If you are looking for an effortless, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dinner, this Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken is the ultimate solution. It features tender, juicy chicken pieces slow-cooked to perfection in a rich garlic butter broth, infused with fresh, vibrant lemon wheels and aromatic herbs.
It requires minimal prep work, making it the perfect hands-off meal for busy weeknights that still feels elegant enough for a weekend family dinner!
Prep time, Cook time, & Servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on Low) or 2 hours (on High)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Base:
- Chicken Pieces: 3-4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or a mix of breasts and drumsticks/thighs)
- Lemons: 2 large lemons (1 sliced into thick wheels, 1 juiced)
- Garlic: 6-8 whole cloves, peeled
- Cherry Tomatoes or Cranberries: 1/4 cup (optional, for a pop of color and tartness)
- Olive Oil or Butter: 1 tbsp (for searing)
The Herb & Garlic Butter Glaze:
- Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup
- Melted Unsalted Butter: 3 tbsp
- Italian Seasoning: 1 tbsp (dried oregano, basil, and thyme blend)
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 tsp
- Onion Powder: 1/2 tsp
- Salt & Cracked Black Pepper: To taste
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tbsp, finely chopped (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended)
- Pat dry the chicken pieces with a paper towel and season them generously on all sides with salt, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until a light golden crust forms. This locks in the juices, though you can skip this step and place them straight in the pot if you are short on time!
2. Arrange the Slow Cooker
- Place the seared chicken pieces neatly into the bottom of a standard 6-quart slow cooker liner.
- Toss the whole, peeled garlic cloves and cherry tomatoes/berries into the gaps surrounding the chicken meat.
3. Mix and Pour the Glaze
- Whisk together the chicken broth, melted unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl or measuring cup.
- Pour the savory broth mixture evenly over the chicken pieces inside the slow cooker.
4. Layer the Lemons
- Arrange the thick lemon wheels symmetrically directly on top of and between the chicken pieces.
- Dust a tiny bit of extra black pepper and a few pinches of fresh parsley flakes over the lemon slices.
5. Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
- Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 hours (or on HIGH for 2 hours) until the chicken is completely tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. Garnish and Serve
- Remove the lid and let the steam clear.
- Garnish with the remaining fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve the chicken hot, spooning the rich garlic-infused lemon butter juices from the bottom of the pot heavily over the meat. It pairs beautifully alongside a bed of fluffy white rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables!
Chef’s Tips for Success
- Prevent Bitter Sauce: If you plan on slow-cooking the chicken for longer than 4 hours, remove the seeds from the lemon wheels and peel off the white pith/skin before placing them in the pot. Prolonged cooking of the white lemon rind can introduce a slight bitterness to the broth.
- Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker gravy over your chicken, remove the cooked chicken at the end, stir a slurry of 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water into the bubbling slow cooker juices, and let it cook on high for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Mix Your Meat: Using a blend of chicken breasts and bone-in thighs or drumsticks adds incredible depth of flavor to the slow cooker broth while keeping the white meat perfectly moist.