This slow cooker lemon chicken pretty much makes itself, and produces incredibly juicy, tender chicken thighs with Mediterranean flavours.
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Ingredients
- Chicken thighs - use bone-in skin on chicken thighs for the most juicy, succulent chicken.
- Lemon - this is the main flavour component.
- Dried oregano and thyme - don't forget to season!
You will also need a slow cooker!
How to make slow cooker lemon chicken
Add chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Squeeze over half a lemon, and over sprinkle thyme and oregano. Add a few lemon slices on top. Put on the lid, and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
After cooking, remove the chicken skins, or transfer to a roasting tin and move to the oven. Roast for about 10 minutes on a high temperature to crisp the skins up. The chicken skin turns soft and soggy in the slow cooker, and I recommend roasting it for the skins to crisp up. If not, you can skip this step and simply discard the chicken skins.
Serving suggestions
This dish is super versatile, and you can serve it with any of your favorite side dishes. Try chickpea salad, Greek pasta salad or orzo salad for a fresh and light alternative.
You can also serve it with roast vegetables, sweet potato fries, lemon and garlic rice or roasted potatoes for a more hearty alternative.
Tips and substitutions
My best tips to get this recipe perfect!
- Use skin-on, bone in chicken for the juiciest, best slow cooked chicken.
- Discard the skins after cooking if you don't like them, or roast the chicken with skin on for a few minutes to make them crispy.
- Try adding other seasonings if you want to change it up. You can also use fresh herbs instead of the dry versions.
Storing leftovers
Leftover slow cooker lemon chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave until hot before serving.
Alternatively, you can shred the leftover chicken and use it in soups or salads.
More slow cooker chicken recipes
- Slow cooker chicken adobo - A Filipino specialty with lots of flavour; super easy to make!
- Slow cooker soy and honey chicken - Salty and sweet marinade meets juicy chicken in this easy classic.
- Slow cooker apricot chicken - Sweet, tender chicken with crispy skin. A family favourite!
- 12 Slow cooker shredded chicken recipes - Browse this collection of delicious shredded chicken recipes all made in your slow cooker.
Recipe
Slow cooker lemon chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken thighs
- 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt, pepper
Instructions
- Add raw chicken thighs to your slow cooker
- Drizzle the juice of half a lemon over the fillets
- Cook on low setting for 4-6 hours
- Before serving, remove and discard chicken skins, or roast the chicken thigh fillets in the oven
Roasting the chicken fillets
- Pre-heat the oven to 230°C
- Add the chicken thigh fillets to a roasting tin or baking tray, and roast in the oven until the skins are looking slightly browned and crispy. This takes about 10 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes
Notes
- Use skin-on, bone in chicken for the juiciest, best slow cooked chicken.
- Discard the skins after cooking if you don’t like them, or roast the chicken with skin on for a few minutes to make them crispy.
- Try adding other seasonings if you want to change it up. You can also use fresh herbs instead of the dry versions.
Jess
I didn't realize that I was hungry until I started reading this post! Wow does this recipe sound good right now!
Tonje
Thank you! I'm glad you like it!
Mahy
After reading through your blog, I got super hungry. And I had some plans for tonight but hey, I've got to make another run and get some chicken because tonight I am having chicken, there is just no way around it! 🙂
Tonje
Aw thank you! Chicken is an excellent choice, I love it!
Traci
Chicken thighs are my absolute fav part of the chicken. So few ingredients yet so much flavor! This one's a keeper...thanks for sharing 🙂
Tonje
I wholeheartedly agree, it's super yummy and very easy to cook 🙂
Anonymous
That sure looks delicious! A great meal on a weeknight!
Tonje
Absolutely! I love making delicious food in a short amount of time!