Discover the secret to succulent chicken with our foolproof slow-cooker bone-in chicken breast recipe. This “set it and forget it” dish combines ease of use with great flavor. With just a few spices and a few hours of hands-off cooking, you can make a meal that will make everyone want more.
Unlock the secret to mouthwatering chicken with our slow-cooker bone-in chicken breast recipe. This dish takes simple ingredients and turns them into a flavorful meal that’s great for busy families, people who like to prepare meals ahead of time, or anyone who wants a tasty home-cooked meal without all the work.
With five minutes of prep time, you’ll set the stage for a meal that slow-cooks to perfection while you go about your day. Another great thing about our seasoning blend is that it’s easy to change to suit your tastes or try out new flavor combinations.
Cooking bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts can seem intimidating. But with the right technique, it’s easy to achieve tender, juicy meat with crispy, flavorful skin. Here’s a simple guide to cooking perfect chicken breasts every time
Why Cook Bone-In Chicken Breasts?
Bone-in chicken breasts have a few advantages over boneless:
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The bone helps keep the meat moist and juicy during cooking by insulating the inside of the breast
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The skin gets ultra-crispy and adds great texture and flavor.
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Bone-in cuts are often cheaper than boneless
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Many people find the flavor better with the bone-in.
So while boneless chicken breasts are convenient, bone-in truly delivers superior taste and texture.
Picking the Right Chicken
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Choose breasts labeled “split” so one half of the breast is attached to the backbone. Or buy a whole breast and slice it in half yourself.
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Opt for the largest breasts you can find as they’ll have a higher meat to bone ratio.
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Make sure the skin is intact, not torn or missing sections.
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Go for the best quality chicken you can afford. Free-range and organic offer superior flavor.
Prepping Chicken Breasts for Cooking
Proper prep is key for bone-in chicken breasts:
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Cut off extra skin and fat: Cut off any big pieces of fat or loose skin with kitchen shears.
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Pat dry: Dry the chicken breasts very well with paper towels. Extra moisture on the skin will steam instead of crisping.
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Season under the skin. To separate the skin from the meat, slide your fingers between them. Rub seasoning directly onto the meat.
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Add salt to the skin: Sprinkle salt all over the skin. This helps dry out the skin and boosts flavor. Let sit 20-30 minutes.
How to Cook Chicken Breasts for Crispy Skin
A combination cooking method works best:
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Pan-sear: Start by pan-searing the breasts skin-side down to render fat and get crispy skin. Use medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
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Place the chicken breasts on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F until cooked through, about 25-35 minutes.
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An instant-read thermometer should read 165°F at the thickest part. If not using a thermometer, cut into a breast to check doneness. The meat should be white throughout with no pink.
Tips for Extra Crispy Chicken Skin
If the skin isn’t as crispy as you’d like, try these tricks:
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Pat the skin very dry before seasoning. Use paper towels to absorb moisture.
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Let salted chicken breasts air dry in the fridge up to overnight before cooking.
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Start with a hot skillet/oven to quickly render fat and dehydrate the skin.
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Brush skin with oil before baking to enhance browning.
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Broil the chicken for 1-3 minutes at the end to finish crisping the skin. Watch closely to avoid burning.
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Prop up the breasts on the wire rack so air circulates completely around each piece for even crisping.
How to Keep Chicken Breasts Juicy
To prevent dried-out chicken breasts:
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Don’t overcook. Breasts only need to reach 165°F.
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Allow breasts to rest 5 minutes before cutting so juices redistribute.
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Add a brush of oil, butter, or pan juices on top of the baked chicken right when it comes out of the oven. This bastes the meat and keeps it moist.
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Wrap chicken tightly in foil and let sit if it finishes cooking early. The insulation holds in steam and warmth.
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Brining is an option too. Soaking in a saltwater brine seasons the meat and helps it retain moisture.
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Cook at a high enough temperature that the inside cooks through before the outside overcooks. About 400°F is ideal.
Complementary Seasonings and Sauces
Simple salt and pepper is all you need, but other seasonings to consider:
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Herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil
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Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder
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Citrus: lemon, lime, orange zest
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Other: mustard, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki
And flavorful sauces like chimichurri, tomato salsa, or compound butter can be served alongside.
