Best Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
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.
- 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
