Slow cooker question

snookums2013 · October 2013

I used a recipe today that is chicken with stuffing (stovetop mix), cream of chicken soup, sour cream and a little bit of water. It says to just cook it on low for 4 hours. Is it really possible for chicken to cook all the way through on low for 4 hours? Usually when I cook things on low it's usually for 7-8 hours but I also usually have more liquid so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. I set it for 7 hours since I wasn't sure. Also, does the crock pot spread out the cooking over the amount of time you enter or does it cook in the same amount of time no matter what you put on the timer? For example if it was going to take 4 hours, would it take 4 hours no matter if I set the timer for 4 hours or 8 hours? Thanks!

bpphoto785 · October 2013

I would say it's possible, just check and makre sure it's at 165 if you're not sure.

ohioloveyou · October 2013

I always find that if I cook my chicken for a full 8 hours it gets dry..even in tons of liquid. I usually cut the cooking time by 2 hours....so 4 hours on low might work depending on the size of your chicken breasts.

stacey1508 · October 2013

Yes! Chicken gets very dry if it is cooked for more 4-6 hours in a slow-cooker. If you're worried, you can try using a thermometer to make sure it has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Cooking in the crock pot is like cooking in the oven at a low temperature, so it doesn't "spread out" cooking- it just depends on the time it takes for your meal to cook completely. A tough cut of roast might take a lot longer to cook and tenderize compared to some chicken breasts. So that's why you'd cook something for 8 hours versus 4 hours. So if your chicken cooks in 4 hours, setting it for 8 hours will overcook it. If your roast finishes cooking in 8 hours, setting it for 4 will result in it being undercooked. Hope that helps!