Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Sweet cranberry and tangy BBQ sauce give plain chicken breasts a sweet & savory spin that’s hard to resist! Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken is a crockpot win!

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken is the easiest crock pot recipe! If your holiday dinner table is anything like ours, I’m sure you end up with a ton of leftovers. You may be wondering how to use up any leftover cranberry sauce.

Well, let me tell you – this is it! All you need is three ingredients and your trusted slow cooker to make this simple and flavorful dinner!

SLOW COOKER CRANBERRY CHICKEN
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Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Your favorite BBQ sauce
• Cranberry sauce

You read that right! Only three simple ingredients is all it takes to make this slow cooker chicken. You’ll need about 28 ounces of cranberry sauce or two 14-ounce cans. I recommend using a sauce with whole cranberries for the best results and an incredible flavor! 

How to Make Cranberry Chicken

This is truly the easiest crockpot chicken breast recipe! It hardly takes any effort to prepare. Here’s what to do:

1. Spread cranberry sauce in the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Place chicken breasts over the cranberry sauce.
3. Pour the bbq sauce over the chicken, then place the lid on your slow cooker.
4. Set the temperature to your desired setting (LOW or HIGH), and forget it!

How Long to Cook Chicken Breast in Crock Pot

Cooking chicken is always a bit of a science. Even in your slow cooker, it’s possible to undercook or overcook the chicken. The last thing you want is chicken that is raw or way too dry. Follow these guidelines to make perfectly cooked crock pot chicken dishes every time:

If your slow cooker is set to High: Cook for 2 to 3 hours

If your slow cooker is set to Low: Cook for 4 to 5 hours

There are so many different types of slow cookers out there! You can even find digital and programmable slow cookers that will automatically switch to warm after cooking is done. These models are perfect for times when you need to keep food warm for a crowd!

How do you know when chicken breasts are done?

The easiest and safest way to know when chicken breasts are done cooking is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the tip of the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast. It should register a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F before serving.

You can use either an analog or digital thermometer – just make sure it’s calibrated properly so that its readings are accurate.

What if I don’t have a meat thermometer?

If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can still check that the chicken is done with these steps.

• Pierce the thickest part of the chicken breast with a skewer, fork, or sharp knife to let the juices run out. If the juices are clear, the chicken is done cooking. If they’re still a little pink, let the chicken cook for a little longer.
• Cut into the thickest part of the chicken breast to check the color of the meat. The meat in the center should be white, with no pink tint remaining.

Try these other amazing leftover cranberry recipes!

• Cranberry Glazed Ham
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
• Cranberry Brie Cups
• Crockpot Cranberry Sriracha Lil Smokies
• Cranberry Goat Cheese Bites
• More CRANBERRY recipes…

Tools used to make this Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken recipe

Slow Cooker: You will love this programmable slow cooker! With a digital timer and three heat settings, you can easily prepare your meal with little effort!

Serving Spoons: Every home cook needs a great set of serving spoons. This buffet-style serving set includes traditional serving spoons and slotted spoons. So you’ll be equipped with the right tools every time you host dinner!

*This post originally posted on 11/04/2015.