Crockpot Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce – If you are looking for an easy but delicious crockpot dinner idea, then this crockpot chicken thighs recipe is for you! The chicken thighs cook up tender and juicy in a buttery lemon garlic sauce. This chicken recipe is very easy to make in the crock pot, and the flavor is outstanding. We guarantee your family will love this slow cooker chicken thighs recipe and put it on the family favorite rotation list! Serve the chicken thighs over a bed of cauliflower rice (ideal for keto or low carb diet) or rice with a salad, and dinner is done. Hint: if you make rice (or cauliflower rice) in the Instant Pot, this crockpot chicken dinner gets crazy easy.
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
This is one of those recipes your whole family will love and want again and again. Serve the chicken thighs over cauliflower rice for a low-carb or keto option, or pair with regular rice and a fresh salad for a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
Tip: If you make your rice or cauliflower rice in the Instant Pot, dinner comes together effortlessly — ultimate comfort food and gets crazy easy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
- 6-8 boneless chicken thighs, skinless or with skin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes, or Cayenne (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 4 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 stick butter, diced
- Zest of half a lemon
- Juice of one lemon
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
- Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices, for garnish
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
How To Make Chicken in the Crockpot
This crockpot chicken thigh recipe is SUPER easy to make. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Combine 1/3 cup chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest. Pour the broth over the chicken. Season the chicken thighs with Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, crushed red chili pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Top chicken with fresh minced garlic and diced butter. Cook on High for 3-4 hours.
Once the chicken thighs are cooked, serve the chicken over white rice, pasta, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes, zucchini noodles, or egg noodles.
Add about 1/2 to 1 cup of water or chicken broth to the soup mixture if you want a thinner sauce.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Crockpot Chicken Thighs Recipe Tips and Tricks
This slow cooker chicken thigh recipe is very versatile, allowing you to customize it to your taste. The chicken thighs are super quick to prep, and the delicious garlic, lemon, butter, and herb sauce is to die for! Here are a few tips to make it even better!
- If you have time, season and brown the chicken thighs in a skillet before transferring them to the Crockpot. The Maillard reaction on the meat will build up a nice flavor when simmering in the Crockpot later.
- If you want to give your slow-cooked chicken thighs a zesty touch to brighten the flavor, add a dash of fresh lemon juice at the end of cooking time.
- Make sure to use skinless chicken thighs. Chicken skin contains fat that will make the crockpot dish too greasy, especially when we use butter in the sauce. If you’re not fond of chicken thighs, go for skinless chicken breasts instead–They are lean and shred easily after being slow-cooked!
- Shredding chicken meat is also a great option. Remove the cooked chicken thighs from the crockpot and shred them on a cutting board after removing the bone. Add chicken back to the crockpot and mix with the sauce to combine and reheat quickly before serving the chicken.
- If you’re not a lemon fan, use half a lemon juice instead.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
What to Serve with Crockpot Chicken Thighs: Easy Side Ideas?
As said above, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles are a great and healthy option, especially for those on low-carb/keto diets. This slow-cooker chicken thighs recipe is also awesome on top of regular pasta or rice!
How to Store Leftover Crockpot Chicken Thighs?
This slow-cooked chicken can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove, adding one tablespoon of water to loosen the sauce. Freeze the crockpot chicken thighs for up to 3 months. We also love to toss the shredded chicken leftovers with a crisp salad.
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make this crockpot chicken thighs recipe, place chicken thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker. Combine 1/3 cup chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest, and pour over chicken thighs. In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, crushed red chili pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mix over the chicken thighs. Top with fresh minced garlic and diced butter.
2. Cover the crockpot and cook the chicken thighs for 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-8 hours on LOW.
3. Sprinkle your slow-cooked chicken thighs with chopped parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serve hot with cauliflower rice, spiralized zucchini noodles, rice, pasta, or quinoa. Enjoy! ❤️
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
More crockpot chicken recipes you might like
- CrockPot Tuscan Garlic Chicken With Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Soup with Spinach Potato
- Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli
What other readers say about this slow cooker chicken thighs recipe
“I used breasts & browned them (seasoned with s&p and oregano); added a can of chickpeas & a bag of frozen cauliflower under chicken. My guys had theirs over steamed rice & went back for seconds AND thirds. Super yummy!” – Jenni
“This one was a big success in our house! My kids rolled their eyes at me when I said I was making chicken in the crockpot, but everyone liked it. We served it with leftover Mexican rice and steamed broccoli. Great and easy meal.” – Kelly
“I’ve made this time and time again! Every time it turns out absolutely delicious and flavorful! Great recipe. Goes well served on a bed on steamed white rice. 😋 YUM” – Reyna
“I made this with organic chicken breasts, delicious would definitely make it again. I did not use the lemon zest, just lemon juice.” – Brenda
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
This Crockpot chicken thighs recipe is easy and delicious, with outstanding flavors!
- 6-8 boneless chicken thighs, skinless or with skin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes, or Cayenne (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 4 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 stick butter, diced
- Zest of half a lemon
- Juice of one lemon
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
- Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- To make this crockpot chicken thighs recipe: Place chicken thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker. Combine 1/3 cup chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest, and pour over chicken thighs. In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, crushed red chili pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mix over the chicken thighs. Top with fresh minced garlic and diced butter.
- Cover the crockpot and cook the chicken thighs for 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-8 hours on LOW.
- Sprinkle your crockpot chicken thighs dinner with chopped parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serve hot with cauliflower rice, spiralized zucchini noodles, rice, pasta or quinoa. Enjoy! ❤️
Recipe Notes
- Try cooking the chicken over a bed of chunky cauliflower florets. This instantly turns the crockpot chicken thighs recipe into a one-pot dinner, and the cauliflower side is packed with flavor since it will soak up the fat and juices from the chicken thighs.
- If you're not on a Keto or low-carb diet, cook the crockpot chicken thighs over a bed of baby or new potatoes instead.
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Reviews (94)
Leave a reviewLeave a Reply
Rose
2025-11-02 15:19:30
My husband made this recipe once, now I own it. I've made it many times and never change the recipe. It's a favorite delicious and easy dish. Comes out perfectly tender and flavorful as written in 3 hours on high. As suggested, I always brown the chicken first.
Nicole
2025-06-10 19:04:08
Made this tonight with chicken breast. I browned them and then I shredded them when finished to soak up all of that sauce and it was outstanding!
Wendy
2025-04-27 20:22:07
Delicious! Definitely a make again dish. So easy to make too.
Bergandee
2025-03-21 12:51:53
I rarely comment on these things but I use this recipe so frequently how could I not. I highly recommend. It’s a classic in our home. We prefer a thicker sauce/gravy so I always thicken with flour. Love the lemony flavor
Glenda
2025-03-04 16:47:34
I have a ton of chicken recipes and I tried this one for the first time a week ago.....wow! Absolutely delicious, I'm making it for dinner again tonight 😊
