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Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

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Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

Description

These Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs are juicy, tender, and packed with bright citrus flavor and rich garlic goodness. Slow-cooked in a buttery lemon sauce, the chicken becomes fall-apart tender while soaking up all the delicious flavors. It’s an easy, comforting dish perfect for weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

For the Lemon Garlic Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

 Instructions

1. Season the Chicken

  • Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

2. Optional Sear

  • For extra flavor, sear chicken in a hot pan (skin-side down) for 3–4 minutes until golden.

3. Add to Slow Cooker

  • Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.

4. Make Sauce

  • In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, honey, and red pepper flakes.

5. Cook

  • Pour sauce over chicken.
  • Cover and cook:
    • Low: 6–7 hours
    • High: 3–4 hours

6. Finish

  • Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

 Tips

  • Use bone-in thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness.
  • Broil for 3–5 minutes after cooking for crispy skin 🔥
  • Add potatoes or veggies to make it a full meal
  • Adjust lemon to taste for more tanginess

 Notes

  • Sauce can be thickened with cornstarch if desired.
  • Works well with chicken breasts, but thighs stay juicier.
  • Great for meal prep—flavor improves over time.

 Servings

  • Serves: 4–6 people

 Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)

  • Calories: 380
  • Protein: 28g
  • Fat: 26g
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Fiber: 0g

Benefits

  • High in protein
  • Rich in flavor with simple ingredients
  • Easy one-pot meal
  • Great for meal prep and leftovers

Q&A

Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
A: Yes, but reduce cooking time slightly.

Q: How do I make the sauce thicker?
A: Add a cornstarch slurry at the end and cook 15 minutes more.

Q: Can I freeze this?
A: Yes, store up to 2 months in an airtight container.

Q: What goes well with this dish?
A: Rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Replace butter with olive oil.

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