Description
These Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs are juicy, tender, and packed with bright citrus flavor and rich garlic goodness. Slow-cooked in a buttery lemon sauce, the chicken becomes fall-apart tender while soaking up all the delicious flavors. It’s an easy, comforting dish perfect for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
For the Lemon Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Season the Chicken
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
2. Optional Sear
- For extra flavor, sear chicken in a hot pan (skin-side down) for 3–4 minutes until golden.
3. Add to Slow Cooker
- Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
4. Make Sauce
- In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, honey, and red pepper flakes.
5. Cook
- Pour sauce over chicken.
- Cover and cook:
- Low: 6–7 hours
- High: 3–4 hours
6. Finish
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Tips
- Use bone-in thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Broil for 3–5 minutes after cooking for crispy skin 🔥
- Add potatoes or veggies to make it a full meal
- Adjust lemon to taste for more tanginess
Notes
- Sauce can be thickened with cornstarch if desired.
- Works well with chicken breasts, but thighs stay juicier.
- Great for meal prep—flavor improves over time.
Servings
- Serves: 4–6 people
Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
Benefits
- High in protein
- Rich in flavor with simple ingredients
- Easy one-pot meal
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
Q&A
Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
A: Yes, but reduce cooking time slightly.
Q: How do I make the sauce thicker?
A: Add a cornstarch slurry at the end and cook 15 minutes more.
Q: Can I freeze this?
A: Yes, store up to 2 months in an airtight container.
Q: What goes well with this dish?
A: Rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Replace butter with olive oil.