The slow cooker has definitely made life easier for a lot of people. This is mainly because it has the option of cooking meat slowly for a number of hours. So if you are someone with a busy schedule you can always put your meat in a slow cooker and then let it cook whilst you also do your thing. Below we are going to be discussing about cooking raw chicken in a slow cooker.
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Cooking Raw Chicken In A Slow Cooker
Whilst many recipes on the internet recommend browning the chicken first before placing it in the slow cooker. You need to understand that browning the chicken first gives it a fast start to the cooking process and if you are not careful, there is a chance that you will overcook your chicken. You also need to remember that chicken is different from other types of meat like beef because it tends to cook faster. So if you are going to be cooking chicken in the slow cooker, its best that you place it whilst it’s still raw.
How Long It Takes To Cook Raw Chicken In A Slow Cooker
Unlike other types of meat like beef, raw chicken does not need to be cooked in the slow cooker for the whole day. However, since raw chicken is made up of different portions like the breast or the thighs, these meats have different cooking times because of their differences in texture. Below is an estimation of how much time these different portions of raw chicken will need in order to cook in the slow cooker.
- Boneless meat and skinless chicken breast usually require 1 to 2 hours on low heat.
- Bone-on split chicken breast usual requires 2 to 3 hours.
- Chicken thighs require 3 to 4 hours.
However, it is important to note that these times are just estimated and they can vary depending on the amount of raw chicken pieces you are cooking, the size of the chicken pieces and the temperature of the slow cooker.
Tips For Cooking Raw Chicken In Slow Cooker
- Avoid putting a full chicken without cutting it into a slow cooker. This is because there is a chance that the raw chicken won’t cook evenly.
- Always thaw your chicken before cooking it. This is because, placing it whilst frozen can prevent it from cooking evenly.
- Always cook your chicken until it has an internal temperature of 165F.
- Always cook your raw chicken on low heat. If you cook it on high heat there is a risk that it will dry out.
- Always season your chicken when cooking it in a slow cooker. This helps to ensure that once it is ready, it would have absorbed most of the flavors.
- Always ensure that your slow cooker is ½ full or ¾ full, if you fill it with chicken right up to the top, there is a chance that the chicken will be tough, dry and rubbery.
- Remove the skin from your chicken when slow cooking. This is because it tends to turn rubbery, flabby and unappealing during the cooking process. If you want crispy chicken skin that means you are better off roasting or frying your chicken instead of using a slow cooker.
Advantages Of Cooking Raw Chicken In Slow Cooker
- There is no need for you to babysit the raw chick as it cooks. This is because the slow cooker gives you the option to insert all your ingredients at once and then it does everything for you at a slow rate whilst you do other tasks.
- The chicken gets enough time to absorb all the flavors added to it.
- It is an easy kitchen appliance to use.
- Chicken cooked in a slow cooker is usually healthier.
Disadvantages Of Cooking Raw Chicken In Slow Cooker
- Raw chicken is cooked at a slow rate which can be a problem if you are in a hurry.
- There is a chance that the chicken can get overcooked if left for a long period of time.
Other Methods To Use When Cooking Raw Chicken
Depending on how you want the final product to look like, there are many methods you can use to cook raw chicken. For starters you can use the stove to either make fried chicken or stewed chicken. You can also use the oven to make roasted, baked or even chicken casserole. The toaster oven is also another option. It is worth highlighting that you can never use the microwave to cook raw chicken. This is because, it usually dries out chicken forcing it to lose most of its juicy flavor.
Is It Better To Cook Meat On High Or Low In A Slow Cooker?
It is better to cook meat on low heat in a slow cooker rather on high heat. This is because low heat enables the meat to cook evenly. Furthermore, it prevents the meat from becoming rubbery or dry. So if you have a slow cooker and are planning on cooking meat, its best that you use the low heat setting.
Can You Cook Chicken In Slow Cooker Without Browning It First?
Yes, you can definitely cook chicken in slow cooker without browning it first. However, you will need to add a few more hours to the cooking time of your chicken. This is because browning the chicken is done to give the chicken a fast start to the cooking process, so since you wouldn’t have done that you need to cook it for longer. When you are certain that your chicken is ready use a thermometer to check its internal temperature, it should read 165F.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Raw Chicken In A Slow Cooker?
It depends on the type of raw chicken you are cooking in the slow cooker. If you are cooking boneless chicken breasts then it can take 2 hours. If you are cooking chicken thighs they can take up to 4 hours in a slow cooker.
Conclusion
Cooking raw chicken is an easy task. However, there are some pros and cons associated with this method. So always think things through before deciding to use the slow cooker to cook raw chicken.
