If you’re craving a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. It brings together tender, juicy chicken simmered in a luscious lemon and garlic butter sauce that’s bursting with bright, zesty flavors and just the right amount of seasoning. The magic happens slowly in your crock pot, making it effortless to prepare yet absolutely mouthwatering. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or looking to impress guests with minimal fuss, this recipe delivers comfort and sophistication in every single bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple, pantry-friendly staples that combine to create a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. Each one plays an essential role in building that rich, buttery sauce and tender chicken that melts in your mouth.
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Chicken thighs offer more juiciness while breasts provide leaner meat; both work beautifully here.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted): This is the buttery base that makes the sauce decadently rich and smooth.
- 4 cloves garlic (minced): Garlic infuses the chicken with its classic pungent and aromatic punch.
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon: Adds vibrant citrus brightness and fresh zing that balances the richness.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Brings a warm blend of herbs that uplifts the entire dish.
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika: Adds a subtle smoky undertone and lovely color.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Essential for enhancing all flavors harmoniously.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Offers gentle heat and complexity.
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For an extra kick of spice if you’re feeling adventurous.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish): Adds a fresh herbal note and pretty green contrast.
- Lemon slices (for garnish, optional): Beautiful for presentation and an added squeeze of citrus if desired.
How to Make Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken
Start by placing your boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker. This is the canvas for all the incredible flavors to soak into — the kind of easy prep that makes the recipe shine from the very beginning.
Step 2: Mix the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. This sauce is where the magic happens — it’s buttery, tangy, aromatic, and perfectly spiced all at once.
Step 3: Pour Sauce and Cook
Pour the luscious lemon garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken in the crock pot. Cover with the lid and set your slow cooker to low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours. The low and slow cooking ensures each bite is tender and infused with those vibrant flavors. You can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes cooking time to slightly thicken the sauce, giving a richer coating to your chicken.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Once the chicken is tender and cooked through, spoon some of the beautifully fragrant sauce over the chicken, and garnish with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices. This final touch adds a burst of freshness and an irresistible look.
How to Serve Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley sprinkled on top adds a lovely pop of color and a fresh herbaceous note, perfectly balancing the rich, buttery flavors. Lemon slices not only brighten up the dish visually but also let everyone customize the tanginess to their liking with an extra squeeze of lemon.
Side Dishes
This lemon garlic butter chicken is incredibly versatile when it comes to pairing. Serve it alongside steamed rice or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up that heavenly sauce, or complement it with roasted vegetables such as asparagus or green beans for a healthy, vibrant contrast. Even a simple pasta tossed with olive oil and garlic can turn this into a hearty, elegant meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow guests or just spice up your weeknight dinner routine? Try shredding the leftover chicken and tossing it into wraps, sandwiches, or even salads for quick and tasty lunches. You can also serve the chicken over a bed of creamy polenta or cauliflower mash for a delightful twist. Presentation is all about layering colors from garnish and sides to highlight the gorgeous golden glaze of the chicken.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Stored properly in the refrigerator, your Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe can keep its flavor and moisture for up to 3 to 4 days, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep or quick reheats.
Freezing
If you want to make this chicken even more convenient, freeze the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Be sure to leave some room at the top of the container, as the sauce may expand as it freezes.
Reheating
Gently reheat your leftovers by microwaving in short intervals or warming in a covered pan on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. Adding a splash of water, chicken broth, or lemon juice can help revive the sauce’s luscious texture when reheating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While chicken thighs remain juicier and more forgiving during slow cooking, chicken breasts work well too if you prefer leaner meat. Just keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid drying out the breasts.
Do I have to use butter in this recipe?
The butter is essential for the rich, velvety sauce characteristic of this recipe. You could substitute with olive oil for a lighter version, but it won’t have the same creamy texture and depth of flavor.
Can I add vegetables to the crock pot?
You can! Adding hearty vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or mushrooms will cook nicely alongside the chicken and absorb the delicious lemon garlic butter sauce.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it a safe and tasty choice for those with gluten sensitivities.
What if I don’t have crushed red pepper flakes?
If you want to skip the heat or don’t have red pepper flakes on hand, feel free to leave them out. The dish will still have plenty of flavor from the garlic, lemon, and herbs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a comforting, simple, and utterly delicious meal, the Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe is an absolute winner. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s the kind of dish that quickly becomes a household favorite. Give it a try and watch as your family or friends fall in love with every tender, buttery, garlicky bite.
Print
Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken is a simple, flavorful slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts cooked in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for easy meal prep, this dish delivers a buttery, savory meal with minimal effort, ideal for serving alongside rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
- Lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker, evenly spreading them out for consistent cooking.
- Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, to create the flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce.
- Combine and cook: Pour the lemon garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover the slow cooker.
- Slow cook: Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
- Optional sauce thickening: For a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and optional lemon slices. Serve with your choice of rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- This dish is great for meal prep as leftovers can be shredded to use in wraps, salads, or sandwiches.
- For enhanced flavor, sear the chicken in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side before placing it in the slow cooker.
- If you prefer less spice, omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- The slow cooker method ensures the chicken stays moist and absorbs all the lemon garlic butter flavors thoroughly.
