Recipe: Slow Cooker Lemon-Garlic Chicken Breast — Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners

February 01, 2018


This is my favorite kind of dinner. It is one that you will smell far before you have the chance to taste it. The bright scent of citrus and the rich, pungent aroma of garlic swirl through the kitchen to create eager anticipation that builds by the minute. The result is juicy pieces of chicken gilded with a velvety sauce bursting with lemon and infused with a rich, roasted garlic flavor.

Start with a Deep Sear for More Flavor

Pull out a skillet and I promise that the five minutes of upfront prep and the extra dirty pan will be totally worth your effort. Instead of a simple dump-and-go slow cooker recipe, this one starts by searing one side of the chicken breasts in a hot pan. Leave the meat undisturbed to pick up a really good sear, and use those few minutes to measure out the broth and lemon juice and prep the garlic cloves. When you return to the skillet, each piece of chicken will have picked up a lovely browned crust that not only looks impressive, but also gives the meat a deeper, richer flavor.

Slow Cooker Lemon-Garlic Chicken Breast

Serves 4

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for the chicken
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for the chicken
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
8 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Chopped fresh parsley leaves (optional)

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Liberally season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the pan and sear until browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the chicken seared-side up to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker in a single layer. Add the broth, lemon juice, and garlic. Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the chicken is cooked through, tender, and registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 4 hours. Meanwhile, place the butter and flour in a small bowl and use your fingers to rub the flour into the butter; set aside.

Transfer the chicken to plates or a serving platter. Pour the liquid and garlic from the slow cooker into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the butter mixture and whisk constantly until completely incorporated into the sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour over the chicken, sprinkle with parsley if desired, and serve.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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