Are you tired of bland, dry chicken that leaves everyone at the dinner table disappointed? Get ready to transform your meal time with this incredibly easy and absolutely delicious Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken recipe! In just a few simple steps, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that's bursting with zesty flavor and requires minimal effort. This foolproof recipe is perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum taste with minimal preparation time.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the seasoning adhere better and promotes more even cooking.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together to create a uniform seasoning mixture.
- Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring they are not overlapping to promote even cooking.
- Pour the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, making sure each piece is well-coated with the herbs and spices.
- Gently pour the chicken broth around the sides of the chicken, being careful not to wash off the seasoning.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low heat for 6 hours. This slow cooking method will help the chicken become tender and infused with lemony flavor.
- After 6 hours, check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's fully cooked.
- Once done, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional: Spoon some of the cooking liquid over the chicken when serving to enhance moisture and flavor.
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to help the spices stick and create a more flavorful coating.
- For extra lemony brightness, consider adding some lemon zest to the seasoning mixture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), guaranteeing juicy and perfectly cooked meat.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with the cooking liquid after removing the chicken and simmer for a few minutes.
- Don't skip the resting period after cooking - this allows the juices to redistribute, keeping your chicken incredibly moist and tender.
- For meal prep, this chicken stores beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be easily reheated or used in salads, sandwiches, and more.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 85mg
