How long to cook chicken in slow cooker on high

There's no reason you shouldn't learn how to cook chicken in a Crock Pot (or any slow cooker, for that matter). For starters, slow-cooker chicken will make your life (and your meal prep) exponentially easier. Plus, it can be just as flavorful as a roast chicken. And tender, delicious chicken can be at home waiting for you when you get home for work, ready to be made into shredded chicken tacos, cheesy enchiladas, chicken salad, stir-fries, soups, curries... should I keep going? Here's how to cook chicken in a Crock Pot—and save your sanity.

Table of Contents Show

How to slow-cook a whole chicken
1. Season chicken
2. Cover and cook
3. Let it rest
How to make shredded (aka "pulled") chicken
1. Season the chicken
2. Nail the ratio
3. Cover and cook
4. Separate chicken from liquid (if using)
5. Shred and enjoy
Can you cook chicken in crockpot on high for 2 hours?
Can you cook chicken in the crockpot on high for 4 hours?
Is it better to slow cook chicken on low or high?
How long does it take for a slow cooker to cook on high?

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson

How to slow-cook a whole chicken

Yep, you can slow cook the whole damn thing in your Crock Pot, so long as the bird fits. The skin won't get crispy like it does in the oven, because the temperature won't get as high and the pot is covered, but it will be deliciously juicy and flavorful. Here's how it's done.

1. Season chicken

Once you've removed the giblet packet from inside of the bird, grab some herbs and spices—maybe some za'atar, lemon zest, harissa, or any other flavor combination that tickles your fancy. Homemade spice blends are your friend, but a good store-bought poultry seasoning will do just fine. A generous dash of sweet paprika is always a good idea, since it'll create a nice golden color that mimics roasting, and don't forget to add about a teaspoon of kosher salt (or a bit more if you like). Rub the mixture all over the outside of the bird and inside the cavity.

2. Cover and cook

Place the bird inside the slow cooker, cover, and turn the appliance on to the "high" setting. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (not touching bone) reads 160°F, around 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

3. Let it rest

Once the bird is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes. Letting it rest will ensure all the juices stay in the meat rather than running out instantly when you carve your bird.

How to make shredded (aka "pulled") chicken

Tender, delicious shredded chicken is an endlessly versatile dinner asset. And you can make it from breasts, drumsticks, or thighs (or a combination!), slow-cooked in the Crock Pot until meltingly tender and shreddable. Here's how it's done.

1. Season the chicken

Again, start by seasoning the chicken pieces (skin-on and bone-in is fine, as is skinless and boneless) thoroughly. Even if you're not going for anything fancy, don't sleep on a couple hearty pinches of salt and pepper—a good bet is 1/4 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper for each pound of chicken. We like to cook 4 pounds of chicken in each batch, so that we have plenty of extra shredded chicken to eat all week long or freeze.

2. Nail the ratio

Adding a bit of broth to your chicken as it simmers helps maximize juiciness and tenderness (especially for boneless, skinless chicken breasts.) Stick to 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth for every pound of chicken you're cooking. Add this in along with the chicken to your slow cooker, along with any aromatics and spices you'd like—peeled and halved onions and garlic and a dash of harissa, perhaps?

3. Cover and cook

Cover and cook until chicken shreds easily when pierced with a fork, about 4 hours on "high" or 6 hours on "low".

4. Separate chicken from liquid (if using)

Remove the cooked chicken from the leftover liquid—then taste the meat and season it with more salt and pepper, if needed. But don't throw away that cooking liquid! Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve and use it for braises and soups.

5. Shred and enjoy

Before you start shredding, pull any skin off the meat, and remove the meat from the bone in large pieces using your fingers (discard the skin and bones). Now you're ready to start shredding! The two-fork method is undoubtedly the easiest way to shred chicken. Use one fork to hold the chicken firmly against your cutting board, and use the other fork to pull off chunks of the chicken.

And you can't say we haven't given you enough recipes to use once you learn how to make slow cooker chicken—look, here are 12 excellent ones!

Get to slow cooking today, and thank yourself all week long.

Can you cook chicken in crockpot on high for 2 hours?

Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or HIGH for 1-2 hours. Bone-in chicken is less likely to dry out than boneless, so you have the flexibility to cook the chicken on high. Based on medium bone-in chicken breast with a weight of 11 ounces. Be sure to add or subtract time if your piece of chicken is smaller or larger.

Can you cook chicken in the crockpot on high for 4 hours?

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F.

Is it better to slow cook chicken on low or high?

The main difference between cooking on low and high in your slow cooker is how long the food will take to reach a simmer. Choose the low setting for long-simmered dishes, like a spicy chili, exotic curry, or tougher cuts of meat. If you want to cook lean meat, chicken, or potatoes, stick to the high setting.

How long does it take for a slow cooker to cook on high?

Crockpots may vary but generally, the LOW setting is about 200 F and the HIGH setting is about 300 F. One hour on HIGH is approximately equal to 2 to 2 1/2 hours on LOW. Most crockpot recipes recommend cooking 8 to 10 hours on LOW. Some recipes recommend the HIGH setting based on the nature and texture of the food.