Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish perfect for busy weeknights. The chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a zesty lemon-garlic marinade infused with oregano and thyme, resulting in juicy, aromatic meat that pairs beautifully with a side of rice or a fresh salad. Simple to prepare and full of vibrant flavors, this recipe brings a fresh Mediterranean touch to your dinner table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes (slow low) / 3 hours 30 minutes (slow high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes (slow low) / 3 hours 40 minutes (slow high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish & Serving
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Optional: Lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined, creating a fragrant and tangy sauce.
- Place chicken in slow cooker: Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the marinade: Pour the lemon-garlic mixture over the chicken breasts, ensuring each piece is well coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Cook slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked, tender, and easily shredded with a fork.
- Garnish and serve: Once cooked, serve the chicken breasts garnished with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices. Pair with rice or a light salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh lemons to maximize the bright citrus flavor.
- You can substitute chicken thighs if preferred; they will remain juicy and tender.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken after cooking and simmer the liquid on stove until slightly reduced.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, quinoa, or crusty bread as alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, lemon garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, Mediterranean chicken, healthy slow cooker meal
