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A platter of juicy Lemon Herb Chicken, beautifully garnished with fresh lemon slices and herbs.

Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken

This easy Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender, succulent chicken bathed in a bright, savory sauce. It's a perfect weeknight meal that's largely hands-off and bursting with flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs trimmed of excess fat
Lemon Garlic Sauce
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice from about 2-3 lemons
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 6-8 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium recommended
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
For Thickening (Optional)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup cold water
For Garnish
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • 6-quart Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons

Method
 

Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chicken broth, olive oil, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and onion powder until well combined.
Assemble the Crockpot
  1. Place the trimmed chicken thighs evenly in the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Pour the prepared lemon garlic sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
Cook
  1. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is fork-tender and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C).
Thicken Sauce (Optional)
  1. If you prefer a thicker sauce, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Serve
  1. Shred the chicken with two forks or serve the thighs whole. Return the chicken to the thickened sauce in the slow cooker. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

This Lemon Garlic Chicken is fantastic served over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or with a side of steamed vegetables like green beans or asparagus. The sauce is delicious spooned over any accompaniment. Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.