Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders – Easy, Juicy & Tender

If you want an easy dinner that requires very little hands-on cooking, Slow Cooker Chicken is a great option. These chicken tenders are seasoned with garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, and lemon, then gently cooked in chicken broth until tender and juicy.

This recipe is especially useful on busy weeknights because the preparation takes only a few minutes. Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a simple family meal.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy preparation: The chicken and seasonings go straight into the slow cooker with minimal prep.
• Tender texture: A gentle cooking method helps keep the chicken moist when it reaches the proper internal temperature.
• Simple ingredients: Pantry-friendly seasonings add plenty of flavor without requiring a complicated marinade.
• Versatile: Use the cooked chicken in bowls, wraps, salads, sandwiches, or alongside your favorite side dishes.
• Weeknight-friendly: Once everything is in the slow cooker, the cooking process requires very little attention.
• Bright, savory flavor: Garlic, paprika, herbs, and lemon complement the mild flavor of chicken tenderloins.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken tenderloins: Chicken breast tenderloins are naturally lean and cook relatively quickly, making them a convenient choice for this slow cooker recipe.

Chicken broth: A small amount of broth creates moisture in the cooking environment and gives the chicken a savory flavor.

Olive oil: Olive oil adds richness and helps the seasonings coat the chicken evenly.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a stronger, more aromatic flavor than dried garlic.

Paprika: Paprika adds mild warmth and a beautiful color to the chicken without making it spicy.

Onion powder and Italian seasoning: These seasonings build a savory herb flavor with very little effort.

Lemon juice: A little fresh lemon juice adds brightness and balances the savory seasoning.

Salt and black pepper: These simple seasonings bring all the other flavors together.

[INGREDIENT IMAGE]

ALT: Fresh chicken tenderloins with garlic, lemon, paprika, herbs, olive oil, and chicken broth for slow cooking

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders

Start by patting the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick to the surface rather than sliding off. If the tenderloins vary significantly in size, arrange the larger pieces toward the outside of the slow cooker so they cook evenly.

Combine the paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Rub the chicken with olive oil, then coat each tenderloin evenly with the seasoning mixture.

Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the slow cooker and add the minced garlic and lemon juice. Arrange the seasoned chicken tenderloins in the broth in a mostly even layer. Avoid stacking them tightly when possible.

Cover and cook on LOW for about 2 to 3 hours, checking the chicken toward the earlier end of the cooking time because tenderloins are smaller than whole chicken breasts. The exact cooking time depends on the size of the pieces and your slow cooker.

The chicken is ready when the thickest piece reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Once cooked, let the tenderloins rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon some of the flavorful cooking juices over the chicken for extra moisture.

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Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders

Don’t overcook the chicken. Chicken tenderloins are small and lean, so they can become dry if left in the slow cooker much longer than necessary. Begin checking the internal temperature around the 2-hour mark.

Use an instant-read thermometer. The safest and most reliable way to know the chicken is done is to check the thickest tenderloin. It should reach 165°F (74°C).

Keep the seasoning even. Mix the dry seasonings before coating the chicken so every piece receives a balanced amount of paprika, herbs, salt, and pepper.

Don’t add too much liquid. The chicken does not need to be submerged. The small amount of broth provides moisture while allowing the seasoning to remain concentrated.

Let the chicken rest. A few minutes of resting after cooking gives the juices time to redistribute before serving.

Slice against the grain when needed. If you plan to use the chicken in wraps or salads, slicing it against the grain can make the pieces feel more tender.

Variations and Substitutions

For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mixture.

For a more lemon-forward flavor, add a little lemon zest along with the lemon juice.

You can replace the Italian seasoning with a combination of dried oregano and dried parsley if that’s what you have available.

If you prefer a richer flavor, use a little extra olive oil when coating the chicken. Avoid adding large amounts of oil because the chicken already releases some moisture as it cooks.

Boneless, skinless chicken breast can also be used, although the cooking time may be longer because larger pieces take longer to reach 165°F.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders

These chicken tenders are easy to pair with almost any classic side dish. For a comforting dinner, serve them with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans.

For a lighter meal, pair the chicken with a crisp garden salad, roasted broccoli, or other roasted vegetables. Rice, quinoa, or couscous can also soak up the flavorful cooking juices.

The chicken is also useful for meal prep. Slice the tenderloins and add them to grain bowls, wraps, salads, or sandwiches throughout the week.

[SERVING IMAGE]

ALT: Slow cooker chicken tenders served with mashed potatoes, green beans, lemon wedges, and cooking juices

How to Store and Reheat

Allow leftover chicken to cool and place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking and use within 3 to 4 days.

For longer storage, freeze the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to about 3 months for best quality. Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat, place the chicken in a covered skillet or microwave-safe dish with a small spoonful of the reserved cooking juices or chicken broth. Heat until warmed through, taking care not to overcook it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

These Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders are a simple way to turn a handful of everyday ingredients into a flavorful dinner. With a short prep time, gentle cooking, and versatile serving options, this recipe works just as well for a busy weeknight as it does for easy meal prep.