Imagine coming home after a long day to the comforting aroma of perfectly cooked chicken, delicately seasoned with thyme and lemon! This slow cooker recipe turns a few simple ingredients into a fall-off-the-bone masterpiece in eight hours. It’s fuss-free, forgiving, and a perfect choice for a cozy family dinner or a meal-prep session.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs (skin removed if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or a few fresh thyme sprigs)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- Juice of 1 lemon (plus extra lemon slices for garnish)
- ½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
Begin by seasoning the chicken with the dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Massage these flavors into the chicken so they fully coat each piece. If you have a few extra minutes, quickly brown the chicken in a skillet with the olive oil—this step adds color and locks in more flavor, but it’s not strictly necessary if you’re short on time.
Next, arrange the sliced onions at the bottom of your slow cooker. Place your seasoned chicken on top of the onions, and add the minced garlic. Drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken, then pour in the chicken broth. Cover with the lid and set the slow cooker to low, allowing the chicken to gently cook for 8 hours.
After the cooking time has elapsed, the chicken should be tender enough to pull apart with a fork. Serve it with the onions and a drizzle of the fragrant pan juices spooned over top. Garnish with fresh lemon slices or any remaining thyme sprigs to add some extra brightness and a lovely finishing touch.
This recipe is fantastic for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, nourishing meal. Cooking it low and slow helps break down the meat, giving you succulent chicken every time. It can easily be adapted with different herbs and spices—rosemary, oregano, or even paprika—and can fit various dietary needs if you choose to remove the skin or switch up the seasonings.
Whether you’re cooking for a family, yourself, or prepping meals for the week, this eight-hour slow cooker chicken brings a hearty, health-conscious option to the table in the most effortless way.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
