Juicy Overnight Crockpot Chicken Breast: 5-Ingredient Easy Dinner
A stress-free slow cooker recipe where chicken breasts are marinated overnight in lemon, garlic, and olive oil to ensure tender, juicy results with minimal morning effort.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Total Time: 8-12 hours (including overnight marination)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or thyme
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt until emulsified.
- Place chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or glass baking dish.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are fully coated. Seal tightly and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.
- In the morning, pour the chicken and all marinade into a slow cooker. Arrange breasts in a single layer.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6-7 hours, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Turn off the crockpot and let the chicken rest in the pot for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm, spooning the cooking liquid over the top.
Notes
Do not cook frozen chicken directly; thaw in the fridge overnight first. If adding vegetables, add hardy ones like carrots in the last 2 hours and delicate ones like zucchini at the very end. The broth left in the pot is flavorful and can be used for cooking grains.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 37
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, crockpot dinner, overnight marinade, healthy chicken recipe, easy weeknight dinner, gluten-free, dairy-free