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Tender Never-Dry Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipe with Easy Garlic Herb Gravy

tender never-dry crockpot chicken breast - featured image

This crockpot chicken breast recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken every time, topped with a rich and silky garlic herb gravy. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prep with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (fresh or thawed)
  • 45 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (can substitute cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (480 ml), low sodium preferred
  • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and onion powder. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly brown chicken breasts for 1-2 minutes per side. (Optional, 5-7 minutes)
  3. Place chicken breasts flat in the crockpot insert, leaving space between pieces. (2 minutes)
  4. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux without browning.
  5. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add fresh herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently, whisking often, until gravy thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes). Taste and adjust seasoning. (15 minutes)
  6. Pour the garlic herb gravy evenly over the chicken breasts in the crockpot. Cover with lid. (2 minutes)
  7. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Check after 3 hours to avoid overcooking. (3-4 hours)
  8. Remove chicken and keep warm. Stir gravy and adjust seasoning if needed. If too thick, whisk in a splash of broth or water. (5 minutes)
  9. Serve chicken breasts topped with garlic herb gravy immediately.

Notes

For best results, use thawed chicken breasts and avoid opening the crockpot lid frequently to maintain heat. Optional searing adds flavor but is not required. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch. For dairy-free gravy, use dairy-free margarine or olive oil instead of butter and a gluten-free thickener. Check internal temperature to avoid overcooking. Leftovers store well refrigerated for 3-4 days; reheat gently with added broth if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken breast, slow cooker chicken, garlic herb gravy, tender chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, juicy chicken