Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is the perfect blend of simplicity and flavor. It’s a fantastic choice for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests with minimal effort. The slow cooking process ensures that the chicken becomes tender and absorbs the rich, buttery garlic goodness, making it a delightful main course for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Preparation: Just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.
• Flavor-Packed: The combination of garlic and butter creates a mouthwatering sauce that enhances the chicken.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy this dish over rice, mashed potatoes, or even in sandwiches for leftovers.
• Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love this savory dish, making it great for family dinners.
• Make-Ahead Meal: Cook it in advance and store leftovers for quick meals throughout the week.

Tools and Preparation

Before diving into this delicious recipe, gather your tools to ensure a smooth cooking experience. These essentials will help you create a meal everyone will love.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Small bowl
• Chopping board

Importance of Each Tool

• Slow cooker: This is crucial for achieving perfectly tender chicken with minimal effort.
• Measuring cups: Accurate measurements enhance the flavor balance in your dish.
• Chopping board: A stable surface makes garlic prep safe and easy.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (About 1.5 pounds)

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• to taste salt
• to taste pepper

For Garnish

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 piece lemon, juiced

How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 1: Melt the Garlic Butter Mixture

In a small bowl, melt the butter using either a microwave or stove. Once melted:
1. Add minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken in Slow Cooker

Place the chicken breasts into your slow cooker:
– Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over each piece of chicken to ensure thorough coating.

Step 3: Add Lemon Juice

Squeeze the juice from one lemon over the chicken:
– This adds a fresh zest to balance out the richness of the garlic butter.

Step 4: Cook on Low Heat

Cover your slow cooker:
– Set it to cook on low for 6 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooking is complete:
1. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a serving plate—shred or serve whole based on preference.
2. Spoon some of that delicious remaining garlic butter sauce over your chicken.
3. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Step 6: Pairing Suggestions

For an enhanced dining experience:
– Serve this dish over rice or mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of that flavorful sauce.

Step 7: Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers:
– Store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

Serving Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is an opportunity to enhance the meal experience. This flavorful dish can be paired with a variety of sides and garnishes that complement its rich taste.

Over Rice

• Using white or brown rice will absorb the delicious garlic butter sauce, making every bite satisfying.

With Mashed Potatoes

• Creamy mashed potatoes provide a perfect base for the chicken, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

In a Wrap

• Shred the chicken and wrap it in a tortilla with fresh veggies for a quick and tasty lunch option.

On a Salad

• Serve the chicken over a bed of greens for a light and healthy meal, topped with your favorite dressing.

With Crusty Bread

• Pairing it with crusty bread is ideal for soaking up the remaining garlic butter sauce, enhancing each bite.

How to Perfect Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

Achieving perfection with your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is simple with just a few tips. Follow these suggestions for the best results.

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and herbs enhance the flavor significantly compared to dried alternatives.

• Monitor Cooking Time: Cooking on low for 6 hours typically yields tender chicken; avoid overcooking to maintain juiciness.

• Adjust Seasonings: Feel free to tweak salt, pepper, or spices according to your taste preferences for a personalized dish.

• Let it Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps retain moisture before serving.

• Experiment with Herbs: Adding different fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can add unique flavors to your meal.

Best Side Dishes for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

Pairing side dishes with your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken can elevate your dining experience. Here are some great options to consider:

1. Steamed Vegetables
   A mix of broccoli, carrots, and green beans adds color and nutrition while balancing the richness of the chicken.

2. Quinoa Salad
   Quinoa offers protein and complements the dish well with light seasoning and fresh vegetables mixed in.

3. Garlic Bread
   A classic choice that pairs perfectly; use it to scoop up any leftover sauce from your plate!

4. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
   Their natural sweetness balances the savory flavors of the chicken while adding texture.

5. Coleslaw
   A crunchy coleslaw provides freshness and acidity, cutting through the richness of the butter sauce.

6. Couscous
   Light and fluffy couscous is an excellent alternative, easily taking on flavors from the chicken’s sauce.

7. Mixed Green Salad
   A simple salad adds crispness and can be dressed lightly for a refreshing contrast to warm chicken.

8. Cauliflower Rice
   For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice absorbs flavors well while keeping calories in check.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To make your Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken perfect, avoid these common mistakes.

• Boldly skip the seasoning: Not seasoning the chicken properly can lead to bland results. Always ensure you use enough salt and spices in your garlic butter mixture.
• Boldly ignore cooking times: Cooking on high instead of low can dry out the chicken. Stick to the recommended low setting for juicy meat.
• Boldly overcrowd the slow cooker: Placing too much chicken in one pot can lead to uneven cooking. Ensure there’s enough space for heat circulation.
• Boldly forget to add acid: Omitting lemon juice can result in a flat taste. Always add a splash of acidity to brighten up the flavors.
• Boldly leave out garnish: Skipping fresh parsley for garnish may overlook an important flavor and visual element. Always finish with a sprinkle for freshness.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container.
• Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

• Place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

• Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Cover chicken with foil and heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Microwave: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through.
• Stovetop: Heat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed to prevent drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about making Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken.

How long does Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken take to cook?

This recipe takes about 6 hours on low heat for the chicken to become tender and fully cooked.

Can I use other meats in this recipe?

Yes! This recipe works well with turkey or chicken thighs as alternatives. Adjust cooking times accordingly.

What can I serve with Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken?

This dish pairs beautifully with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables. They soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce!

Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine. This will still give you great flavor without dairy.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze them for longer storage.

Final Thoughts

Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is not only easy to prepare but also delivers rich flavors that everyone will love. You can customize this dish by adding your favorite herbs or spices. Give it a try, and enjoy a delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion!

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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken

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Indulge in the mouthwatering flavors of Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken, a dish that marries convenience with rich taste. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests with minimal effort, this recipe transforms simple chicken breasts into a tender and flavorful main course. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to soak up a luscious garlic butter sauce that’s both savory and satisfying. Whether served over rice, mashed potatoes, or tucked into wraps, this versatile dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a small bowl and stir in garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour the garlic butter mixture over them.
3. Squeeze lemon juice on top for added brightness.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until chicken is tender.
5. Serve warm with additional garlic butter sauce and garnish with parsley.

• Author: Diary
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Main
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken (113g)
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 95mg