High-Protein Crockpot Chicken
Per serving (about 5 oz shredded)
How I calculate this → Calculate your protein target →
This is deliberately plain: a light spice rub, a little broth, and enough time in the slow cooker for the chicken to shred easily with two forks. I keep it simple on purpose, since the whole point is a base protein you can carry into a dozen different meals through the week, tacos one night, a grain bowl the next, tossed into a salad after that, rather than a dish that's only good eaten exactly one way.
Why you'll love this
- 52g of protein per serving, the highest of any recipe on the site so far
- Mostly hands-off, a base for a dozen different meals through the week
- Makes 4 generous servings for meal prep
Recipe
High-Protein Crockpot Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Place in the slow cooker and pour the broth and lemon juice around the chicken, not over the rub.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken shreds easily with a fork.
- Remove the chicken, shred with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker to soak up the juices before serving.
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Notes
- I keep the seasoning simple on purpose. This is meant as a base to carry into other meals through the week, not a dish that only works eaten one specific way.
- I pour the liquid around the chicken, not over the seasoned top, so the spice rub stays where it is instead of washing off into the pot.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 311 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 52g |
| Carbs | 1g |
| Fat | 9g |
| Fiber | 0g |
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Store it in some of its own cooking liquid to keep it from drying out in the fridge.
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes. Thighs stay juicy even with a slightly longer cook time and shred just as easily, though they carry a bit more fat than breast.
What do I do with a batch of this?
Tacos, grain bowls, tossed into a salad, or stirred into soup all work well. It’s built to be a base protein for whatever you’re making that day, not a single finished dish.
Can I cook this on high instead?
Yes, about 2 to 2.5 hours on high instead of 4 on low. Low and slow gives slightly more even results, but high works if you’re short on time.
Looking for more slow cooker meal-prep options: the meal prep bowls build this same idea into a complete, portioned meal.