.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake the chicken breasts for 20-25 minutes, depending on their thickness. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest and Shred: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This helps juices redistribute. Afterwards, shred or chop the chicken to use in your recipes.
- Prepare Chicken for Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then pour chicken broth around the chicken to keep it moist.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Shred the Slow Cooker Chicken: Allow the chicken to cool slightly before shredding or chopping it for your dishes.
- Optional Tip for Even Cooking: For oven-baked chicken, if breasts are very thick, pound them to an even thickness before cooking. This ensures even cooking and juicier results.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken is cooked to a safe temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Pounding thick chicken breasts to an even thickness helps them cook more evenly and retain moisture.
- Shredded chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; feel free to add herbs or spices like paprika, cumin, or onion powder for variety.
- Chicken broth in the slow cooker keeps the meat moist and adds subtle flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes (Oven), 3-4 hours (Slow Cooker)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat