What did I do wrong? Lol

Gaygirl2120
Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
edited November 23 in Food and Nutrition
So I tried using a crock pot for the first time last night. I seasoned my chicken breasts & put them in the crock pot with chicken stock & set it to low. I thought I would wake up to beautiful tender chicken. But I woke up to nasty mush pretty much. Any tips for the next time I attempt crock pot chicken?

Replies

  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    edited December 2017
    x21vlz67n1tc.jpeg
    This is what I woke up to
  • Dakhar1
    Dakhar1 Posts: 27 Member
    Maybe to much liquid and left for to long
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  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I don't have a crock pot, and have no idea... But, eww! I think that would put me off food for a while - it kind of looks like a bad food science experiment
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  • dadsafrantic
    dadsafrantic Posts: 186 Member
    chicken breast is not great for crock pots. too tender and lean for slow cooking. slow cooking breaks down tough muscle tissue which overcooks the chicken. maybe buy a stewing chicken next time. maybe try a recipe next time too.
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    Well I’ll be doing grilled chicken breast today lol! I’ll try the crock pot again when I have more time to experiment. Thanks for the advice everyone!
  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    Go in with a recipe. There are tons of recipes for all sorts of things, you can probably find some really good chicken ones to give it another go. My favourite to do in the crock pot right now is a cheesy potato soup, still have to try this lasagna recipe I've got too.
  • p1xelate
    p1xelate Posts: 141 Member
    when I cook chicken in the crock pot I do it for 4 hours on low. I would think overnight would be too long for chicken even on low.
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    p1xelate wrote: »
    when I cook chicken in the crock pot I do it for 4 hours on low. I would think overnight would be too long for chicken even on low.

    I’ll definitely try that next time!
  • KarenSmith2018
    KarenSmith2018 Posts: 302 Member
    i've cooked chicken in a curry before for about 8 hours on low in a crook pot and its been ok. It makes great shredded chicken too. I have never tried it outside a sauce though
  • dsboohead
    dsboohead Posts: 1,899 Member
    Chicken breasts probably only need 4 hours.
  • Sumiblue
    Sumiblue Posts: 1,597 Member
    Too long. Dry beans would be better for overnight cooking. I make lots of chicken chili recipes in the crock. I cut them up before adding them and other ingredients to the slow cooker. It only takes about 4 hours.
    For whole chicken pieces, chicken thighs and chicken on the bone turn out great. My slow cooker has a temperature probe and turns off automatically when set internal temp is reached.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,641 Member
    Jax2120 wrote: »
    So I tried using a crock pot for the first time last night. I seasoned my chicken breasts & put them in the crock pot with chicken stock & set it to low. I thought I would wake up to beautiful tender chicken. But I woke up to nasty mush pretty much. Any tips for the next time I attempt crock pot chicken?

    Did you not cook the chicken first?
  • whitpauly
    whitpauly Posts: 1,483 Member
    I usually just do chicken in the crock pot if I'm gonna shred it
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  • kelly_stevens81
    kelly_stevens81 Posts: 79 Member
    edited December 2017
    That chicken looks fine for the crock pot, as long as it is done in the center you will be fine eating it. Some of what is on the top is just scum and you will get that cooking some meats with liquid. As some people said you probably cooked that chicken too long as well, probably about 4 hours on low is all you need for a breast. I cook whole chickens without liquid in my crock pot for 6-8 hours, take them out, strip the meat and put everything that isn't meat back in with a bunch of water for another 6-8 hours for delicious homemade chicken broth (you have to strain everything out at the end with a colander). Until you get your times down you may want to experiment with your meats using a thermometer and see how long it takes the chicken to get to 165 probably about 3-4 hours. After you see where it hits temperature check the meat for tenderness and adjust accordingly.
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,744 Member
    I'm not sure what you did but chicken in the crock pot is the ONLY thing I can cook. I just stick a boneless skinless breast in the crock pot, add enough water so it's not drowning, and sprinkle on some seasoning. Then I cook it on high for 3 1/2 hours or 6- 8 on low and it comes out tender and very shreddable.
  • saraonly9913
    saraonly9913 Posts: 469 Member
    whitpauly wrote: »
    I usually just do chicken in the crock pot if I'm gonna shred it

    I agree. Slow cookers are great for shredded chicken.
  • GlorianasTears
    GlorianasTears Posts: 212 Member
    You should take a break from the crock pot sis lol
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    GlorianasTears wrote: »
    You should take a break from the crock pot sis lol

    It was my first time. So it’s trial & error. I’ll get it right one day.
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    joaniee2003 wrote: »
    whitpauly wrote: »
    I usually just do chicken in the crock pot if I'm gonna shred it

    I agree. Slow cookers are great for shredded chicken.

    That’s what I was planning
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    I don't put any liquid in with my chicken breasts. Some salt and pepper and then I cook on low for at least 6 hours.

    They shred very nicely then!

    I often make a crock pot meal when I'm home the first few times - then I can check on it throughout the day and see how it's doing. Once I've got the timing sorted out, then I'll cook it when I'm sleeping or gone at work.

    You can do this :)

    ~Lyssa
  • nopainnogainmama
    nopainnogainmama Posts: 4 Member
    I do this often for shredded chicken!
    I never add liquid at all just the chicken itself, turns out juicy and good!
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    edited December 2017
    How much liquid did you add to how much chicken and how long did you cook it?
    https://oureverydaylife.com/tips-cooking-chicken-breast-crockpot-24646.html
    Have you ever boiled chicken or are you used to baked/grilled chicken only? Boiled chicken is going to seem mushier tgan grilled chicken.
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    Lounmoun wrote: »
    How much liquid did you add to how much chicken and how long did you cook it?
    https://oureverydaylife.com/tips-cooking-chicken-breast-crockpot-24646.html
    Have you ever boiled chicken or are you used to baked/grilled chicken only? Boiled chicken is going to seem mushier tgan grilled chicken.

    I've boiled chicken before & it has cone out good. This time it literally turned to mush. I think I just had too much liquid in there & cooked it for way to long.
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    nopainnogainmama wrote: »
    I do this often for shredded chicken!
    I never add liquid at all just the chicken itself, turns out juicy and good!

    I'll definitely try it without any liquid next time.
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    macgurlnet wrote: »
    I don't put any liquid in with my chicken breasts. Some salt and pepper and then I cook on low for at least 6 hours.

    They shred very nicely then!

    I often make a crock pot meal when I'm home the first few times - then I can check on it throughout the day and see how it's doing. Once I've got the timing sorted out, then I'll cook it when I'm sleeping or gone at work.

    You can do this :)

    ~Lyssa

    Great tips, thank you :smile:
  • Gaygirl2120
    Gaygirl2120 Posts: 541 Member
    kelly_stevens81 wrote: »
    That chicken looks fine for the crock pot, as long as it is done in the center you will be fine eating it. Some of what is on the top is just scum and you will get that cooking some meats with liquid. As some people said you probably cooked that chicken too long as well, probably about 4 hours on low is all you need for a breast. I cook whole chickens without liquid in my crock pot for 6-8 hours, take them out, strip the meat and put everything that isn't meat back in with a bunch of water for another 6-8 hours for delicious homemade chicken broth (you have to strain everything out at the end with a colander). Until you get your times down you may want to experiment with your meats using a thermometer and see how long it takes the chicken to get to 165 probably about 3-4 hours. After you see where it hits temperature check the meat for tenderness and adjust accordingly.

    Thanks for the tips! I just cooked it for way too long with way too much liquid. But thanks to all the great advice here I think my next go will turn out great :smile:
  • WilmaValley
    WilmaValley Posts: 1,092 Member
    Great ideas and tips, really informative!!!!
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