Yes, you can put water in a crockpot to cook chicken, but it's not necessary in most cases. Crockpots, also known as slow cookers, are designed to cook food with gentle, low heat over an extended period. When cooking chicken in a crockpot, you can add a small amount of liquid (water, broth, or other cooking liquids) to help keep the chicken moist and prevent it from drying out.
However, chicken naturally releases its juices as it cooks, especially when using a slow cooker. This means that you can cook chicken without adding any extra water or liquid and still end up with a juicy and tender result.
If you prefer to add some liquid to your crockpot chicken, you can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even a mixture of water and your favorite seasonings to enhance the flavor. Just keep in mind that the chicken will release its own juices, so you don't need to add too much liquid.
Additionally, you can layer some vegetables or other ingredients at the bottom of the crockpot to elevate the chicken slightly and prevent it from sitting directly in the liquid during cooking, which can lead to a better texture.