On busy days when I still want a homemade meal that feels warm and inviting, I turn to this crock pot lemon chicken recipe. The slow cooker does all the work while your kitchen fills with the comforting aroma of lemon, garlic, and herbs.
It’s the kind of dish that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day, yet it’s wonderfully simple. This slow cooker lemon chicken isn’t just easy, it’s proof that simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor when you let time and warmth do their work.
I made this recipe tonight with bone in chicken thighs. I cut the skin off before I browned them in the skillet. My family loves dark chicken more than white. Let me tell you I have a picky daughter and husband but they both LOVED this!
—Tara
Crock Pot Lemon Chicken
This dish is everything I like about home-cooked comfort: bright, creamy, and filled with flavor. It’s the perfect balance of tangy lemon and rich garlic cream sauce. The chicken turns fork-tender as it simmers all afternoon in the crock pot, soaking up every bit of that savory sauce. It’s also easy to make ahead, family-friendly, and versatile; you can use either chicken breasts or thighs for extra tenderness. Plus, with a few simple swaps, it transforms into a healthy crockpot lemon chicken that fits any diet or gathering. If creamy slow cooker chicken recipes are your favorite, you might also enjoy trying this Creamy Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken and Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing.
Ingredient Notes
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Onion: A finely diced onion adds natural sweetness and depth.
- Garlic: Use whole, fresh cloves rather than minced; slow cooking mellows their sharpness and creates a rich, buttery depth that bottled garlic can’t match.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed for a bright, tangy sauce.
- Chicken Broth: The savory base that keeps the chicken juicy. Opt for low-sodium broth so you can control the saltiness.
- Italian Seasoning & Dressing Mix: Adds classic herbed flavor. Use a dressing mix powder for convenience, or homemade Italian seasoning for a cleaner flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but adds a gentle kick.
- Heavy Cream: Creates that luscious, creamy texture.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce perfectly.
- Honey: Drizzle before serving to balance the lemon’s tartness.
- Fresh Parsley or Basil: Adds color and freshness.
- Your Favorite Pasta: Spaghetti, fettuccine, or even orzo, soak up the sauce beautifully. For a lighter pairing, serve it over rice or roasted vegetables.
Yes, but for the best texture, thaw first so it cooks evenly.
How To Make Crock Pot Lemon Chicken
Dice and Prep the Ingredients
Dice the onion, peel the garlic, and squeeze fresh lemon juice. Combine chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic cloves, diced onion, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes in your slow cooker. This flavorful mixture becomes the base for the sauce.
Sear the Chicken & Slow Cook
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden. This locks in flavor and gives the chicken a beautiful color. (It doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet.)
Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan. Let each piece get that golden sear. After browning, deglaze the skillet with a splash of chicken broth and pour those flavorful bits into the slow cooker.
Place the seared chicken in the slow cooker and cover. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F and is tender.
Pro Tip: Because slow cookers can heat differently, use a thermometer to ensure it’s fully cooked before serving.
Make the Sauce
Once the cooking time is done, ladle out the broth into a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil. In a jar, shake together heavy cream and cornstarch, then whisk it into the hot broth. Cook for about 1 minute, until thickened and silky.
Serve and Enjoy
Return the sauce to the slow cooker and set it to Warm. Cook pasta according to package directions. Spoon sauce over the noodles, top with chicken, drizzle with hot honey, and garnish with lemon slices and parsley.
Use chicken thighs, reduce the cream to ¼ cup, and substitute with coconut milk or Greek yogurt.
Whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch into cold broth or almond milk before adding to the pot; it thickens beautifully.
Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips
Dietary Modifications: For gluten-free diners, serve this dish over rice or gluten-free pasta to enjoy every drop of the creamy lemon sauce. Swap heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk to make it dairy-free.
Flavor Enhancements: Add 2 tablespoons of capers or a handful of sliced mushrooms for brightness and depth.
Add-In Options: Try adding broccoli florets in the last 30 minutes for a one-pot meal.
Simple Substitutions: Use chicken thighs for deeper flavor, or Greek yogurt instead of cream for a lighter version.
Tips for Recipe Success: Brown the chicken first to seal in moisture and develop a golden crust. Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth to collect all the rich, caramelized bits that deepen the sauce. Let the sauce thicken completely before serving so it coats the chicken and pasta beautifully.
Hospitality Challenge
As your creamy crock pot lemon garlic chicken fills your home with its bright aroma, think of someone who hasn’t been invited to a meal in a while: a neighbor who just moved in, a single mom, or a widowed church member. Prepare this dish and invite them over for a simple dinner, no need for fancy sides or décor. You might serve it alongside Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans or 5-Minute Prep Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts, offer warm Cheddar and Rosemary Savory Zucchini Bread for soaking up the creamy sauce, and end the meal on a sweet note with a delicious dessert like Soft Lemon Blueberry Cake Cookies. Share the comfort of a warm meal as a reflection of Christ’s welcome. Hospitality begins not with perfection, but with presence: a crock pot, a table, and an open heart.
More Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Savor
- Creamy Crockpot Chicken With Ranch
- Creamed Chicken in Crock Pot, Rich Flavor and Simple Prep
- Effortless Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings
- Cheesy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti (Slow Cooker)
- Smothered Chicken Texas Roadhouse (Slow Cooker Copycat Recipe)
This crock pot lemon chicken is everything I love about stress-free hosting: bright, creamy, and full of flavor that brings people together around the table. If you have any questions about making this recipe, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Creamy Crock Pot Lemon Chicken
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup finely diced onion, about ½ a small onion
- 5 small whole garlic cloves
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1-2 lemons
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and dressing mix powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 5 lemon slices, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons honey, to drizzle over top before serving
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil, for garnish
- Your favorite pasta, for serving
Instructions
Prep
- Dice the onions.⅓ cup finely diced onion
- Peel garlic cloves.5 small whole garlic cloves
- Squeeze lemon juice.¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the chicken broth, lemon juice, whole garlic cloves, diced onion, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.1 cup chicken broth, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and dressing mix powder, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Brown Chicken
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken breasts or thighs. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked, just browned.4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, Salt and pepper to taste
- Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker. After removing the chicken from the skillet and into the Crock Pot, use a little chicken broth to deglaze the pan and scrape up all those delicious browned bits and add to the Crock Pot. It'll add so much flavor and richness to the sauce.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6 hours. Note: Slow cookers can vary, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
Thickening The Sauce
- Once cooking time is over, ladle out the broth and pour it into a small saucepan. Bring it up to a boil on medium-high heat on the stove.
- Mix the heavy cream and cornstarch in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to combine.½ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- Pour the cream slurry mixture into the pan of boiling broth and whisk it together until it thickens. This should take about 1 minute.
- Return the thickened broth to the slow cooker and set on warm until you are ready to serve.
- Serve the chicken and sauce over cooked pasta.Your favorite pasta
- Drizzle honey over the chicken and garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley or basil.5 lemon slices, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Room Temperature: Keep leftovers out no longer than 2 hours after cooking.
- Fridge: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. Stir in a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
I made this recipe tonight with bone in chicken thighs. I cut the skin off before I browned them in the skillet. My family loves dark chicken more than white. Let me tell you I have a picky daughter and husband but they both LOVED this! I made green beans and garlic butter noodles for our sides. Thank you Gina for this amazing recipe!
Tara, so glad they enjoyed this crock pot recipe. I agree chicken thighs add a lot of flavor. Thanks for sharing, I put your review at the top of the post as a star review.