Dreamy Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken in Crock Pot Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand simple, flavorful solutions that satisfy hungry families.

This creamy lemon garlic chicken in crock pot recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Tender chicken slowly simmers in a rich, zesty sauce that promises mouthwatering results.

Minimal ingredients combine to create maximum flavor with hardly any kitchen effort.

The robust blend of tangy lemons and savory garlic infuses every tender bite with Mediterranean-inspired goodness.

Each spoonful promises a delightful balance of creamy texture and bright, bold flavors.

You’ll love how effortlessly this dish comes together, turning ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that everyone will request again and again.

FAQs

• What are the key flavors in this Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe?

The dish combines bright lemon, savory garlic, and a creamy sauce with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, creating a balanced and rich flavor profile.

• Can I use different cuts of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts or thighs. Bone-in or boneless both work well, though cooking times might need slight adjustments depending on the cut and size.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes provide a very mild background heat. You can easily adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to make it more or less spicy according to your preference.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken in Crock Pot to Savor

• Minimal chopping and browning steps make this recipe a breeze for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without complex techniques.
• Perfect for family dinners, this chicken dish adapts easily to different serving styles like pasta, rice, or salad, pleasing various taste preferences.
• Creamy lemon garlic sauce elevates basic chicken into a restaurant-quality meal with bold, tangy flavors that everyone will love.
• Slow cooker preparation allows you to walk away while the chicken becomes incredibly tender and infused with zesty, aromatic seasonings.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Tender meat that serves as the primary protein for this creamy, flavorful dish.

• Onion, Garlic Cloves: These ingredients provide a rich, savory foundation and depth of flavor to the chicken.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the cooking liquid and helps keep the chicken moist.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, tangy flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.

• Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a complex herb profile and subtle heat to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the chicken.

• Heavy Cream, Cornstarch: Combine to create a smooth, creamy sauce with a luxurious texture.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning the chicken and adding a subtle richness.

• Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness when drizzled over the finished dish.
• Lemon Slices, Parsley or Basil: Provide fresh garnish and additional flavor complexity.

Tools for Easy Lemon Garlic Chicken Prep

• Slow Cooker: Essential 6-quart pot for creating tender, flavorful chicken.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning chicken and releasing delicious caramelized bits.
• Small Saucepan: Needed for boiling and thickening the sauce.
• Jar with Tight Lid: Ideal for mixing cream and cornstarch smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend cream slurry into broth seamlessly.
• Cutting Board: For dicing onions and chopping herbs.
• Sharp Knife: To prepare ingredients precisely.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Helps transfer broth from slow cooker to saucepan.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken in Crock Pot

Step 1: Prep Kitchen Warriors

Grab your cutting board and knife.

Dice the onion into small pieces and peel those garlic cloves like a pro chef.

Step 2: Squeeze Citrus Magic

Roll the lemon on the counter to release its juices, then squeeze every last drop into a small bowl.

Step 3: Create Flavor Foundation

• Chicken broth
• Fresh lemon juice
• Whole garlic cloves
• Diced onion
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes

Step 4: Golden Brown Chicken Dance

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.

Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Step 5: Transfer Flavor Treasures

Carefully move the browned chicken into the slow cooker.

Use a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the skillet, scraping up all those delicious browned bits.

Pour this liquid gold into the slow cooker.

Step 6: Slow Cooking Magic

Cover and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours.

Trust the process and let the flavors mingle.

Step 7: Sauce Transformation

Scoop out the cooking liquid into a saucepan.

Bring it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.

Step 8: Cream Mixture Moment

• Heavy cream
• Cornstarch

Shake vigorously until perfectly blended.

Step 9: Sauce Thickening Wizardry

Pour the cream mixture into the boiling broth.

Whisk like a culinary artist until the sauce thickens – about 1 minute of magic.

Step 10: Final Flavor Flourish

Return the thickened sauce to the slow cooker.

Keep warm until serving.

Plate over pasta, drizzle with honey, and garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped herbs.

Prepare for a flavor explosion!

Top Tips for Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Brown the chicken briefly before slow cooking to lock in moisture and develop rich, caramelized flavor.
• Shake cream and cornstarch mixture thoroughly to eliminate lumps and ensure smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth to capture all the delicious browned bits, adding extra richness to the dish.
• Modify slow cooker duration based on your specific appliance to prevent overcooking or undercooking chicken.
• Garnish with fresh lemon slices and herbs like parsley or basil to add brightness and visual appeal to the final dish.

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Variations

• Herb-Infused Mediterranean Chicken: Replace Italian seasoning with za'atar and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Zesty Chicken: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch for a lactose-free version.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Remix: Substitute Italian seasoning with Cajun seasoning, add diced bell peppers, and use cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Skip pasta and serve chicken over roasted cauliflower rice, reducing carbohydrate content for keto dieters.

How to Serve Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Perfect Plate Pairings: Pasta Paradise: Serve over al dente linguine or fettuccine for a classic creamy comfort meal.
• Zesty Grain Companion: Spoon the tender chicken and rich sauce over fluffy quinoa or herbed rice for a protein-packed dinner.
• Fresh Side Harmony: Add a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus to balance the creamy chicken's richness.
• Bread Buddy Bonus: Serve with crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up the delicious lemon-garlic sauce.

Storing Lemon Garlic Chicken in Crock Pot

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken remains covered to prevent drying out.
• Carefully transfer chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken in Crock Pot Recipe

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering creamy lemon garlic chicken emerges as a comforting slow cooker classic that simplifies weeknight dinners. Tender chicken infused with zesty citrus and rich garlic promises a delightful meal that will satisfy hungry families and impress dinner guests.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 14 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 13 cup finely diced onion (about 12 a small onion)
• 5 small whole garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and dressing mix powder
• 12 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Finishing and Garnish Ingredients:

• 12 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons 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)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a flavorful base by chopping onions and crushing garlic cloves to release their aromatic essence.
2. Extract fresh lemon juice, ensuring maximum citrusy brightness for the dish.
3. Create a robust cooking liquid in the 6-quart slow cooker by combining chicken broth, zesty lemon juice, whole garlic, diced onions, Italian herbs, and a hint of red pepper flakes.
4. Enhance chicken’s flavor through quick searing. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes, developing a golden exterior without fully cooking the meat.
5. Transfer seared chicken to the slow cooker, maximizing flavor by deglazing the skillet with chicken broth and scraping up caramelized bits.
6. Slow cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours until chicken becomes tender and fully cooked.
7. Extract cooking liquid into a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, concentrating the flavors.
8. Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking heavy cream and cornstarch in a sealed jar until completely integrated.
9. Transform the cooking liquid into a luxurious sauce by whisking the cream mixture into boiling broth, allowing it to thicken for approximately 1 minute.
10. Finish the dish by returning the creamy sauce to the slow cooker, keeping warm. Plate over pasta, drizzle with honey, and garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped herbs for a vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra tenderness and richer flavor compared to chicken breasts.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to enhance the aromatic profile of the dish.
• Reduce cream and use Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.
• Toast cornstarch briefly before mixing with cream to eliminate raw starch taste and improve sauce smoothness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (on High) or 6 hours (on Low)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg