Cooking chicken in a slow cooker for 10 hours is generally not recommended, especially if you are using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Prolonged cooking times can lead to overcooking, which may result in dry and rubbery chicken.
For most chicken recipes in a slow cooker, the recommended cooking times are as follows:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: 2.5 to 4 hours on low or 1.5 to 2.5 hours on high.
- Bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, etc.): 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high.
If you plan to cook chicken in a slow cooker for an extended period, it's best to use bone-in chicken pieces or whole chicken, as they are less likely to dry out. However, even with bone-in chicken, 10 hours is still an excessive cooking time and may negatively affect the texture and taste of the meat.
To ensure the chicken remains tender and juicy, it's essential to monitor the cooking time and adjust it based on the specific recipe and the size of the chicken pieces. If you need to leave the slow cooker unattended for an extended period, consider using a programmable slow cooker with a timer, so it switches to a "warm" setting after the cooking time is complete. This way, the chicken will stay warm without overcooking.
If you require a long cooking time for your chicken recipe, you can also try using a slow cooker with a built-in timer that automatically switches to a "warm" setting after a certain amount of time. This can help prevent overcooking while keeping the chicken at a safe temperature until you're ready to eat. Always ensure that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming.