Its such a pleasure to come home after a days work and know that a warm, appetizing meal is waiting for you. Slow-cooker chicken tenders are a nutritious main dish that only require a little preparation.
One way of making Crock-Pot chicken tenderloins is to wrap them in corn husks, add broth and cook on low for four to six hours.
Cooking chicken breast tenderloins in a crock pot is a fantastic way to end up with tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken every time. The slow cooker’s low and gentle heat perfectly breaks down the chicken over several hours, yielding incredibly moist meat that practically falls off the bone.
But to achieve the best results it’s important to know how long to cook chicken tenderloins in the crock pot. Undercook them and you’ll end up with tough chewy chicken. Cook them too long and you risk drying them out. Follow this guide for tips on cook times, preparation, seasoning, and more to master cooking foolproof crock pot chicken breast tenderloins.
Factors That Affect Crock Pot Chicken Tenderloin Cook Times
Several key factors impact how long it takes to cook chicken tenderloins in the crock pot:
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Size of the tenderloins – Smaller tenderloins will cook faster than larger, thicker ones. Aim for similarly sized tenderloins for even cooking.
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Amount being cooked – The more chicken you add to the crock pot, the longer the cook time since it takes longer for the heat to penetrate multiple layers. Don’t overcrowd.
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Bone vs boneless – Boneless tenderloins will cook faster than bone-in. Plan for a shorter cook time if using boneless.
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Type of crock pot: Some crock pots get hotter than others Get to know your appliance to customize cook times accordingly.
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Frozen vs. thawed: It takes a lot longer to cook through frozen chicken. Thaw first for a shorter cook time.
Recommended Crock Pot Chicken Tenderloin Cook Times
Here are the typical cook times to aim for when cooking chicken breast tenderloins in a crock pot:
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1-2 pounds of boneless, thawed tenderloins
- Low heat: 4-6 hours
- High heat: 2-3 hours
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1-2 pounds of bone-in, thawed tenderloins
- Low heat: 6-8 hours
- High heat: 3-4 hours
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1-2 pounds of boneless, frozen tenderloins
- Low heat: 6-8 hours
- High heat: 4-5 hours
These times are simply guidelines. Always check the chicken with a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached 165°F, which is a safe internal temperature.
If unsure, start checking about 30 minutes before the recommended time and continue cooking if needed until fully cooked through.
Step-by-Step Guide for Cooking Chicken Tenderloins in a Crock Pot
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked crock pot chicken breast tenderloins every time:
1. Prepare the Chicken Tenderloins
- Rinse tenderloins under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Trim off any excess fat or connective tissue.
- Lightly season all over with salt, pepper, and other spices or herbs (optional).
2. Add Flavorful Liquid
- Chicken broth, beer, wine, or water. Enough to mostly cover tenderloins.
- Can also use marinades, salsa, barbecue sauce, etc.
3. Arrange Tenderloins in Crock Pot
- Place in an even layer on the bottom of the crock pot.
- Don’t overcrowd them.
4. Cook on Low Heat
- For bone-in, thawed tenderloins, cook 6-8 hours on low.
- For boneless, thawed tenderloins, cook 4-6 hours on low.
- Adjust time as needed based on size of tenderloins.
5. Use a Meat Thermometer to Check Doneness
- Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F internally.
6. Let Rest, Shred, and Serve
- Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before shredding with forks.
- Mix in any accumulated juices from crock pot.
- Serve on sandwiches, in tacos, over rice, etc. Enjoy!
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Take your crock pot chicken tenderloins from bland to bold with these useful tips:
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Marinate overnight – Soak tenderloins in a marinade in the fridge before cooking.
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Brown first – Quickly brown tenderloins in a skillet before crock pot for enhanced flavor.
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Use flavorful liquids – Swap out water for broth, wine, or beer.
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Add aromatics – Onion, garlic, herbs infuse the chicken with flavor.
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Use a rub – Coat with Cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning, or other dry rubs.
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Garnish with citrus – A squeeze of lemon or lime juice brightens up the flavor.
Common Questions
How long does it take to cook frozen chicken tenderloins in a crock pot?
If you start with frozen chicken tenderloins, set the timer for 6 to 8 hours on low. Chicken should always be thawed in the fridge, never at room temperature.
Can you overcook chicken tenderloins in a crock pot?
Yes, it’s possible to overcook crock pot chicken if left for too long. This results in dry, stringy meat. Use a meat thermometer and don’t exceed the recommended cook times.
Do you need liquid when cooking chicken tenderloins in a crock pot?
Some liquid is recommended to steam and add moisture. Use broth, water, wine, etc. The tenderloins should be mostly submerged.
What temperature should chicken tenderloins reach in a crock pot?
Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If undercooked, harmful bacteria could remain.
Can you cook frozen chicken tenderloins in a crock pot?
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken tenderloins in a crock pot but it will take significantly longer. Thaw them first in the fridge for better results.
Satisfying and Simple Crock Pot Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
These easy chicken tenderloin recipes are sure to please:
BBQ Chicken Tenderloins
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- Salt and pepper
Combine barbecue sauce, onion, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in crock pot. Add tenderloins and cook 4-6 hours on low until 165°F.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Tenderloins
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Whisk lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour over tenderloins in crock pot. Cook 4-6 hours on low until 165°F.
Chicken Fajita Tenderloins
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 cup salsa
Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours until chicken reaches 165°F. Shred and serve in tortillas.
The Secret to Perfectly Cooked Crock Pot Chicken
Cooking chicken breast tenderloins in the crock pot consistently yields incredibly tender, juicy, and delicious meat when you follow a few simple guidelines.
Be mindful of portion size, thoroughly thaw frozen chicken, and respect the recommended cook times for your specific crock pot model. While crock pots provide convenience, they still require monitoring and caution just like traditional cooking methods.
Use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken every time. And don’t be afraid to incorporate bold flavors using marinades, rubs, and aromatics.
With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the tools needed to master cooking chicken breast tenderloins in the crock pot. So grab your slow cooker and get ready to enjoy this simple, satisfying meal any night of the week!
Chicken Tenderloins in Crock-Pot
Chef Thomas Odermatt of Butchers by Roli Roti shares his method of making slow-cooker chicken tenders with LIVESTRONG. com. “Cooking your chicken in corn husks will give it a nice natural crunch of corn flavor, and the bone broth will add extra flavor and nutrients,” he says. This recipe lets the flavors develop for hours without having to worry about drying out the chicken or burning the husks.
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Odermatt says, “These chicken tenderloins are flavorful without being too strong. You can eat them by themselves or with a simple sauce or gravy.” They make a good accompaniment for vegetables or grains.
- 2 pounds of boneless and skinless chicken tenderloins
- Salt and pepper
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Two to four dried corn husks
- 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock or bone broth
Directions:
- Salt and pepper the chicken tenderloins, and if you want them even spicier, add cayenne.
- Put one chicken tenderloin inside each corn husk. Each one should have butcher’s twine tied around it every inch, all the way down the husk, until the tenderloin is snug inside the husk.
- Put the husks in the slow cooker and add the chicken broth after making sure they are tightly sealed.
- The chicken should be fully cooked after two to three hours on high or four to six hours on low. Cover the slow cooker and cook it.
- It’s time to take the chicken and husks out of the slow cooker. Carefully take the tenderloins out of the husks.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts may be used instead of chicken tenderloins or tenders. This can change the nutrition profile slightly.