Slow Cooker Kentucky Hot Brown Chicken Breasts Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

If you find the sauce is slightly too thick after cooking, you can stir in a tablespoon of milk or cream just before serving to adjust the consistency to your preference.

This also helps to emulsify the sauce if it has separated slightly during the longer cooking time.

For a more refined presentation, garnish the finished dish with a fresh sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives.

This adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the Swiss cheese sauce and the saltiness of the bacon.

Variations

• Spicy Hot Brown: Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the Swiss cheese sauce before layering to give the dish a pleasant, warming heat that complements the savory bacon.
• Mushroom and Herb: Sauté a cup of sliced cremini mushrooms with fresh thyme and add them to the layer with the tomatoes. The earthiness of the mushrooms adds a wonderful depth that pairs perfectly with the Swiss cheese sauce.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until the chicken is heated through to 165°F (74°C).

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the chicken and sauce are cooled to room temperature within 2 hours of cooking before placing them in the fridge to maintain food safety and quality.

You can prepare the Swiss cheese sauce up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated.

You can also assemble the chicken and bacon in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 hours before turning the slow cooker on, provided you keep the chicken cold.

Serving ideas

Serve this dish immediately while hot, ideally alongside a piece of crusty bread or a light green salad. The sauce is excellent when soaked up by bread, making it a complete and satisfying meal that requires little else on the plate.

If serving to guests, consider plating each chicken breast individually with a generous spoonful of the sauce and bacon mixture on top.

This ensures that everyone receives an equal amount of the flavorful toppings and creamy sauce, creating a beautiful presentation.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Kentucky Hot Brown Chicken Breasts

Prep 10 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 large tomatoes, sliced
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese sauce, store-bought or made ahead

Instructions

1. Place the raw boneless skinless chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker insert, arranging them in an even layer to ensure consistent cooking.
2. Top the chicken breasts with the tomato slices, followed by the chopped bacon. Sprinkle the paprika evenly over the top of the ingredients.
3. Spoon the creamy Swiss cheese sauce over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker, ensuring it covers the chicken and vegetables thoroughly.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Contains: milk, gluten

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

38.5 g

Carbohydrates

12 g

Fat

24 g

Fiber

1.5 g

Sugar

4 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.