Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken (Printable)
Tender lemon herb chicken slow-cooked to perfection over fluffy rice for a comforting meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
→ For the Fluffy Rice
14 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
15 - 1 ¾ cups water or chicken broth
16 - ½ teaspoon salt
17 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
# How to Make:
01 - Combine salt, black pepper, dried oregano, thyme, and basil. Rub seasoning mixture evenly over all chicken thighs.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to slow cooker.
03 - Scatter minced garlic, chopped onion, lemon zest, and lemon juice over the browned chicken in the slow cooker.
04 - Pour chicken broth over the chicken. Add honey if using for balanced flavor.
05 - Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours until chicken is tender and reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Thirty minutes before chicken finishes, combine rinsed rice, water or broth, salt, and butter in a saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes.
07 - Remove rice from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork.
08 - Place chicken over fluffy rice. Spoon cooking juices over the top and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Set it and forget it cooking gives you tender, falling apart chicken with almost zero effort
- The lemon herb sauce creates its own rich gravy thats perfect over fluffy rice
02 -
- Skip the browning step if you are rushing, but you will lose that deep savory flavor from the fond
- Let the rice rest for the full 5 minutes or it will turn gummy and sticky
03 -
- Rinse your rice until the water runs clear for perfectly separate grains every time
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to get the best possible sear