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If you’ve been searching for a dish that’s bursting with bright, velvety flavors without demanding hours of your time, then this Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken Recipe will become your new best friend. Tender chicken breasts simmered gently in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce come together perfectly in the slow cooker, delivering a harmonious blend of zesty freshness, comforting creaminess, and herb-kissed warmth that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s an ideal recipe to prep ahead, relax, and then enjoy incredible, homemade goodness waiting for you when dinner time rolls around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken Recipe are simple yet incredibly purposeful. Each contributes either a burst of flavor, a touch of richness, or that unmistakable freshness that makes this dish something truly special.
- Chicken Breasts (1 kg, halved): The star of the show—juicy, tender, and perfect for soaking up the creamy lemon sauce.
 - Salt (1 tsp): Essential to balance and heighten all the flavors.
 - Pepper (1/2 tsp): Adds a gentle subtle heat to the dish.
 - Dried Basil, Oregano, and Rosemary (1 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1/2 tsp): These herbs infuse the chicken with a fragrant, Mediterranean-inspired aroma.
 - Butter (14 g + 55 g cubed): Provides that beautiful golden sear and adds richness when melting into the sauce.
 - Lemon Juice (1/4 cup, 60 ml): The key for a bright, zesty punch to keep the dish vibrant.
 - Lemon Zest (2 heaped tbsp): Packs an extra lemony aroma that wakes up every bite.
 - Garlic Cloves (2, crushed): Pungent and savory, giving the sauce a delicious savory base.
 - Onion Powder (1 tsp): Adds depth without overpowering the delicate lemon flavors.
 - Chicken Stock (1 1/2 cups, 375 ml): Builds the flavorful liquid foundation that keeps the chicken moist and tender.
 - Cornflour (1 tbsp): Used at the end to thicken the sauce into that perfect creamy texture.
 - Cream (1/2 cup, 125 ml): Gives the sauce its indulgent, dreamy creaminess that complements the lemon’s tang perfectly.
 
How to Make Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Start by halving your chicken breasts and tossing them in salt and pepper—this simple seasoning is crucial for enhancing the natural flavor of the chicken. Then, mix your dried basil, oregano, and rosemary together, and sprinkle about a teaspoon and a half over the chicken to infuse it with an irresistible herbal aroma. This little step sets the foundation for all the bold flavors to come.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat 14 grams of butter in a frying pan, then brown the chicken in batches for about three minutes on each side until it just turns golden. This quick sear locks in juicy flavor and adds a delightful, appetizing color that makes the final dish worth drooling over. Once browned, transfer the chicken straight into your slow cooker, ensuring you don’t lose any of those gorgeous buttery crusts.
Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Herb Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the crushed garlic, onion powder, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken stock, and the remaining dried herbs. This tangy, herbaceous sauce will pour beautifully over the chicken in the slow cooker, creating the perfect bath for it to slowly cook and soak up every bit of flavor.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Pour your lemon sauce over the chicken then dot the top with the remaining cubed butter. Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for four hours or LOW for six hours. Be sure to turn the chicken once or twice during cooking; this keeps the chicken tender but prevents it from breaking apart. The slow cooker does all the magic here—transforming simple ingredients into something melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Set an alarm for half an hour before the cooking finishes. Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside. Take about a quarter cup of the cooking liquid and mix it with cornflour until smooth. Stir this mixture back into the slow cooker along with the cream. Whisk the sauce lovingly and return the chicken to be gently coated in this creamy, tangy sauce. Let it heat through for 30 minutes for that decadent finish.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A quick sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness, perfectly complementing the rich cream sauce. A lemon wedge on the side also brightens the plate and lets everyone add an extra squeeze of zing if they want.
Side Dishes
This dish shines over simple starches like fluffy rice or silky spaghetti, which soak up the luscious sauce beautifully. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is an excellent choice, providing texture without competing with the flavors. If you prefer to keep things light, serve it with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the chicken over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or buttery polenta for a comforting twist. For dinner parties, carve the chicken into slices and arrange it elegantly on a large platter, drizzled generously with the creamy lemon sauce—guaranteed to impress and invite compliments.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After dinner, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken will keep well for up to three days, and the sauce will thicken as it cools, making it even easier to reheat and serve.
Freezing
This Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken Recipe freezes beautifully. Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture and flavor retention.
Reheating
Warm the leftovers gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from separating. If it looks a bit thick, add a splash of cream or chicken stock to bring it back to that luscious, saucy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a slightly richer flavor and stay incredibly tender with slow cooking, so feel free to swap them in if you prefer dark meat.
Is the sauce prone to separating?
Sometimes the cream sauce may look like it’s separating as it cools or reheats, but a good whisk before serving will bring it back to that luscious, smooth texture you desire.
Can I make this recipe without butter?
While butter adds wonderful richness and helps with searing and sauce texture, you can substitute it with olive oil for a lighter version, though the flavor will differ slightly.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and use coconut cream or a dairy-free cream substitute instead of regular cream. The lemon and herbs will still shine beautifully.
What’s the best way to thicken the sauce if I don’t have cornflour?
You can use all-purpose flour or arrowroot powder as alternatives to cornflour, but adjust the quantity accordingly (usually a bit less for arrowroot).
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken Recipe is a true game-changer for anyone who loves meals that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen but didn’t. The balance of creamy, tangy, and herb-infused flavors creates a comforting yet vibrant dish you’ll want to make again and again. Trust me, once you try this, it will become your go-to slow cooker recipe to impress family and friends without any fuss.
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PrintSlow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Chicken is a tender, flavorful dish made with halved chicken breasts, infused with lemon juice, zest, and aromatic herbs. Seared to a golden finish before slow cooking, it’s finished off in a rich and creamy lemon sauce, making it perfect for a comforting and effortless meal served over rice, spaghetti, or cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
 - Cook Time: 4 hours (HIGH) or 6 hours (LOW) plus 30 minutes finishing
 - Total Time: approximately 4.75 hours (HIGH) or 6.75 hours (LOW)
 - Yield: 4 to 6 servings
 - Category: Main Course
 - Method: Slow Cooking
 - Cuisine: American
 
