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Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

The ultimate comfort food, this Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken is a zesty and savory dish that cooks itself. With tender chicken and bright lemon flavors, it’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner. You’ll want to make it again and again!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 335

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 3 Tbsp capers, drained

Equipment

  • 6-qt Slow Cooker
  • 10-inch Skillet

Method
 

  1. Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil to the pan. Once hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Sear for about two minutes on each side until they develop a lovely golden color. This step locks in the juices and adds flavor.
  2. Once the chicken is nicely browned, transfer it to your 6-qt slow cooker. It’s okay if it’s not cooked through yet; it will finish cooking in the slow cooker.
  3. Next, sprinkle the Italian dressing mix evenly over the chicken. This will infuse the dish with a fantastic savory flavor.
  4. Now it’s time to add the remaining ingredients. Place the crushed garlic, butter, drained capers, fresh lemon juice, and chicken stock into the slow cooker. Make sure everything is spread out evenly.
  5. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set it to cook on low heat for six hours. During this time, the flavors will meld, and the chicken will become incredibly tender.
  6. After six hours, check the chicken for doneness. It should be tender and easily shredded with a fork. The juices should be bubbling and fragrant. If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 165°F.
  7. Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps to keep it juicy!
  8. Serve the Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken over rice or alongside your favorite vegetables. Spoon some of the sauce over the top for extra flavor.
  9. Enjoy the deliciousness of your hard work! This recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.

Notes

  • You can use any chicken that you have on hand: Boneless or bone-in chicken both work fine.
  • Frozen chicken works well: You can use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe.
  • Skipping the browning: You can skip browning the chicken if you’re short on time.
  • Do NOT make the dressing: Just use the seasoning packet from the Italian dressing mix.
  • Cooking on HIGH: You can cook the chicken on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours in the slow cooker.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.