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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken
This is the kind of dinner that makes your house smell like heaven and requires almost zero effort. Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is tender, juicy chicken (breasts, thighs, or even a whole bird) bathed in an insanely flavorful garlic butter sauce, often cooked alongside potatoes and vegetables for a complete one-pot meal.
The magic is in the simplicity: melted butter infused with fresh minced garlic, herbs like thyme and parsley, and a squeeze of lemon creates a sauce that the chicken slowly braises in for hours. The result? Chicken so tender it falls apart at the touch of a fork, potatoes that soak up all that buttery goodness, and a sauce you’ll want to drizzle over everything on your plate. This is comfort food at its finest—minimal prep, maximum flavor.
Let’s make the easiest, most delicious chicken dinner of your life.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 5-Minute Prep: Mix butter and seasonings, dump everything in the slow cooker, walk away.
- Complete Meal in One Pot: Chicken, potatoes, and veggies all cook together—no sides needed.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The slow cooking process allows the garlic butter to infuse every bite with rich, savory flavor.
- Flexible Timing: Cooks beautifully on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, perfect for any schedule.
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list for 4-6 servings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
2. Layer the Slow Cooker
Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a single layer in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour about ⅓ of the garlic butter over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated.
Add the halved potatoes on one side of the chicken and the baby carrots on the other side.
3. Add the Remaining Butter
Pour the remaining garlic butter sauce over the potatoes and carrots, ensuring everything is well coated. If using chicken broth, pour it around the edges of the slow cooker.
4. Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Tip: If adding green beans, stir them in during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking so they don’t overcook.
5. Finish and Serve
Carefully remove the chicken and vegetables from the slow cooker and place them on a serving platter. Drizzle the buttery juices from the slow cooker over everything.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with crusty bread to soak up that incredible sauce.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overcrowd: If your slow cooker is small, reduce the recipe or cook in batches. Overcrowding prevents even cooking.
- Sear for Extra Flavor (Optional): For an extra layer of flavor, dust the chicken in flour and sear it in a pan with a bit of butter for 1-2 minutes per side before adding to the slow cooker.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Pre-minced jarred garlic doesn’t have the same punch. Fresh garlic is what makes this dish sing.
- Cut Potatoes Evenly: Make sure all potato pieces are roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.
Variations & Substitutions
- Whole Chicken Version: Use a 4-5 lb whole chicken. Rub the garlic butter under the skin and all over the outside. Place the chicken on foil balls or halved potatoes in the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Creamy Version: Add ½ cup heavy cream and ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese to the garlic butter for a rich, creamy sauce.
- Italian Style: Use Italian seasoning instead of thyme, and add cherry tomatoes and sliced bell peppers.
- Spicy Kick: Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for heat.
What to Serve With It
- Crusty Bread: Essential for mopping up that buttery sauce.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with vinaigrette balances the richness.
- Mashed Potatoes: If you skip the potatoes in the slow cooker, serve with creamy mashed potatoes instead.
- Roasted Asparagus: A bright green veggie adds color and freshness.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store chicken, vegetables, and sauce separately in airtight containers for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: The chicken freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Potatoes don’t freeze as well—they can become grainy.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist.
Nutrition Facts
(Estimates per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 38g |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sodium | 680mg |
Diet Suitability: Gluten-Free, Low-Carb (skip potatoes), Keto-Friendly (skip potatoes).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking on High: If you cook chicken breasts on high for longer than 4 hours, they can become dry and stringy. Check at the 3-hour mark.
- Skipping the Butter Coating: Make sure every piece of chicken and vegetable is coated in the garlic butter. That’s where all the flavor comes from.
- Adding Delicate Vegetables Too Early: Green beans, asparagus, and spinach overcook easily. Always add them in the last 30-60 minutes.
FAQ
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: It’s not recommended due to food safety concerns. Frozen chicken takes too long to reach a safe temperature in the slow cooker. Always thaw chicken completely before using.
Q: Why is my chicken rubbery?
A: This usually means it was overcooked. Chicken breasts are especially prone to this. Use a meat thermometer and remove them as soon as they hit 165°F.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Use vegan butter or olive oil instead of regular butter. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Q: Do I need to add liquid?
A: Not necessarily. The butter and moisture from the chicken create enough liquid. However, adding ½ cup of chicken broth ensures extra sauce for drizzling.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is the definition of effortless elegance. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests. The tender chicken, perfectly cooked vegetables, and that glorious garlic butter sauce will have everyone asking for seconds.
If you loved this hands-off chicken dinner, try my Slow Cooker Senate Bean Soup or Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken next!
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken. Tender chicken thighs, infused with garlic, butter, and aromatic spices, slowly simmer to perfection in a luxurious creamy sauce. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a comforting and elegant meal.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and chicken broth.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the garlic butter mixture over them.
- Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Stir in the heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking to create a luscious creamy sauce.
- Serve the Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken hot, garnished with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.
