Get ready to fall in love with the easiest and most flavorful Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken recipe you’ll ever try. This dish delivers incredibly tender, fall-apart chicken bathed in a rich, savory garlic and herb butter sauce. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, making it perfect for busy weeknights and special occasions alike.
If you’re searching for a recipe that combines simplicity with show-stopping flavor, you’ve found it. We’ve perfected this slow cooker garlic chicken to ensure the sauce is velvety and rich, never watery. Just a few simple ingredients and your trusty crockpot are all you need to create a comforting dinner the whole family will devour.
Why This Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe Works
Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this recipe is a true dump-and-go meal. The slow cooker does all the work, tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with an irresistible garlic butter essence.
Perfectly Rich Sauce: We have a secret tip to ensure your garlic butter sauce is luscious and thick, clinging perfectly to the chicken and anything you serve alongside it. No more watery crockpot meals!
Incredibly Versatile: This chicken is a fantastic base for so many meals. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, or pair it with steamed vegetables for a low-carb option. We’ll share our favorite serving suggestions below.
Family-Approved Comfort: The combination of tender chicken, savory garlic, and rich butter is a classic comfort food profile that even the pickiest eaters will love.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a handful of pantry staples to create its signature flavor. You don’t need anything fancy, just quality ingredients.
The chicken becomes so tender it shreds effortlessly.
For the Chicken:
Chicken Breasts: We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lean protein base. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
Salt and Black Pepper: To season the chicken and form the base layer of flavor.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These add a deep, aromatic flavor that complements the fresh garlic perfectly.
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
Butter: The star of the show! Use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the final dish.
Chicken Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth adds moisture and flavor without making the dish overly salty.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for the best flavor. Don’t be shy with it!
Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that adds complexity.
Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley, stirred in at the end, adds a bright, fresh finish.
Cornstarch: Our secret weapon for a thick, velvety sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Avoid overcooking, as chicken breasts can become dry.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce (Optional but Recommended)
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and set it aside. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of the hot liquid from the crockpot to create a slurry. Pour the slurry back into the crockpot, whisk well, and let it cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Return the chicken to the pot, spoon the sauce over it, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Pro Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Chicken
Don’t Peek: Resist the temptation to lift the lid while the chicken is cooking. Each time you do, heat escapes and increases the cooking time.
Use Fresh Garlic: While garlic powder is in the seasoning rub, using freshly minced garlic for the sauce makes a world of difference in flavor.
Thicken the Sauce: The cornstarch slurry is key to a restaurant-quality sauce. Don’t skip this step if you want a rich, velvety consistency!
Simple ingredients come together for an incredibly flavorful slow cooker meal.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are a few of our favorites:
Mashed Potatoes: A classic pairing! The creamy potatoes are perfect for soaking up the delicious garlic butter sauce. For a similar vibe, check out this Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes recipe.
Pasta: Serve the chicken and sauce over angel hair, linguine, or penne. It’s reminiscent of our popular Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
Rice: Fluffy white or brown rice is an excellent, simple side that lets the chicken shine.
Steamed Vegetables: For a healthier, low-carb meal, serve with steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans.
Variations and Substitutions
Make it Creamy: For an even richer sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or cream cheese during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Add Veggies: Add hearty vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or green beans to the crockpot during the last hour of cooking for a complete one-pot meal.
Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts. They may require slightly longer cooking time but are extra juicy.
Add a Little Heat: For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce. This is a great variation, similar to what makes our Dump-and-Go Buffalo Chicken so popular.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken is just as delicious the next day!
Storage: Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: You can gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce is too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
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More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
If you loved this easy recipe, you’re sure to enjoy our other healthy Crockpot dinners. From savory stews to other simple chicken dishes, your slow cooker is your best friend for easy weeknight meals!
We hope you love this Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken recipe! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on Pinterest!
You won't believe how easy and flavorful this Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken is!
Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken
FL Recipes
Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken (The Easiest, Most Flavorful Recipe!)
A succulent and easy Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a rich, savory garlic and herb butter sauce. The perfect weeknight dinner.
2tbspcornstarchmixed with 3 tbsp of liquid from the crockpot
Equipment
1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart slow cooker is recommended.
1 Small Bowl
Method
Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place them in a single layer in the slow cooker.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Pour the garlic butter mixture over the chicken.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through (reaches 165°F).
Optional: To thicken the sauce, remove the chicken. Mix the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of the hot liquid from the crockpot to make a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, until thickened.
Return the chicken to the thickened sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalProtein: 41gFat: 22gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: For extra juicy chicken, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Tip 2: Serve immediately over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.
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 »
