Effortless Lemon Herb Crockpot Chicken a Weeknight Winner
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction: Your New Favourite Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe
Ever had one of those days where even boiling an egg feels like climbing Everest? Yeah, me too. That's where this Slow cooker lemon herb chicken recipe comes in.
Honestly, it's a game changer. It's a guaranteed crowd pleaser packed with lemon and fresh herbs.
A Taste of the Mediterranean in Your Kitchen
This Simple Healthy Crockpot Meals option is inspired by the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. Think fragrant herbs, zesty lemon, and tender chicken.
While its roots might be Mediterranean, the appeal is universal. This Crock Pot Easy Meals is super straightforward. Prep takes about 15 minutes and the Slow cooker whole chicken recipe cooks itself while you get on with your life.
This recipe serves 6-8 hungry folks.
Why You'll Adore This Lemon Herb Chicken Crock Pot
Apart from being ridiculously easy, this Crockpot chicken with lemon and herbs is a winner because it's relatively healthy. Chicken is packed with protein.
Slow cooking keeps it moist and tender without needing loads of extra fat. Imagine serving this as an Easy weeknight chicken dinner .
A celebration or any casual meal. What makes this Healthy slow cooker chicken special is how little effort it takes to get a delicious, satisfying meal on the table.
Ingredients & Equipment for Your Effortless Chicken Dinner
Alright, let's talk about what you'll need to make this Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe . Honestly, it's mostly stuff you probably already have kicking around.
Don’t you just love Simple Healthy Crockpot Meals ?
Main Ingredients: Keeping It Real
- Whole Chicken: 1 whole chicken ( 3-4 lbs / 1.3-1.8 kg ). Make sure you remove the giblets, alright?
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Go for extra virgin if you're feeling fancy.
- Lemon: 1 lemon, thinly sliced. Go for organic if you have it, but don't sweat it if you don't.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced. Fresh is always best, trust me.
- Fresh Rosemary: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) , chopped. Smells divine, doesn’t it?
- Fresh Thyme: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) , chopped.
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) .
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) , or to taste.
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) , or to taste.
- Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup (120 ml) . Low sodium is the way to go.
Quality matters. Especially with the chicken. Look for plump skin and no weird smells. A good free range chicken makes a huge difference in flavor for your Slow cooker whole chicken recipe .
I prefer to buy from local farmers.
Seasoning Notes: Flavour Town
This recipe is all about that Lemon herb chicken crock pot vibe. Rosemary and thyme? Classic combo. You know? A little oregano adds that Mediterranean touch.
Don't be shy with the salt and pepper. That's where the flavour gets pumped.
If you don't have fresh herbs. Use 1 teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme. Works a charm. A pinch of red pepper flakes will add a nice kick if you like a little heat for your Crockpot chicken with lemon and herbs .
Equipment Needed: Simple is Best
- Crockpot: A 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Cutting Board: Essential for slicing that lemon.
- Sharp Knife: Makes the lemon slicing easier.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: For accurate seasoning.
That's it! You don't need a million gadgets for this Easy weeknight chicken dinner . No need for anything too crazy.
Got a pot and a knife? You are sorted. Honestly, this Healthy slow cooker chicken recipe is so straightforward that even I managed it first time around!
Effortless Lemon Herb Crockpot Chicken: A Weeknight Winner!
Fancy a Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe that’s ridiculously simple and tastes amazing? This slow cooker lemon herb chicken is it, mate! Honestly, this has become one of my go-to Simple Healthy Crockpot Meals .
Think sunshine in a pot, perfect for a Crock Pot Easy Meal after a long day.
Getting Your Ducks in a Row: The Prep Steps
First things first, let's get organised. Essential mise en place: Get that whole chicken out of the fridge and give it a good pat down with paper towels about 1.
3-1.8 kg is perfect. Next, slice your lemon thinly . Get your herbs chopped: 2 tablespoons each of fresh rosemary and thyme.
Mince 4 cloves of garlic. Boom! Ready to rock.
Time saving tip? Whizz all the herbs and garlic in a mini food processor for a super quick chop. Safety reminder: Wash your hands after handling raw chicken.
Common sense, I know, but worth saying!
The Magic Happens: step-by-step Process
Right, let's get this Slow cooker whole chicken recipe cooking. Remember, with lemon herb chicken crock pot , the flavour is KING!
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with your chopped herbs, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper and 1 teaspoon dried oregano in a bowl.
- Rub the herb mixture all over the chicken, inside and out. Get in there!
- Shove those lemon slices inside the chicken cavity.
- Pour ½ cup of chicken broth into the bottom of your 6-quart crockpot. Pop the chicken in.
- Cover and cook on low for 6- 8 hours , or on high for 3- 4 hours . Aim for 165° F ( 74° C) internal temperature!
- Rest for 10 before carving.
