Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken is the ultimate weeknight meal solution, offering a quick, hands-off approach to a flavorful and tender chicken dish that’s both comforting and incredibly easy to prepare. This recipe cuts down on kitchen time while delivering restaurant-quality taste, making it a go-to for busy home cooks.
Key Ingredients for Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken:
- 1.5 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2-3 lemons)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon slices (for garnish, optional)
How to Make Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken:
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken is a dream for busy weeknights, delivering incredibly tender and flavorful chicken with minimal effort. Just a few minutes of prep time results in a wonderfully satisfying meal, enveloped in a light, zesty, and aromatic lemon herb sauce that will have you coming back for more.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps in achieving a better sear if you choose to sear them first (optional, but recommended for added flavor and color). Place the chicken in the slow cooker insert.
- Create the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour the lemon herb mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Ensure each piece of chicken is well-coated.
- Add Liquid: Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker, around the chicken. This will create the flavorful sauce.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and can be easily shredded or cut with a fork. Cooking time will vary slightly depending on your slow cooker.
- Shred or Slice: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. You can either shred it using two forks for a pull-apart style chicken, or slice it into serving portions.
- Reduce Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, carefully drain the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until it has reduced to your desired consistency. You can also whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water to thicken it quickly.
- Serve: Return the shredded or sliced chicken to the slow cooker and toss it with the sauce, or spoon the reduced sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired. Serve hot.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken:
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken is a revelation in simplicity and flavor, making it a weeknight warrior that rivals any restaurant dish. Its star feature is the way the slow cooker transforms chicken breasts into impossibly tender morsels infused with bright lemon and aromatic herbs, a delightful contrast to richer, creamier chicken recipes. Best of all, making this at home is incredibly budget-friendly, saving you money while still delivering a gourmet-quality meal. The combination of zesty lemon, savory herbs, and perfectly cooked chicken creates a symphony of taste that’s truly satisfying. Don’t wait – whip up this easy and delicious Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken this week!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Properly storing and reheating your Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken ensures its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the cooked chicken and any remaining sauce to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, portion the cooled chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: Gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
- Microwave: Place a serving of chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until thoroughly warm.
- Oven: For a larger batch, transfer the chicken and sauce back to a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until hot.
Final Thoughts:
The Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken is a testament to how simple ingredients and a slow cooker can create an incredibly delicious and fuss-free meal. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful, tender chicken dish without spending hours in the kitchen; give it a try and taste the difference!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps in achieving a better sear if you choose to sear them first (optional, but recommended for added flavor and color). Place the chicken in the slow cooker insert.1.5 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper.1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the lemon herb mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Ensure each piece of chicken is well-coated.1.5 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker, around the chicken. This will create the flavorful sauce.1 cup chicken broth
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and can be easily shredded or cut with a fork. Cooking time will vary slightly depending on your slow cooker.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. You can either shred it using two forks for a pull-apart style chicken, or slice it into serving portions.1.5 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, carefully drain the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until it has reduced to your desired consistency. You can also whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water to thicken it quickly.
- Return the shredded or sliced chicken to the slow cooker and toss it with the sauce, or spoon the reduced sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired. Serve hot.1.5 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, Fresh parsley, chopped, Lemon slices