Crock pot chicken thighs bone

Ultra-Tender Lemon Chicken Thighs in the Slow Cooker

This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves tender chicken with a burst of lemon flavor. The chicken thighs cook slowly in the crockpot, becoming incredibly soft and juicy, while the zesty lemon gravy adds a delicious finishing touch. Here’s how to make it!

Ingredients:

For the Spice Rub:

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (half for the rub, half for the gravy)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or grainy mustard)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

For the Gravy:

• 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons butter (if needed)
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt to taste

For the Chicken:

• Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (boneless is fine too)

Instructions:

1. Make the Spice Rub:

• Zest a lemon until you have one tablespoon of zest.
• In a small bowl, combine half of the zest with Dijon mustard, oregano, thyme, salt, and olive oil. This mixture will be your spice rub.

1. Prepare the Lemon Broth:

• In a separate bowl, combine chicken broth with the remaining lemon zest and squeeze in fresh lemon juice. Set this aside for later.

1. Rub the Chicken:

• Coat your chicken thighs with the lemony mustard spice rub, making sure to cover both sides.

1. Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended):

• Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 2-3 minutes until the skin becomes golden and crispy. This adds extra flavor.

1. Slow Cook the Chicken:

• After searing, transfer the chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falls off the bone.

1. Make the Lemon Gravy:

• While the chicken is cooking, make the gravy in the same skillet you used for searing the chicken. If the skillet is dry, add butter to it.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the lemon and chicken stock mixture, whisking until smooth. Let it simmer over low heat until it thickens.

1. Finish the Dish:

• Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a plate. Skim off as much fat as you can from the cooking liquid.
• Warm the lemon gravy and whisk it into the slow cooker with the remaining liquid. Adjust salt to taste.
• Return the chicken to the slow cooker, coat it in the gravy, and let it warm up for a few minutes.

1. Serve and Enjoy:

• Your ultra-tender, lemony chicken thighs are ready to serve! They’ll be full of flavor and covered in a rich lemon gravy. Enjoy this comforting, bright, and delicious meal!

Tips:

• Chicken Skin: If you prefer boneless, skinless chicken, you can use it instead. However, skin-on chicken gives more flavor and helps keep the meat juicy.
• Gravy Thickness: The gravy will thicken as it simmers. If it becomes too thick, just add a little more chicken broth to loosen it up.

This recipe is perfect for a comforting family meal, and it’s a great way to enjoy tender chicken with a fresh lemony twist!