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–+ servings
Creamy Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Creamy Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

An incredibly tender, juicy chicken breast recipe bathed in a luscious, bright lemon-garlic cream sauce. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, transforming simple ingredients into a truly elegant dish that's easy enough for any weeknight.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 5 serving
Calories: 465
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg (2.43 lb)
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g / 3 oz) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g / 0.09 oz) kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 g / 0.04 oz) coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g / 0.18 oz) Italian seasoning
  • 2 large lemons, zested and juiced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g / 0.53 oz) chicken base, optional
  • for Success
  • For the brightest, most vibrant flavor, always use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh zest. The bottled variety simply can't compare.
  • To ensure a silky smooth sauce, temper the cream mixture. Whisk a few spoonfuls of the hot liquid from the slow cooker into the cream before pouring it all in. This prevents the dairy from curdling from the temperature shock.
  • This dish is perfect for serving over pasta, rice, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every last drop of the delicious lemon sauce.

Method
 

  1. Directions
  2. Season the chicken breasts on all sides with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  3. In a large cast-iron skillet, melt 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of butter over medium-high heat.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 4-6 minutes per side, until a rich, golden-brown crust forms.
  5. Transfer the seared chicken to your slow cooker.
  6. Scatter the lemon zest, minced garlic, and the remaining 5 tablespoons (75 ml / 2.5 fl oz) of butter (cut into pieces) over the chicken.
  7. Pour the fresh lemon juice on top.
  8. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  9. In a separate bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, heavy cream, and optional chicken base until smooth.
  10. Pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker and stir gently to combine with the cooking liquids.
  11. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 30-60 minutes, or until the sauce has warmed through and slightly thickened.
  12. Serve immediately, spooning the extra sauce over the chicken.
  13. Don't skip the sear!
  14. Searing the chicken before slow cooking creates a deep, caramelized flavor in both the chicken and the final sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 50gFat: 21g

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