- Serve immediately
Visual cue for doneness? The juices should run clear when you poke the thickest part of the thigh with a fork.
Pro Tips for Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken Perfection
Wanna take your crockpot chicken with lemon and herbs to the next level? Here's the lowdown.
First, don't overcrowd the Crockpot lemon chicken breast ! Make sure your chicken fits comfortably. Secondly, to avoid the most common mistakes and to give healthy slow cooker chicken a flavour boost.
After you carve the chicken, drizzle some of the pan juices over the chicken. If you are craving Slow cooker Mediterranean chicken try tossing in a handful of Kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist.
It's lush!
This is such an Easy weeknight chicken dinner , you’ll be making it every week!.
Recipe Notes for Your Effortless Lemon Herb Crockpot Chicken
Right then, let's have a chat about some extra bits and bobs for this amazing Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe . Honestly, this Slow cooker lemon herb chicken is so simple, it's almost cheating.
It's one of my go-to Crock Pot Easy Meals . We had it last week with some roasted spuds, the whole family loved it!
Serving Suggestions: Fancy Pants or Proper Grub?
Okay, so you’ve got this gorgeous Lemon herb chicken crock pot out of the Slow cooker . What now? First off, presentation, right? If you want to be all fancy, arrange the carved chicken on a platter, drizzle with the pan juices, and garnish with fresh herbs.
Bit of lemon zest never hurts.
But if you’re like me and just want proper grub, whack it on a plate next to some roasted veg.
Job's a good'un! Some suggestions that go fantastic with this would be a green salad with lemon vinaigrette or simple quinoa.
Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh
Got leftovers? You're lucky! Place the chicken in an airtight container and it'll keep happy in the fridge for 3-4 days .
Need longer? Shred the chicken and freeze it for up to 3 months . Defrost overnight in the fridge. Reheating is easy: pop it in the microwave, oven or back in the Crock Pot with a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist.
No waste! This Healthy slow cooker chicken is fantastic for meal prepping.
Variations: Mix it Up, Mate!
Fancy a bit of a change? Why not try a Slow cooker Mediterranean chicken . Add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and a sprinkle of feta at the end.
You know? Another thing I love to add to the Crockpot chicken with lemon and herbs ? A bit of chilli flakes if you want a spicy touch, you can always add lemon zest to kick the lemon flavour.
For a dietary twist: This recipe as is is Paleo and Keto friendly.
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Pot!
Alright, let's talk about the good stuff. This Crockpot lemon chicken breast is packed with protein and relatively low in carbs.
A serving comes in at an estimated 350 calories, with 40g of protein and 20g of fat. Also it's packed full of vitamins and minerals.
It is a perfect Healthy slow cooker chicken . Win-win, right?
So, there you have it! A Simple Healthy Crockpot Meals that is a tasty, Easy weeknight chicken dinner . Don't be scared to give it a go! And remember always use the cooking thermometer when making a Slow cooker whole chicken recipe .
You got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken in this Slow cooker lemon herb recipe?
While technically you can, it's really not recommended, mate. For food safety, you should always thaw your chicken completely before putting it in the slow cooker. Frozen chicken can take too long to reach a safe internal temperature in the slow cooker, which can lead to bacteria growth and nobody wants a dodgy tummy!
My skin isn't crispy! Is there anything I can do about that when making Slow cooker lemon herb chicken?
Ah, the bane of every slow cooker chicken enthusiast! Achieving crispy skin in a slow cooker is a bit of a Holy Grail situation. However, you can try broiling the chicken for a few minutes after it's cooked, just keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.
Patting the chicken dry before cooking helps a bit too, or you could finish it in a hot oven for a short time.
How long does Slow cooker lemon herb chicken last in the fridge?
Cooked chicken will generally keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, stored in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down properly before you pop it in the fridge don't leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. If you're not going to eat it within that time, freezing is your best bet.
What if I don't have fresh herbs? Can I still make this Slow cooker lemon herb chicken?
Absolutely, you can! Dried herbs are your friend in a pinch. As a general rule, use about 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh herbs called for in the recipe. So, for this recipe, you’d use about 1 teaspoon each of dried rosemary and dried thyme.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker with the chicken?
You bet! Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions work particularly well. Just be sure to chop them into fairly large chunks, as they'll be cooking for a long time. Add them to the bottom of the slow cooker before you put the chicken in, so they have the most contact with the heat.
It's an easy way to make it a full meal!
Is this Slow cooker lemon herb chicken recipe healthy?
Yes, it can be! Chicken is a great source of lean protein. Plus, this recipe uses lemon and herbs for flavour, rather than lots of added fat. To keep it extra healthy, use low-sodium chicken broth and consider removing the skin after cooking to reduce the fat content.
Serving it with plenty of vegetables adds even more nutritional value.
Effortless Lemon Herb Crockpot Chicken A Weeknig
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20g |
| Fiber | 0g |