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This Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken turns ordinary chicken breasts into an amazing dinner with tangy citrus hints and rich garlic taste. Slow cooking makes the chicken super tender while Italian seasonings give each bite a wonderful Mediterranean touch.
I first threw this chicken together when I needed something easy during a crazy busy week. The smell that spread through my house had everyone asking when food was ready, and it's now on our dinner lineup at least twice every month.
What You'll Need
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: sliced into thirds or chicken tenders. Smaller cuts cook better and soak up more flavor
- All purpose flour: makes a thin coating that keeps moisture in and thickens your sauce
- Oil or butter: to brown the chicken and build rich taste
- Salt and pepper: bring out the chicken's natural flavors
- Good Seasons Italian dressing mix: gives you the perfect herb blend without measuring lots of different spices
- Minced garlic: brings important savory depth to your meal
- Fresh lemon juice: lifts the whole dish with its tangy zip
- Chicken broth: creates the sauce base while adding rich flavor
How To Make It
- Get Your Chicken Ready:
- Dust the chicken pieces lightly with flour, making sure to tap off extra. This thin coating helps the chicken get nice and brown and will make your sauce thicker later. Set the coated chicken on a plate while you get ready to cook.
- Make It Golden:
- Warm your oil or butter in a big skillet on high until it's hot. Work with half the chicken at a time so the pan isn't crowded, and cook about 3 minutes on each side until you see a golden crust. Add salt and pepper while cooking. Take out the first batch, add more oil if needed, and do the same with the rest.
- Put Everything in the Slow Cooker:
- Move all your browned chicken to the crock pot, laying them flat. Sprinkle Italian dressing mix all over the chicken so each piece gets some flavor. Add the minced garlic, spreading it around.
- Pour Liquids and Start Cooking:
- Add the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice over your chicken. Put the lid on your crock pot and cook on low for about 3 to 3½ hours until the chicken feels tender and isn't pink inside.
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The Italian dressing mix is really the magic ingredient here. I found out how useful it was years ago and now keep many packets in my pantry for quick flavor boosts. Its herb mix means you don't need to measure lots of different spices but still get perfect taste every time.
What To Serve With It
This flexible chicken goes well with so many sides. For a full meal, put it over buttery egg noodles or fluffy white rice to soak up all that yummy sauce. Roasted potatoes and steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans work great too. If you want something lighter, try a fresh green salad and some crusty bread for dipping in the sauce.
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Prep Ahead and Keeping Leftovers
The lemon garlic chicken keeps really well in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. The flavors actually get better overnight as they mix together more. To warm it up, put it in a covered pan with a little chicken broth over medium heat until hot. For keeping it longer, freeze portions in freezer containers for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before warming up.
Simple Twists
Make this into a full one pot dinner by throwing veggies into the crock pot. Baby carrots, chunked red potatoes, or mushrooms work great when added at the start of cooking. For a richer version, mix in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or cream cheese during the last 30 minutes. If you like Mediterranean flavors, toss in 1/2 cup of pitted kalamata olives and 1 tablespoon of capers just before serving.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Will chicken thighs work for this recipe?
Definitely! Chicken thighs actually turn out more succulent while soaking up all the same tasty flavors.
- → Can I throw in some veggies too?
Sure thing. Try adding chunks of carrots, diced potatoes, or fresh green beans for a complete dinner in one pot.
- → What can I use if I'm out of Italian dressing mix?
Just mix up some dried oregano, basil, thyme and a bit of garlic powder as a quick stand-in.
- → How do I make the sauce less runny?
Just take the chicken out when it's done, pour the liquid into a pan, and stir in some cornstarch mixed with water while heating until it gets thicker.
- → Is it possible to make this without a slow cooker?
Sure can! Just combine everything in a big pot and let it cook on low heat until your chicken is soft and fully cooked.