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 Kilogram Chicken Breasts, halved
 - 1 teaspoon Salt
 - 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
 - 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
 - 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
 - 1/2 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
 - 14 grams Butter (for searing)
 
Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice (60 mL)
 - 2 Heaped Tablespoons Lemon Zest
 - 2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
 - 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
 - 1 1/2 Cups Chicken Stock (375 mL)
 - 55 Grams Butter, cubed (for slow cooker)
 - 1 Tablespoon Cornflour
 - 1/2 Cup Cream (125 mL)
 
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Halve the chicken breasts and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the mixed dried herbs (basil, oregano, rosemary). Toss to coat the chicken evenly in the seasoning.
 - Sear the Chicken: In a frying pan, melt 14 grams of butter over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts in batches for about 3 minutes on each side until they turn just golden. This step locks in flavor and texture.
 - Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the seared chicken into a large slow cooker (6 liters capacity recommended).
 - Make Lemon Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together crushed garlic, onion powder, lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken stock, and the remaining dried herbs until combined.
 - Add Sauce and Butter: Pour the lemon herb mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the 55 grams of cubed butter on top of the chicken, then cover with the lid.
 - Slow Cook: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6 hours. Turn the chicken one or two times during cooking to ensure even tenderness without falling apart.
 - Prepare Thickened Sauce: About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set aside. Remove 1/4 cup of cooking liquid, whisk in the cornflour until smooth, then stir this back into the lemon sauce along with the cream. Whisk well to combine.
 - Finish and Serve: Return the chicken to the sauce, stirring gently to coat. Allow to heat through on low for an additional 30 minutes. Serve over rice, spaghetti, cauliflower rice, or enjoy on its own. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
 
Notes
- Turning the chicken during slow cooking helps to keep it tender without breaking apart.
 - The sauce may appear separated; simply whisk it before serving for a smooth finish.
 - Best served fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently.
 - Add fresh parsley or a lemon wedge for bright, fresh flavors.
 - This recipe works well with rice, pasta, or a low-carb alternative like cauliflower rice.
 
