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Tender Never-Dry Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipe with Easy Lemon Herb Gravy

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A foolproof slow cooker chicken breast recipe that keeps the chicken tender and juicy, paired with a bright and flavorful lemon herb gravy. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and half of the dried thyme and rosemary (about ½ teaspoon each).
  2. Optional: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  3. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker in a single layer.
  4. In the skillet or a small saucepan, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  5. Stir in the juice and zest of 1 medium lemon, the remaining dried thyme and rosemary, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Let the butter melt completely.
  6. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the liquid and whisk vigorously to prevent lumps. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the gravy thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Carefully pour the lemon herb gravy over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, making sure they are mostly covered.
  8. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Check at 3 hours for doneness—the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If necessary, cook up to 4 hours but avoid going longer to prevent drying.
  9. Once cooked, taste the gravy and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If you want a thicker gravy, remove the chicken and simmer the gravy on the stovetop for a few minutes.
  10. Serve by spooning the lemon herb gravy over the chicken breasts and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Searing the chicken before slow cooking is optional but adds extra flavor and texture. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally. For gluten-free gravy, substitute flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder. For dairy-free, replace butter with olive oil or a plant-based alternative. If gravy is too thin after cooking, thicken with a slurry of flour or cornstarch mixed with cold water and simmer on stovetop.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken breast, lemon herb gravy, tender chicken, easy chicken recipe, slow cooker dinner, juicy chicken breast, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/tender-never-dry-slow-cooker-chicken-breast-recipe-with-easy-lemon-herb-gravy/