Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken: A Delicious and Effortless Meal

Imagine coming home after a long day to the aroma of a perfectly cooked, creamy, and flavorful chicken dish. That’s the magic of this Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken recipe. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, requires minimal effort, and delivers a restaurant-quality meal that your whole family will love. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend gatherings. The slow cooker does all the work, infusing the chicken with bright lemon, fragrant herbs, and a luscious creamy sauce. Get ready to enjoy a comforting and satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Cooking: Simply toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do its thing.
• Incredible Flavor: The combination of lemon, herbs, and cream creates a vibrant and delicious taste.
• Tender and Juicy Chicken: The slow cooking process ensures that the chicken is incredibly moist and tender.
• Minimal Cleanup: One-pot cooking means less washing up!
• Versatile: Serve it over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or with your favorite vegetables.
• Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will enjoy this creamy and flavorful chicken.
• Make-Ahead Meal: Prepare it in the morning and have a delicious dinner waiting for you when you get home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken: About 2.5 – 3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (or a mix of both). Using chicken thighs will result in a more flavorful and juicy dish, but chicken breasts are a leaner option.
• Lemon: 1 large lemon, zested and juiced. The zest adds a bright, aromatic flavor, while the juice provides acidity to balance the richness of the cream.
• Garlic: 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic provides a pungent and savory base for the flavor profile.
• Herbs: 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs, chopped (such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, and oregano). Fresh herbs are preferred for their vibrant flavor, but dried herbs can be used in a pinch (use about 1-2 teaspoons).
• Chicken Broth: 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth. The broth adds moisture and helps to create the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup of heavy cream. The cream adds richness and creates a luscious, velvety sauce. For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or Greek yogurt, but the sauce will be less thick and rich.
• Butter: 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Used for searing the chicken (optional, but recommended for added flavor and texture).
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Season generously to enhance the flavors of the dish.
• Optional Ingredients:
  • Onion: 1/2 onion, chopped, can be added for extra flavor.
  • Mushrooms: 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms can be added for a more substantial dish.
  • Spinach: A few handfuls of fresh spinach can be stirred in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Sun-dried Tomatoes: 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped, can add a burst of intense flavor.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot): A 6-quart or larger slow cooker is recommended.
• Large Skillet (Optional): For searing the chicken.
• Cutting Board: For chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Knife: For chopping and mincing.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurement.
• Lemon Zester and Juicer: For the lemon zest and juice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken (Optional)

While this step is optional, searing the chicken breasts beforehand adds a nice depth of flavor and a slightly browned exterior. It also helps to lock in the juices. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and go straight to Step 2.

1. Pat the chicken dry: Use paper towels to pat the chicken breasts dry. This will help them to brown better.
2. Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the olive oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the chicken: Carefully place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you may need to sear the chicken in batches.
5. Remove the chicken: Remove the seared chicken breasts from the skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker: Place the seared (or un-seared) chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Add the garlic and herbs: Sprinkle the minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs over the chicken.
3. Add the lemon zest and juice: Zest the lemon directly over the chicken, then squeeze the juice of the lemon over the chicken.
4. Pour in the chicken broth: Pour the chicken broth over the chicken.
5. Add butter: Place the butter in small pieces around the chicken.
6. (Optional) Add vegetables: If using onion and/or mushrooms, add them to the slow cooker now.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

1. Cover and cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. The cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker and the thickness of the chicken breasts.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken and Add the Cream

1. Remove the chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.
2. Shred the chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
3. Return the chicken to the slow cooker: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
4. Stir in the heavy cream: Stir in the heavy cream until well combined.
5. (Optional) Add spinach: If using spinach, stir it in now and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.
6. Season to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

1. Serve hot: Serve the Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken hot over your choice of rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or vegetables.
2. Garnish (Optional): Garnish with fresh parsley or a lemon wedge.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. Cook until the chicken is easily shredded with a fork.
• Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but dried herbs can be used in a pinch.
• Adjust the lemon to your taste: If you prefer a more tart flavor, add more lemon juice. If you prefer a milder flavor, use less.
• Don’t add the cream too early: Adding the cream too early can cause it to curdle. Add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Thicken the sauce (optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Use a slow cooker liner: For easy cleanup, use a slow cooker liner.

Serving Suggestions

This Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken is incredibly versatile and can be served in many different ways. Here are a few suggestions:

• Over Rice: Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
• With Pasta: Toss it with your favorite pasta, such as fettuccine, linguine, or penne.
• Over Mashed Potatoes: Spoon it over creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting and satisfying meal.
• With Vegetables: Serve it with roasted vegetables, steamed vegetables, or a simple side salad.
• In Sandwiches or Wraps: Shred the chicken and use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.
• As a Pizza Topping: Use the shredded chicken as a topping for homemade pizza.

Variations

Here are a few variations you can try to customize this recipe to your liking:

• Creamy Pesto Chicken: Replace the fresh herbs with 1/4 cup of pesto.
• Creamy Tomato Chicken: Add a can of diced tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken: Add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms and 1/4 cup of dry sherry.
• Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Spicy Creamy Chicken: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Store leftover Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. If reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent it from drying out.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)

• Calories: 350-450 per serving
• Protein: 30-40 grams
• Fat: 20-30 grams
• Carbohydrates: 5-10 grams

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken recipe is a true winner. It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with a delicious and satisfying meal that your whole family will enjoy. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy a truly effortless and flavorful dinner!