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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare a flavorful base by chopping onions and crushing garlic cloves to release their aromatic essence.
- Extract fresh lemon juice, ensuring maximum citrusy brightness for the dish.
- 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.
- 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.
- Transfer seared chicken to the slow cooker, maximizing flavor by deglazing the skillet with chicken broth and scraping up caramelized bits.
- Slow cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours until chicken becomes tender and fully cooked.
- Extract cooking liquid into a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, concentrating the flavors.
- Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking heavy cream and cornstarch in a sealed jar until completely integrated.
- Transform the cooking liquid into a luxurious sauce by whisking the cream mixture into boiling broth, allowing it to thicken for approximately 1 minute.
- 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