Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs (Crockpot)
Tender and flavorful Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs slow-cooked in a crockpot with fresh lemon zest, garlic, and aromatic herbs. This easy, hands-off recipe ensures juicy, melt-in-your-mouth chicken perfect for busy weeknights or cozy meals, with versatile serving options and family-friendly flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 14 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
Marinade
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or rosemary or oregano)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooking Liquid
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat your chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the seasonings adhere better and ensure even cooking.
- Mix the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, dried herbs, salt, and pepper to create a fragrant marinade that will soak into every bite.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot and pour the marinade over them, turning to coat each piece thoroughly. Pour the chicken broth around the edges to keep the chicken moist while cooking.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Final Touches: For extra color and crispy skin, briefly broil the cooked chicken thighs in the oven. Serve warm with sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
- Dry the skin thoroughly to help it crisp up nicely if finishing under the broiler.
- Use bone-in thighs to maintain juiciness and flavor during slow cooking.
- Don’t skip fresh lemon zest as it adds a bright, fresh punch that bottled lemon juice alone cannot replicate.
- Cook on low for maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
- Reserve some marinade and reduce it to drizzle as a sauce for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, easy dinner, gluten free chicken recipe
Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/lemon-garlic-chicken-thighs-crockpot/