Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

A simple and flavorful slow cooker recipe for lemon garlic chicken thighs that yields tender chicken with a delightful sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

4 pieces Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs Boneless works too, just cooks a little faster.
2 each Lemons Use juice and zest if time allows; fresh is preferred over bottled.
6 cloves Garlic, minced or grated Fresh garlic is preferred; garlic powder can be a substitute.
1 cup Chicken broth Water can be used, but broth adds better flavor.
2 tablespoons Butter or olive oil Butter gives a richer sauce; olive oil keeps it lighter.
1 teaspoon Salt Regular seasoning.
1 teaspoon Black pepper Regular seasoning.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Regular seasoning.
1/2 teaspoon Paprika For color.

Method

Preparation

Add sliced lemon at the bottom of the Crock Pot.
Nestle in the chicken thighs and season well with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Pour chicken broth over the chicken, and add minced garlic and butter.

Cooking

Cook on low for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and easy to pull apart.
For crispy skin, transfer the cooked thighs to a sheet pan and broil for a couple of minutes.

Notes

Do not go wild with the lemon at the start if sensitive to tang. Adjust heat levels with red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce as desired. The sauce at the bottom can be seasoned with additional butter or lemon before serving. Chicken is good for meal prep and tastes better as leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days; can be frozen for up to 3 months.