Make the most flavorful chicken ever with this recipe for Large Family Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh. The zest of the lemon compliments the garlic and brings a whole new flavor to the chicken.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh
If you use the same marinades and spices all the time, you are likely interested in finding new ways to prepare chicken thighs. If you are a fan of garlic and do not mind a slight hint of citrus, this Large Family Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh is a must-try.
The chicken is juicy and loaded with flavor after cooking in the slow cooker for several hours. It is a mess-free meal that tastes great and is good for you!
What You Will Need to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh
You can make the Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh recipe with these important ingredients:
- Chicken Thighs. Use at least five pounds of chicken thighs for the recipe to have enough to feed your family.
- Minced Garlic. If you do not have minced garlic, you can use garlic powder as a substitute.
- Lemon. Zest the lemon and then slice it into pieces.
- Chicken Stock. Use the chicken stock to keep the chicken tender while it cooks.
The only other ingredients needed are butter, salt, dried basil, and chopped basil that you can add over your thighs as garnish when serving.
Can I Use Chicken Breast?
While you can use chicken breast as a substitute for chicken thighs, the thighs have dark meat attached to them that makes this large family dish even more flavorful. It is best to use chicken thigh when possible.
Can I Use Lemon Juice?
Although lemon juice is convenient, using a fresh lemon is better. Not only will you need to zest the lemon, but you will also need to add the juice of the lemon into your slow cooker for extra citrus flavor.
How Long Does It Need to Cook?
The Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh needs to cook for six hours on the low setting in the slow cooker. Do not forget to remove the chicken after six hours, add to a baking sheet, and broil for about five minutes to get your thighs slightly crisp before adding them back in with the rest of your ingredients.
How Can I Make this Dairy-free?
This dish is easy to make dairy-free. Just replace the butter with oil of your choice or with a dairy-free butter substitute. Don’t forget to use dairy-free sides like Sheet Pan Roasted Broccoli or Garlicky Green Beans and Tomatoes that are dairy-free. You can also replace any diary products with dairy-free options.
What to Serve With the Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh
Serve your Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh with a side of brown rice in the instant pot, cheesy asparagus spears, or healthy green bean casserole.
Your chicken tastes great with pasta or potatoes, try making mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or cheesy potatoes to go with it. It is versatile enough to go with lots of sides, including roasted vegetables.
How to Freeze the Meal Before You Make It
Assemble the ingredients and put everything into a large freezer bag except the butter and fresh basil. After you add the ingredients, seal the bag and put the meal in your freezer for up to three months. It will need to thaw overnight before you put it in the slow cooker and prepare it.
Here are More Meals for Your Large Family!
- Spinach and Cheese Strata
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Low Carb Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Mini Chicken Pot Pies
- Black Bean Nachos
Do you have more slow cooker recipes?
Slow cooker meals like this Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh recipe are so easy. Most of them are dump-and-go recipes that you spend ten minutes preparing and a few hours later dinners ready. Yay for convenience!
You’ll find lots more easy slow cooker meals in my Large Family Slow Cooker Dinners and Meal Plans Vol 1, 2, 3 Bundle. It includes 60 meals and 12 weeks of meal plans!
Large Family Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh
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Make the most flavorful chicken ever with this recipe for Large Family Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh. The zest of the lemon compliments the garlic and brings a whole new flavor to the meat.
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 pounds chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder or 8 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 lemon, zested and sliced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons butter – Use oil instead of butter or a dairy-free butter substitute to make this dairy-free.
- Freshly chopped basil, for garnish
Instructions
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In the slow cooker, mix together garlic, salt, dried basil, lemon zest and juice, and chicken stock. Lay chicken thighs over the mixture and season with salt and pepper if desired. Dot with butter.
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Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
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Preheat the broiler. Prepare a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken on the baking sheet.
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Put the baking sheet in the oven and watch carefully, cooking until the skin of the chicken is crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes.
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Garnish the chicken with freshly chopped basil.
Notes
How to freeze: Place all ingredients EXCEPT the butter and freshly chopped basil in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight
Keywords: Large Family Lemon Garlic Chicken Thigh
This easy flavorful meal comes together in five minutes and makes a tasty meal at the end of a long day.
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