Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken
This creamy garlic butter chicken is the ultimate comfort food that practically cooks itself. With minimal prep work and maximum flavor, your crockpot does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day. The result is incredibly tender, juicy chicken swimming in a rich garlic butter sauce that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
- In a small bowl combine melted butter with minced garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Add chicken broth around the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until chicken reaches 165 degrees F internally.
- Remove chicken and shred or slice as desired.
- Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice to the cooking liquid.
- Pour the garlic butter sauce over the chicken and serve.
Practical Tips
Tip 1: Serve this over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious garlic butter sauce. The starch helps capture every drop of flavor.
Tip 2: For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This transforms it into a more luxurious dish.
Tip 3: Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice at the end. It brightens the heavy garlic butter and prevents the dish from tasting too rich.
How to Store
Store leftover garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth to restore moisture. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, though the sauce may separate slightly when thawed.
Common Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully and stay even more moist. They may need an extra 30 minutes to an hour on low heat since they’re thicker.
What if I don’t have fresh parsley? Dried parsley works in a pinch, though use only 2 teaspoons since it’s more concentrated. Fresh herbs provide better flavor, but dried won’t ruin the dish.
Can I double this recipe? Absolutely. Simply double all ingredients and use a larger crockpot. The cooking time remains the same since the crockpot heats evenly regardless of quantity.