Welcome to a recipe that will redefine your weeknight dinners! This Lemon Crockpot Chicken is the answer to your search for a meal that is incredibly easy to prepare, packed with bright, zesty flavor, and guaranteed to be juicy and tender every single time. If you’ve ever been disappointed by dry, bland slow cooker chicken, this recipe is here to change everything. We’re using simple, wholesome ingredients to create a delicious, versatile chicken that’s perfect for shredding and using in countless dishes.
The magic happens right in your slow cooker, where chicken breasts simmer gently in a vibrant sauce of fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs. It’s a true “set it and forget it” meal that fills your home with an amazing aroma and delivers a dinner the whole family will love. Get ready to make this your new go-to!
Why This Will Be Your Go-To Crockpot Recipe
You’re going to fall in love with this Lemon Crockpot Chicken recipe for so many reasons. It’s designed for busy people who still crave delicious, home-cooked meals.
Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have this meal cooking away. The slow cooker does all the hard work, melding the lemon, garlic, and herbs into a truly mouthwatering sauce.
Perfectly Juicy Every Time: We’re sharing all the tips to avoid dry chicken. Cooking low and slow in a liquid bath ensures the chicken becomes fall-apart tender.
Incredibly Versatile: This shredded lemon chicken is a fantastic base for so many meals. Serve it over rice, in a salad, on a sandwich, or mixed with pasta. For a complete meal in one, check out our Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetables recipe.
Healthy and Wholesome: Made with clean, simple ingredients, this dish is naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and packed with protein. It fits perfectly into a healthy lifestyle.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts of this recipe is its simple, fresh ingredient list. You don’t need anything fancy to create incredible flavor.
Dinner is served! Healthy, easy, and so delicious.
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this recipe. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
Chicken Broth: This provides the liquid base for cooking and keeps the chicken moist. Use a low-sodium version to control the saltiness.
Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds richness to the sauce.
Fresh Lemon: We use both the zest and juice of a whole lemon for a bright, powerful citrus flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor.
Dried Herbs: A simple combination of dried oregano and thyme provides a wonderful earthy, aromatic background.
Salt and Pepper: To season the chicken and enhance all the other flavors.
Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley, stirred in at the end, adds a final burst of freshness and color.
How to Make Lemon Crockpot Chicken: Step-by-Step
This is a simple dump-and-go recipe. Just follow these easy steps for perfect results.
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place them in the bottom of your crockpot in a single layer.
Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
Combine in Crockpot: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-2.5 hours. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and tender. Avoid overcooking to ensure it stays moist.
Shred and Serve: Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and place them on a cutting board. Let them rest for a few minutes, then shred the meat using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the sauce. Stir in the fresh parsley and let it absorb the juices for a few minutes before serving.
If you enjoy easy chicken dinners, you’ll also love this Crockpot Chicken Alfredo, which offers a creamier but equally simple preparation.
Expert Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken
While this recipe is simple, a few key tips will take it from great to absolutely perfect.
Don’t Overcook: The key to juicy chicken is to cook it just until it’s done (165°F or 74°C). Cooking times can vary between slow cookers, so start checking on the earlier side.
Fresh is Best: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh garlic for the most vibrant flavor. Bottled juice and pre-minced garlic simply don’t compare.
Let it Rest: Letting the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat more tender and flavorful.
Embrace the Sauce: After shredding, always return the chicken to the sauce in the crockpot. This is where it soaks up all that amazing lemon-garlic goodness.
Delicious Variations to Try
This Lemon Crockpot Chicken recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to customize it to your liking!
Add Vegetables: Add 1-inch diced potatoes and carrots to the bottom of the crockpot before the chicken for a one-pot meal. You can also stir in quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus or green beans during the last 30 minutes.
Make it Creamy: For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a few tablespoons of cream cheese at the end, after the chicken is shredded.
Switch up the Herbs: Fresh rosemary or dill would also be delicious in this recipe.
What to Serve with Lemon Crockpot Chicken
This versatile chicken pairs well with so many side dishes. You can create a light lunch or a hearty dinner.
So tender and juicy, it practically falls apart!
Grains: Serve over fluffy white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up the delicious sauce.
Pasta: Toss the shredded chicken and sauce with your favorite pasta, like penne or orzo.
Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, steamed asparagus, or a fresh green salad are excellent accompaniments.
Bowls: Create delicious and healthy bowls, similar to these Lemon Tahini Chicken Bowls, using the shredded chicken as your protein base.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second intervals until warm, or gently heat in a saucepan over medium-low heat. The sauce will help keep it moist upon reheating.
Absolutely! The slow cooker is designed to cook raw meat safely over several hours. Just ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered fully cooked.
The two most important things are to have enough liquid in the pot (like the chicken broth and lemon juice in this recipe) and to avoid overcooking. Cook on low for the most tender results and start checking the chicken at the earliest recommended time.
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They have a slightly higher fat content, which makes them naturally very moist and flavorful. The cooking time will be very similar.
This chicken is very versatile! It’s delicious served over rice, quinoa, or pasta. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables like broccoli and asparagus, or a fresh green salad.
For this recipe, you can cook the chicken breasts on HIGH for 2 to 2.5 hours. However, cooking on LOW for 3-4 hours is generally recommended for the most tender and juicy results.
The Best Lemon Crockpot Chicken Recipe
FL Recipes
Lemon Crockpot Chicken (The Easiest, Juiciest Recipe!)
This Lemon Crockpot Chicken is the answer to your search for a meal that is incredibly easy to prepare, packed with bright, zesty flavor, and guaranteed to be juicy and tender every single time.
1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart slow cooker is recommended.
1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
1 Mixing Bowl
Method
Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place them in the bottom of your crockpot in a single layer.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-2.5 hours. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and tender.
Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and place them on a cutting board. Let them rest for a few minutes, then shred the meat using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the sauce. Stir in the fresh parsley and let it absorb the juices for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 250kcalProtein: 35gFat: 10gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: Avoid overcooking the chicken for the juiciest results. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C). Tip 2: Feel free to add 1-inch cubed potatoes to the bottom of the crockpot for a complete one-pot meal. Tip 3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
I hope you love this simple and flavorful Lemon Crockpot Chicken recipe as much as I do! It’s a lifesaver on busy days and always a crowd-pleaser. If you try it, please leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out. And don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
This Lemon Crockpot Chicken is a game-changer for easy weeknight dinners!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
