Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders

Making chicken tenders in the crock pot is the easiest way to create delicious meals for your family! There’s just something about this slow-cooked juicy chicken that everyone loves. But if you’re wondering how long to cook chicken tenders in crock pot, then you’ve come to the right place! 

Chicken tenders make the perfect base for various dishes, including salads, tacos, and sandwiches. And the best part is that you can cook them in your crock pot! This means you can prep the ingredients and then let your crock pot do all the work. 

All you have to do is turn it on and wait for a delicious, tender chicken dinner! 

My crockpot chicken tender recipe is also perfect for weekly meal prep. You can cook a big batch of chicken tenders and store them in the fridge or freezer for quick and easy meals during the week. Who doesn’t love getting multiple meals from one recipe?!

How Long To Cook Chicken Tenders in Crock Pot

The cook time for chicken tenders in a crock pot will vary depending on the size and thickness of your meat. 

Generally, it takes around 6 hours on low heat or 3 hours on the high setting. If you’re using frozen chicken tenders, they will take a bit longer, so be sure to adjust your cooking time accordingly. 

The total amount of chicken tenders will also make a difference in cooking time. My crock pot recipe is enough to feed 6 adults. If you’re cooking for a smaller or larger group, then you’ll need to amend the total cooking time.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders

• Easy recipe! I haven’t overcomplicated this recipe for a reason. There really isn’t anything easier than tossing all your ingredients in the crock pot and letting it go to work. The results make the perfect base for so many quick and easy meals.
• Great for the entire family. Chicken tenders are a classic meal for busy weeknights that everyone will enjoy. Kids love them, too! Mix and match the seasonings to suit everyone’s tastes. 
• Delicious and nutritious. Not only are slow cooker chicken tenders delicious but they’re also packed with protein and other essential nutrients. Chicken tenderloins are also one of the more cost-effective meat cuts, making them a great budget-friendly option!

Ingredients for Crock Pot Chicken Tenders

• Chicken tenders
• Water
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Tenders in the Slow Cooker

1. Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of your crockpot in a single layer.
2. Pour all the water over the chicken tenders.
3. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning over the chicken. 
4. Cook for 6 hours on the low setting or 3 hours on high.

What Are Chicken Tenders?

Chicken tenders are located on either side of the breastbone and is one of the most tender cuts on a chicken. That’s why they’re called ‘tenders’! 

Chicken tenderloin pieces are the perfect cut of chicken for slow cooking. They’re thin strips of boneless, skinless chicken that cook quickly and evenly in the crock pot. 

Chicken strips are a great source of lean protein and provide essential vitamins and minerals. They are also low in fat, making them an ideal option for a healthy diet. And with my chicken tenders recipe, they’ll turn out moist and juicy every time!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tender Recipe Variations

This recipe is the best way to cook chicken for most dishes, but you can switch things up with a few easy variations.

• Add a sauce: Make your own marinade or use your favorite store-bought sauce to jazz up the flavor of the chicken. Barbecue sauce or soy sauce are some yummy options.
• Change the seasoning: Spice up your chicken tenders by switching out the Italian seasoning for garlic powder, taco seasoning, onion powder, or chili powder.
• Add some vegetables: Throw some diced bell peppers, green chilies, or carrots into the crock pot for a complete meal!
• Mix in some freshness: For a fresh take on this dish, add some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or basil after the chicken is cooked. Lemon juice also adds a nice zesty flavor and can further tenderize the chicken.
• Try a different cut: Even though this recipe calls for chicken tenders, you can also use boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs.
• Use a broth: Instead of water, try using a little broth for added flavor! Vegetable or chicken broth are great choices.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Tenders

Now that you know how to cook chicken tenders in the crock pot, let’s get to the fun part – serving them up! 

Chicken tenders are incredibly versatile and can be used in many slow cooker chicken recipes. Here are some of my favorite recipes to add you slow-cooked chicken tenders to: 

• Add them to chicken pasta casserole
• Create chicken tacos with the shredded chicken and all your favorite toppings
• Serve your chicken tenders on top of a salad for a protein-packed lunch
• Make chicken risotto
• Whip up some creamy chicken and dumplings or crockpot chicken pot pie
• Make chicken tenders sandwiches by adding them to a burger bun
• Turn them into crispy buffalo chicken tenders by coating them in breadcrumbs and baking in the oven
• Create a delicious wrap filled with cranberry chicken salad
• Make a chicken tenders stir fry
• Serve up some delicious chicken teriyaki bowls with cooked white rice