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Staring at solid frozen chicken breasts and unsure what to make for dinner? No worries! This frozen chicken crock pot recipe is a lifesaver for busy days. As a mom of three, I’ve relied on it countless times to keep dinner stress-free. For more easy meals, try our healthy Instant Pot chicken, Buffalo chicken crock pot, or creamy chicken with mushrooms and potatoes.

The beauty of this frozen chicken crock pot recipe is its simplicity. Just toss in a few ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let it do the work. In a few hours, you’ll have juicy, tender chicken ready for any meal. For more easy slow cooker recipes, try our Marry Me chicken or chicken tenderloins.

What makes this recipe truly special is that it works with completely frozen chicken – no thawing required! This means you can skip the dreaded “what’s for dinner” panic when you forget to defrost meat ahead of time. Simply grab those frozen chicken breasts and let your crock pot do all the heavy lifting.

What You’ll Love About this Recipe

Ultimate convenience – No thawing needed, just use chicken straight from the freezer
Incredibly versatile – The cooked chicken can be used in endless recipes from tacos to salads
Set-it-and-forget-it simplicity – Perfect for busy weekdays when you don’t have time to monitor cooking

Recipe Ingredients

These simple ingredients transform frozen chicken into a delicious meal foundation:

Frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Butter
Salt
Poultry seasoning
Black pepper

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken breasts: Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts works best for this method. They cook evenly and are easy to shred or slice afterward.
Poultry seasoning: This spice blend typically contains thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary, black pepper, and nutmeg – giving your chicken a classic flavor profile without needing multiple spice jars.
Butter: While optional, a small amount of butter adds richness and helps prevent the chicken from becoming too dry during the long cooking process.

How to Make Frozen Chicken Crock Pot

Making frozen chicken in the crock pot couldn’t be easier! Just follow these simple steps, and check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements.

Step 1: add the frozen chicken breasts, butter, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper to the insert of your Crock-Pot

Step 2: frozen chicken ready cooker in crock pot

Place frozen chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your crock pot
Add butter on top of the chicken (if using)
Sprinkle salt, poultry seasoning, and black pepper evenly over the chicken
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours
Check that chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F
Shred or slice as desired
Use immediately or store for future meals

Save this recipe for later!

Pro Tips

This crock pot recipe becomes foolproof with these simple tricks!

Arrange chicken in a single layer whenever possible for more even cooking
If cooking a large batch, check the temperature of the chicken pieces stacked on top, as they may cook more slowly
For easier shredding, transfer hot chicken to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed for perfectly shredded chicken in seconds
Don’t lift the lid during cooking as this releases heat and extends cooking time
For added flavor, place chicken on a bed of sliced onions before cooking

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Perfect for meal prep!
Freezer: Portion cooked and cooled chicken into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. This creates your own ready-to-use chicken for future recipes.
Reheating: Warm refrigerated chicken in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Additions & Substitutions

Additions:

Add 1 cup of chicken broth for more flavorful, juicy chicken
Toss in a packet of ranch seasoning mix for zesty ranch-flavored chicken
Include sliced onions and minced garlic for deeper flavor development
Add a jar of salsa for instant Mexican-style shredded chicken

Substitutions:

Swap poultry seasoning with Italian seasoning for Mediterranean flavor
Replace butter with olive oil for a dairy-free option
Use frozen chicken thighs instead of breasts for richer, more tender results
Substitute seasoning with your favorite spice blend or dry rub for endless flavor variations

FAQs about this Frozen Chicken

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the crockpot?

Can you cook frozen chicken without thawing first?

Low and slow is generally better for more tender, juicy chicken. However, high setting works well when you’re short on time.

How do you defrost chicken quickly in a crock pot?

Yes! This recipe is specifically designed for cooking chicken directly from frozen, saving you time and hassle.

You don’t need to defrost at all! The crock pot safely cooks chicken from frozen to done – just ensure it reaches 165°F internal temperature.

What Can I Serve with Frozen Chicken?

This versatile chicken crock pot recipe creates a blank canvas for countless meals! Try serving the cooked chicken:

Shredded in tacos, burritos, or enchiladas
Diced in hearty chicken noodle soup
Sliced on top of salads or grain bowls
Stuffed in sandwiches with your favorite toppings
Mixed with BBQ sauce for easy pulled chicken sandwiches
Tossed with pasta and your favorite sauce
Added to casseroles for quick meal prep

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! This recipe is my go-to for a quick dinner fix, and I hope it becomes one of your favorites too. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!