Introduction

This Best Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken thighs infused with bright lemon and savory garlic. Perfectly seasoned and slow-cooked to juicy perfection, it’s an easy meal that impresses with minimal effort.

Best Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp salt
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
0.75 tsp black pepper
0.75 tsp red pepper flakes
2 medium lemons
1.5 tbsp minced garlic
6 tbsp salted butter
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create an even seasoning blend. Zest both lemons into a separate small bowl, then juice them and set the juice aside.
Step 2: Place the chicken thighs in your slow cooker in an even layer. Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly over the chicken, then spread the minced garlic and lemon zest on top. Pour the lemon juice over everything, and dot with small pieces of salted butter.
Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 172°F (74°C).
Step 4: Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the cooking liquid from the slow cooker, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with your favorite sides like rice or roasted vegetables.

Tips & Variations

For extra zing, add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the slow cooker before cooking.
Use chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but reduce the cooking time slightly.
Garnish with additional lemon slices for a bright presentation.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat to keep the chicken moist, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken thighs for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken thighs to ensure even cooking and proper internal temperature. Cooking from frozen in a slow cooker may result in unevenly cooked chicken.

How can I tell when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is safe to eat once it reaches 172°F (74°C) at the thickest part.

Best Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 102 reviews

This Best Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs slow-cooked to perfection with a zesty lemon and garlic-infused buttery sauce. The combination of paprika, garlic, onion powders, and fresh lemon creates a bright, flavorful dish that’s incredibly easy to prepare and ideal for a comforting, hassle-free meal.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on low or 3 hours on high
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp salt
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
0.75 tsp black pepper
0.75 tsp red pepper flakes

Lemon and Garlic

2 medium lemons (zested and juiced)
1.5 tbsp minced garlic

Other

6 tbsp salted butter
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Prepare Seasoning Blend: In a small bowl, whisk together paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to ensure an even seasoning mixture without clumps. Zest both lemons directly into another small bowl, then juice them and set aside.
Assemble Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in an even layer inside the slow cooker. Evenly sprinkle the spice blend on top of the chicken. Distribute the minced garlic and lemon zest over the chicken pieces.
Add Lemon Juice and Butter: Pour the fresh lemon juice over the chicken and dot the surface with the salted butter pieces. This will melt during cooking to create a rich, lemony sauce.
Cook Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 3 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 172°F (74°C) at the thickest part, ensuring moist and flavorful meat.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the cooking liquid/sauce from the slow cooker. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately with sides such as rice, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to enjoy the flavorful sauce.

Notes

Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for the best flavor and tenderness.
Cook on low for moist, tender chicken and well-developed flavors; high heat will cook faster but may be less tender.
The lemon butter sauce is delicious spread on rice or bread.
Internal temperature should reach 172°F (74°C) for food safety and optimum juiciness.
Adjust red pepper flakes for desired spice level or omit if preferred mild.

Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker chicken, easy chicken recipe, lemon butter chicken