If you’re searching for a meal that’s full of fresh, zesty flavors and melts-in-your-mouth tender, look no further than Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken. This recipe brings together a breezy combination of citrus, olive oil, and herbs, infusing juicy chicken breasts with light and savory notes. The magic? It’s absolutely effortless: just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it work its magic, and you’re greeted with a bright, comforting chicken dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s my go-to for busy weeknights, easy meal prep, or when I want to impress without stress.

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken so special is how a few simple, everyday ingredients come together to create something truly spectacular. Each one brings a specific shade of flavor, tenderizes the chicken, or adds a pop of color that brings the whole dish to life.

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless—lean and juicy, these are the canvas for all the bold flavors you’ll add.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Gives the chicken a savory base to simmer in and keeps it extra moist.
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice: Adds that punchy tang and fresh aroma that sets this dish apart.
Olive Oil: Enriches the sauce with healthy fat and a hint of Mediterranean warmth.
Garlic Cloves: Four cloves are just right to make the flavor shine—but not overpower.
Dried Oregano: Brings earthiness and depth with its classic herbal aroma.
Dried Thyme: A subtle background note that plays perfectly with the lemon and garlic.
Paprika: Adds a pop of color and a gentle, toasty warmth to the overall dish.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors without making the dish overly salty, especially with low-sodium broth.
Black Pepper: Just a touch for a bit of bite and balance.
Lemon Slices and Chopped Fresh Parsley (for garnish): These make the finished dish look (and taste) restaurant-worthy with extra pops of freshness.

How to Make Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Whisk the Marinade

In a small bowl, whisk together your chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Don’t skip this step—whisking ensures every drop of lemon and spice is evenly distributed, so each bite of chicken soaks up tons of flavor.

Step 2: Prep Your Chicken

Lay your chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker. If you want to go the extra mile, you can sear them briefly in a hot skillet first for a little extra color and flavor, but it’s absolutely delicious even dropped in raw—promise!

Step 3: Coat and Cook

Pour the zesty lemon-garlic marinade right over the chicken breasts. Turn each piece to make sure it’s well coated in all that deliciousness. Then cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 4-5 hours, or high for 2-3 hours. The kitchen will start to smell amazing as the Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken gets perfectly tender and juicy.

Step 4: Rest and Slice

Once the chicken is cooked through (it should be easy to shred with a fork), carefully transfer it to a plate or cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes; this is the secret to super juicy meat. Then, slice or shred as desired—whatever suits your mood or meal plan.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Spoon some of the luscious lemon-garlic cooking juices over the chicken before serving. Garnish with bright lemon slices and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, and you’re ready for the table. Every bite of Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken is like sunshine on a plate!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

Garnishes

A generous scatter of chopped fresh parsley and a few thin lemon rounds will instantly dress up your platter. The herbs bring pop and fragrance, while the citrus slices make your Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken look every bit as inviting as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This chicken is wonderful with fluffy rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up the sauce. Or go extra fresh with roasted vegetables—like asparagus, green beans, or carrots—alongside a crisp green salad. The bright, lemony sauce is perfect for bringing simple sides to life.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing the chicken and layering it onto toasted ciabatta with arugula and a spoonful of the slow-cooked garlic for a zesty sandwich. Or top a leafy salad or grain bowl, using the extra juices as a tangy, homemade dressing. There are endless ways to let Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken shine!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken stores like a dream. Place cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen over time, making leftovers even more delicious!

Freezing

Want an easy meal at the ready? Freeze cooked and cooled portions (with a splash of sauce to keep it moist) in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and you’ve got dinner almost ready to go.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, spooning the flavorful juices over top to keep everything moist. The microwave also works in a pinch—just cover and use a medium setting so the chicken stays tender and doesn’t dry out.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs work beautifully for Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken. They bring extra juiciness and you may just want to add 30-60 minutes to the cooking time, depending on size.

Is it okay to prep everything the night before?

Definitely! Assemble the chicken and sauce in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, set the insert into your slow cooker and cook as directed. Talk about effortless weeknight cooking!

Does this recipe work for meal prep?

Yes, Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken is fantastic for meal prep. Make a batch, portion into containers with rice or veggies, and your lunches will be the envy of the office or your own kitchen at home.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Of course! Double all ingredients and layer the chicken in the slow cooker, being sure all pieces are coated in sauce. You may need to add a little cooking time if the pot is quite full, but the end result will be just as tender and flavorful.

What can I do if I want a thicker sauce?

If you crave a thicker lemon-garlic sauce, remove the cooked chicken, then whisk a teaspoon of cornstarch into the cooking liquid and simmer on high for 10-15 minutes. Pour over the chicken for a gloriously luscious finish.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a crowd-pleaser that requires almost no effort but delivers maximum flavor, you need to add Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken to your weekly line-up. There’s something magical about its bright lemon, fragrant garlic, and simple comfort. Once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes your new dinnertime hero!

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 40 minutes (high)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is a simple and flavorful dish that is perfect for a busy day. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a tangy lemon-garlic sauce until juicy and delicious. Serve with your favorite sides for a complete meal!

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
lemon slices and chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour the mixture over the top, turning to coat.
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Remove chicken from the slow cooker and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Spoon cooking juices over the chicken and garnish with lemon slices and parsley before serving.

Notes

This dish pairs well with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
For extra flavor, sear the chicken breasts in a skillet for 2–3 minutes per side before adding them to the slow cooker.
You can also use bone-in chicken thighs for a juicier result, adjusting the cooking time as needed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours (low) or 2.5 hours (high)
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American