Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs – A Tender, Flavor-Packed Dinner That Practically Cooks Itself

If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful chicken dinner that requires almost no effort and guarantees melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs is the recipe you didn’t know you needed. This simple yet luxurious dish combines juicy chicken thighs, rich butter, fragrant garlic, and bright fresh lemon to create a silky, irresistible sauce that soaks beautifully into rice, potatoes, or pasta.

Best of all? Your slow cooker handles almost all the work. This is the kind of recipe you prep in 10 minutes, walk away from, and return to an incredible home-cooked meal packed with aroma and flavor. Whether you’re feeding a family, meal-prepping for the week, or need a cozy dinner after a long day, this recipe fits perfectly.

Let’s dive into the how, why, and delicious details.

Why Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Work So Well

1. Chicken Thighs Stay Juicy

Unlike chicken breasts, thighs maintain moisture during long cooking times, making them ideal for slow-cooked meals.

2. Garlic + Butter = Flavor Explosion

Garlic slowly infuses the butter as the chicken cooks, creating a silky, aromatic sauce that’s restaurant-worthy.

3. Lemon Brightens Everything

Fresh lemon juice and slices cut through richness, balancing the dish beautifully.

4. Slow Cooker Convenience

Minimal prep. No babysitting. Foolproof. This is perfect for busy nights.

5. Extremely Versatile

Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, quinoa, couscous — the sauce complements everything.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

Chicken Thigh Ingredients

• 2.5–3 lbs bone-in or boneless chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Lemon slices (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken:
   Pat thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
2. Add to Slow Cooker:
   Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the slow cooker.
3. Make the Sauce:
   Whisk melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth. Pour over chicken.
4. Add Lemon Slices (Optional):
   Lay a few slices on top for extra aroma.
5. Slow Cook:
   Cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours until tender.
6. Finish and Serve:
   Taste and adjust seasoning. Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

Tender slow-cooked chicken thighs simmered in a rich lemon-garlic butter sauce for an easy, flavorful dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken Thighs

• 3 lbs chicken thighs bone-in or boneless
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 4 tbsp butter melted
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lemon zested and juiced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• lemon slices optional
• fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
2. Place chicken into the slow cooker in a single layer.
3. Whisk melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and broth. Pour over chicken.
4. Add lemon slices on top if desired.
5. Cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours until tender.
6. Garnish with parsley, spoon sauce over chicken, and serve.

Notes

For deeper flavor, brown the chicken before adding to the slow cooker.

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Brown the Thighs First (Optional but Amazing)

Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds a deeper flavor and golden color.

Use Fresh Lemon

Bottled lemon juice lacks brightness and can make the sauce overly acidic.

Don’t Skip the Butter

It creates a silky sauce and helps prevent dryness.

Check Liquid Levels

Chicken releases juices — don’t add too much broth or the sauce will be thin.

Variations

1. Creamy Lemon Chicken

Stir in ½ cup heavy cream at the end.

2. Herb-Forward Version

Add fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano.

3. Spicy Version

Add red pepper flakes or sliced chili peppers.

4. Broth Swap

Use vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.

5. Veggie Add-Ins

Carrots, potatoes, green beans, or mushrooms cook well with the chicken.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve over buttery mashed potatoes
• Spoon onto rice or orzo for a complete bowl
• Pair with roasted vegetables
• Serve with warm crusty bread to soak up sauce
• Add a green salad for freshness

Storage + Reheating

• Refrigerator: 3–4 days
• Freezer: Up to 2 months
• Reheat: Heat gently with added broth so sauce doesn’t reduce too much

Why This Recipe Always Impresses

This dish is the perfect balance of buttery richness, bright citrus, and savory garlic. Every bite is tender, juicy, and infused with flavor. Best of all, the slow cooker ensures consistent results every time — making it a reliable recipe for gatherings, meal-prep, or casual weeknight dinners.

If you love simple but bold flavors, this Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken is the kind of recipe you’ll return to over and over again.