Ezoic Recipe
Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken is a comforting and elegant dish combining tender chicken breasts with a rich, tangy lemon cream sauce infused with garlic, thyme, and fresh parsley. This easy-to-make recipe uses a slow cooker to tenderize the chicken while infusing it with layered flavors, creating a perfect balance of zesty brightness and creamy texture for a satisfying weeknight or weekend meal.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse basic savory flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Sear each side of the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden. This step seals in juices and adds flavor.
- Prepare Slow Cooker and Add Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken breasts into the slow cooker evenly.
- Mix and Pour Sauce Base: In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and dried thyme. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker to flavor and tenderize.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, whisk cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir the slurry and heavy cream into the slow cooker, then continue cooking uncovered to thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is tender, serve with sauce spooned over each breast. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness.
Notes
- To make this dish dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Add vegetables like mushrooms, baby spinach, or artichoke hearts during the last hour for added nutrition and flavor.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier texture and will hold up well in slow cooking.
- Herb variations like rosemary, basil, or oregano can be substituted for thyme based on preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if sauce thickens too much.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, creamy lemon chicken, lemon chicken recipe, easy slow cooker dinner, Mediterranean chicken, creamy chicken dish, lemon cream sauce