Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

This Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken is a super easy, shockingly good meal. We usually make this for a big Sunday dinner with Easy Roasted Potatoes and Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower . Then I throw the leftovers into wraps, salads, pasta, or even tacos all week long. It's the perfect easy slow cooker chicken recipe. 

The lemon garlic flavor is light and fresh, which works with almost anything. If you need a simple, delicious, and perfect meal for busy days, this one’s it.

What's in this slow cooker chicken recipe?

Here’s a basic list of what you’ll need to make this recipe:

• Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect here. They stay super juicy when cooked low and slow. Feel free to swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs. 
• Garlic cloves and onion: Fresh garlic brings that bold, savory flavor, while the onion brings a slightly sweet flavor.
• Chicken broth: This adds moisture and helps create that flavorful sauce at the bottom of the slow cooker. Low-sodium is a good choice if you want more control over the saltiness.
• Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is best for that bright, fresh flavor. Bottled juice can work in a pinch, but it may taste slightly dull or overly acidic. If you must use bottled, opt for a high-quality, preservative-free option.
• Oregano and cumin: Oregano adds a classic herbaceous note, while cumin brings a warm, earthy depth. Together, they give the chicken that irresistible Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Swap in poultry season for an all in one option.

Would this work with chicken thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great option for the slow cooker since they stay super tender when they are cooked. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs in place of the chicken breasts.

You can also use bone-in chicken thighs, but I recommend removing the skin before cooking. If you decide to leave the skin on, place it under the broiler before serving to brown and crisp up the skin.

Can I add extra vegetables?

If you want to make things easier and cook some veggies right in the slow cooker for a more complete meal, there are a few options. If you choose hearty vegetables like carrots, butternut squash, kale, or potatoes, you can add them right with the chicken.

For quicker cooking, vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, spinach, or green beans - add them in the last 20-30 minutes of cooking so that they don't get mushy and overcooked.

Can I cook this with rice?

Some people like to make a version of this recipe with rice right in the slow cooker. Personally, I am not a huge fan of the texture of rice cooked in the slow cooker, and I find it mushy.

However, you can add rice to this. Add 1 cup of long-grain brown or white rice (not instant) and an extra 1.25 cups of chicken broth to make it with rice.

Can I add herbs?

Definitely! Fresh or dried herbs are a great addition to this recipe. You can use rosemary, thyme, oregano, or other herbs you love.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Making this slow cooker lemon garlic chicken is a breeze! Here's a quick rundown of how to make it:

Add the chicken, sliced garlic, onions, lemon juice, chicken broth, and seasonings to your slow cooker, then let it simmer until the chicken is fall-apart tender and packed with flavor. You can shred or slice it and serve it with your favorite sides!

Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker, insert them the night before, cover them, and refrigerate them. In the morning, just pop the insert into the slow cooker and set it to cook. Alternatively, you can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months—just make sure to store it with some of the sauce to keep it moist when reheating.

How can I get the chicken breasts browned?

If you want to brown the chicken breasts, you can sear them on the outside before adding them to the slow cooker. Just add some olive oil to a hot skillet and brown the chicken for 1-2 minutes on each side before adding it to the slow cooker. This will add some additional flavor, but it does add an extra step.

When I take the time to sear off the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker, I usually serve the chicken breasts sliced or whole instead of shredded. This is a nice presentation for a fancier dinner or party.

Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

This slow cooker garlic lemon chicken can easily be made in the Instant Pot instead. If the chicken is fresh, simply set the Instant Pot to 6 minutes and then let it manually release.

If the chicken breasts are frozen, set the Instant Pot to 10 minutes and let it manually release.

Can I make a creamy version? What about a Parmesan Lemon Garlic Chicken?

Many people like to make a creamy version of this crockpot garlic lemon chicken. There are two ways to add a creaminess factor. The first is to simply stir in 1/2 cup of reduced-fat cream cheese and about 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Remove the chicken to chop or shred. Then add the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker and whisk until a creamy sauce forms.

If you prefer a cream-based sauce, you can add about 1/4-1/3 cup of half and half to the chicken. If you are eating a low carb, keto, Paleo, or Whole30 diet, you can add some butter for richness. Stir it into the warm liquid.

Some Ways to Serve this Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

Since the flavors of lemon and garlic are so versatile, there are almost endless ways to serve this dish. As I mentioned, it makes really amazing leftovers and works great for meal prep, so I recommend making a double or triple batch and getting more than one meal out of the crockpot dish.

• Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta: I almost always use this leftover chicken in a quick and easy pasta dish. Simply cook your favorite pasta (we use whole wheat or high fiber). While cooking the pasta, saute some broccoli with sliced cherry tomatoes (or drained canned diced tomatoes) in a touch of olive oil. Add the leftover lemon garlic chicken and cooked pasta to the dish. Add in 1/2 cup reduced fat cream cheese, about 1/4 cup of pasta cooking liquid (or chicken broth), and stir until a sauce forms. Top with Parmesan cheese and extra lemon.
• Grain bowls: We eat a ton of grain bowls for lunches since they are easy to prep ahead of time. This one is especially delicious since the sauce from the chicken will flavor the grains. Start by choosing your favorite cooked grain (brown rice, quinoa, white rice, farro, couscous) or cauliflower rice. Then add the lemon garlic chicken and some steamed or roasted veggies. Top with a sprinkling of Parmesan or feta cheese and some extra fresh lemon juice.
• Wraps: Wraps are an easy, quick option for lunches. Just grab a low-carb wrap or whole wheat wrap, and add the chicken, greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and some feta cheese. Then, I like to drizzle everything with some balsamic vinegar.

Side Dish Ideas for Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Lemon garlic chicken pairs well with all kinds of side dishes, from roasted potatoes to mashed cauliflower to creamy polenta and noodles. Here are some favorites in our house:

• The Best Mashed Cauliflower: Anything that soaks up the sauce is a great option for this easy chicken dish. This light and healthy mashed cauliflower is a low carb and healthy option.
• Creamy Spinach Polenta: Another option great for soaking up the lemon garlic sauce is polenta. This lightened-up option with spinach works great with the lemon and garlic in the sauce.
• Parmesan Roasted Broccoli: My whole family gobbles this recipe up every time we make it, and Parmesan and lemon garlic chicken are natural pairs.
• Roasted Acorn Squash: Since the chicken is bright and fresh, I like to pair it with something sweeter like roasted acorn squash!
• Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash: This cozy side dish pairs perfectly with the lemon flavor in this dish.
• Easy Mediterranean Salad: The fresh lemon juice in this side dish complements the lemon in the chicken for a Mediterranean-inspired meal!
• Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl: The fresh, vibrant flavors of quinoa, hummus, and Mediterranean spices perfectly balance the rich, savory taste of lemon, garlic, and tender chicken.