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

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A slow cooker chicken breast recipe that keeps the meat juicy and tender with a fresh, tangy lemon herb gravy. Perfect for busy days and weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (680 to 900 g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml), homemade or low-sodium store-bought
  • Juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or dried)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free option)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken and reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour chicken broth and fresh lemon juice into the skillet, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Place browned chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour the broth and lemon mixture over the top. Sprinkle thyme evenly over the chicken.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 3.5 to 4 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove chicken and keep warm. Pour cooking liquid into a saucepan. Whisk flour into softened butter to create a roux, then slowly whisk in the cooking liquid over medium heat.
  8. Stir until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in Dijon mustard and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Plate the chicken breasts and spoon the lemon herb gravy over the top. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not skip browning the chicken to lock in moisture and add flavor. Keep the slow cooker lid closed during cooking to prevent drying out. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. Adjust gravy thickness by adding water or broth if too thick, or simmer longer if too thin. Let chicken rest before slicing to redistribute juices. For gluten-free gravy, use cornstarch instead of flour. For dairy-free gravy, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter and omit mustard if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken breast, lemon herb gravy, tender chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food, healthy chicken

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