The Perfect Side Dishes
Crispy skin chicken breast pairs well with:
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Roasted vegetables like potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower
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Greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, asparagus
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Grains like rice, quinoa, couscous, pasta
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Fresh salads with vinaigrette dressing
Satisfying Meals to Make with Chicken Breasts
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Chicken tacos or fajitas with peppers and onions
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Chicken Caesar salad with croutons and Parmesan
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Chicken sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, and bacon
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Chicken Parmesan over angel hair pasta
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Chicken pot pie with carrots, peas, and flaky crust
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Chicken fried rice with egg, peas, and soy sauce
With this handy guide, you’ll be able to cook moist, delicious bone-in chicken breasts with an irresistibly crunchy skin every time. Crispy chicken dinners await!
Slow-Cooker Bone-In Chicken Breast Tips
JONATHAN MELENDEZ FOR TASTE OF HOME
Can I put raw chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, slow cookers are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroy bacteria, making slow-cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker too!.
PERFECTLY BAKED BONE IN CHICKEN BREAST
FAQ
How long do you cook chicken breast with bone and skin?
If you’re following a specific recipe, then don’t deviate! Otherwise, follow this general formula: Cook large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 20 to 30 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven. Cook large, bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for 35 to 40 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven.
How do you cook bone-in skin-on breasts?
I rub a little olive oil on the skin and then add the rub. Cut a couple little slits in the skin, and work some of the rub inside. Cook in the oven at 375 for 45 minutes to an hour. I don’t cover it in the oven and it comes out with a great crispy skin that has a ton of flavor.
Is it better to bake bone-in chicken at 350 or 400?
The ideal temperature to roast bone-in chicken breasts is 400oF. However, you can bake chicken in an oven that’s anywhere from 350oF to 425oF. Obviously, cooking time is affected. You’ll have to add time if you’re roasting it at 350oF and subtract time at 425oF. Again, an instant read thermometer is your friend.
How long to boil skin-on bone-in chicken breasts?
Chicken breasts with the skin still on should be cooked for about 30 minutes, or until they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This would mean boiling frozen chicken for about 45 minutes. Skinless, boneless chicken breast halves: cook 12 to 15 minutes. (That means boiling frozen chicken would take 18 to 22 minutes. ).
How do you cook a chicken breast with a bone in?
Roasting the chicken breast with the bone in helps create a more even distribution of heat. Spreading butter under the chicken skin and coating the top with oil ensures it roasts up golden and crisp. When you heat the oven to a high temperature, the chicken breast cooks quickly on the inside, which keeps the rest from drying out.
How do you Grill bone-in skin-on chicken breast?
Grilling bone-in, skin-on chicken breast requires specific techniques to achieve that perfect juicy meat and crispy skin. Here are some key methods to master your grilling experience. Preheating your grill is crucial for getting crispy skin. Aim for a temperature of about 400°F to 450°F.
How do you cook a cooked chicken breast?
Putting butter under the skin of the chicken and oiling the top will make it cook up golden and crisp. When you heat the oven to a high temperature, the chicken breast cooks quickly on the inside, which keeps the rest from drying out. When I hear the words “baked chicken breast,” I can’t say that I’m terribly excited by the sound of it.
How long does it take to cook bone in chicken?
Bone-in chicken breasts will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to bake at 400 degrees. The chicken needs to register 165 degrees F on an internal thermometer, and the juices should run clear when pierced with a knife. The skin should be golden brown and crispy. Can I substitute boneless chicken breasts for bone-in?
How do I get bone-in skin-on breasts?
The other way to get bone-in skin-on breasts is to buy a whole chicken and cut them from there. Here are instructions for how to cut up a whole chicken. This might seem like a lot of extra work, but it’s actually not that time-consuming.
What temperature should a bone in chicken breast be cooked at?
For baked chicken breast bone in, the best oven temperature is between 400°F and 425°F. This range helps the chicken’s outside get golden brown while keeping the inside moist. Don’t cook at too low a temperature, as it can make the chicken soggy and undercooked. To know if your bone in chicken breast is cooked right, use a meat thermometer.