Easy Crockpot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
A simple, hands-off slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs infused with bright lemon, savory garlic, and rich butter flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- Juice of 2 medium lemons (about 1/4 cup)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to improve skin texture.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken broth, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side up in the crockpot in a single layer.
- Pour the garlic butter lemon sauce evenly over the chicken, distributing garlic bits.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until chicken is tender and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- If sauce is too thin, remove lid and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes to reduce.
- Optional: Transfer chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 3-4 minutes to crisp the skin, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry improves skin texture. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for best flavor. Broiling at the end crisps the skin but is optional. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to prevent drying out. Sauce can be thickened by simmering on stovetop after cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 25
- Protein: 22
Keywords: crockpot chicken, lemon garlic chicken, slow cooker chicken thighs, easy dinner, garlic butter chicken, lemon chicken recipe, crockpot dinner