If you’re craving a weeknight dinner that’s pure comfort yet bursting with lively, bright flavors, you simply have to try this Lemon Garlic Butter Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe. Succulent chicken thighs are seared for that irresistible golden skin, then slow-cooked to perfection in a luscious, lemony garlic butter sauce that infuses every moist bite with richness and zing. It’s a dish that beautifully straddles cozy and refreshing, turning everyday ingredients into a meal worthy of your favorite people. This is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself craving every time you want easy, hands-off cooking that doesn’t skimp on flavor!

Lemon Garlic Butter Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for lemon garlic butter crock pot chicken thighs recipe is a breeze, and each one plays its own important role in building flavor, texture, and that show-stopping aroma. Sometimes, it really is the everyday staples that give the most unforgettable results.

Chicken thighs: Opt for bone-in, skin-on thighs—they’re juicier, more flavorful, and the skin crisps up beautifully after a quick sear.
Salt: Essential for unlocking and amplifying all the savory depth in the chicken.
Black pepper: Adds a pop of peppery kick to balance the richness.
Paprika: Lends a subtle smokiness and delivers that gorgeous golden color.
Olive oil: Perfect for searing and getting that crave-worthy crispy skin.
Butter: The secret to a silky, decadent sauce—don’t skip the melting step for easy mixing!
Garlic: Four fresh cloves, minced, to make that garlic aroma sing.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is a must for tangy vibrancy and brightness.
Lemon zest: Zest adds even more fragrant lemon essence than the juice alone.
Italian seasoning: A sprinkle of this blend brings herbaceous notes that pair perfectly with chicken and citrus.
Chicken broth: Gives body to the sauce and keeps everything moist as it cooks low and slow.
Fresh parsley (optional): A burst of color and freshness for the prettiest final touch.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Begin by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels—this helps get that golden, crisp skin. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Rubbing the spices in ensures every bite is perfectly seasoned and loaded with both depth and color.

Step 2: Sear for Golden Skin

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add your seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down. Let them sizzle away undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin is beautifully browned and crisp. Flip and cook the other side for another 2 minutes, locking in moisture and adding a deep savory base to the lemon garlic butter crock pot chicken thighs recipe.

Step 3: Arrange in the Crock Pot

Transfer your sizzling chicken thighs into the slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer. This way, every thigh gets a full dose of that soon-to-be decadent sauce and cooks evenly for maximum juiciness.

Step 4: Whisk the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small measuring bowl, whisk together your melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth. This brilliant combo is the heart of the recipe—the sauce seeps into the chicken as it slow-cooks, infusing every bite with bright, buttery, garlicky flavor.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Pour that fragrant sauce over the chicken in the crock pot, cover, and set to cook. Go for 6 to 7 hours on low for the juiciest results, or 3 to 4 hours on high if you’re in a pinch. Your kitchen will start to smell absolutely amazing as the flavors meld and the chicken becomes fall-off-the-bone tender.

Step 6: Optional—Broil for Extra Crisp

If you love ultra-crispy chicken skin, set your oven broiler to high. Remove the thighs from the slow cooker once cooked, lay them skin-side up on a baking sheet, and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until perfectly golden and crisp. Don’t forget to spoon that luscious lemon garlic butter sauce over the top and finish with a shower of fresh parsley!

How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

Garnishes

The finishing touches matter! A sprinkle of fresh parsley not only gives your platter a pop of color but brings a hint of herbal freshness that brightens up the whole dish. A few extra lemon wedges on the side are perfect for those who love an extra squeeze of citrus zing at the table.

Side Dishes

This chicken is a natural with mashed cauliflower for a low-carb dinner, or a fluffy bowl of rice to soak up all that buttery sauce. Roasted vegetables work beautifully too—think carrots, asparagus, or green beans. Basically, anything that loves to mingle with a little lemon-garlic goodness will shine alongside the main event.

Creative Ways to Present

For a family-style dinner, lay the chicken thighs out on a big platter, pour over plenty of sauce, and scatter with parsley. If you want individual presentations, serve each thigh over a bed of sautéed greens or herbed couscous, spooning sauce over each plate. For a cozy twist, try shredding the chicken and mixing it into buttered noodles or even stuffing it in a toasted sandwich roll with a drizzle of that incredible sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover lemon garlic butter crock pot chicken thighs recipe keeps beautifully! Store any remaining chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The sauce continues to develop flavor and makes a quick, delicious meal the next day.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze for later, let the chicken and sauce cool completely first. Place into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty bag, seal well, and store for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to retain the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce looks too thick. You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, keeping things moist by spooning a little extra sauce over the top.

FAQs

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead?

Definitely! If you switch to boneless, skinless thighs, make sure to reduce the cook time a bit to keep them juicy and avoid overcooking. They won’t be quite as rich or crisp as bone-in, skin-on, but they’ll still soak up all that amazing lemon garlic butter flavor.

What’s the best way to get crispy skin in the slow cooker?

The slow cooker itself won’t crisp up the skin, but a quick sear before slow cooking (like in this recipe) is key. And for ultra-crispy skin, a final few minutes under the broiler does the trick beautifully—don’t skip it!

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Yes, you can easily double the lemon garlic butter crock pot chicken thighs recipe—just make sure to arrange the chicken in a single layer or as evenly as possible for best cooking results. You may need to increase the cooking time slightly and stir halfway through so all pieces get plenty of love from the sauce.

What can I substitute for Italian seasoning?

No Italian seasoning? No problem. Use a mixture of dried basil, oregano, thyme, or rosemary—or just your favorite dried herbs you have on hand. A pinch of each brings classic flavor to the sauce.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This lemon garlic butter crock pot chicken thighs recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided you use a gluten-free chicken broth. It’s a wonderful choice for anyone avoiding gluten yet craving delicious, comforting chicken.

Final Thoughts

If ever there was a recipe to tuck into your weeknight rotation, it’s this Lemon Garlic Butter Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe. It’s simple, zesty, richly satisfying, and comes together with barely any hands-on time. Give it a try—you might just make it your new family favorite!

Lemon Garlic Butter Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Tender and flavorful Lemon Garlic Butter Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are a delicious and easy meal that’s perfect for busy days. The chicken is seared to golden perfection, then slow-cooked in a flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce until it’s juicy and tender. A simple yet impressive dish that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Thighs:

2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Seasoning:

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
juice of 1 lemon
zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup chicken broth

Additional:

Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the chicken thighs on the skin side until golden, then flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crock pot.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender.
Crisp the Skin (Optional): If desired, broil the chicken thighs skin-side up for 3–5 minutes after slow cooking to crisp the skin.
Serve: Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve.