There’s something magical about the words slow cooker garlic butter chicken. They just sound like comfort, don’t they? This recipe is for those days when you want a home-cooked meal that feels special but doesn’t demand all your time hovering over the stove. Trust me, once you smell that buttery garlic aroma filling your kitchen, you’ll wonder why this dish hasn’t been in your weekly rotation all along.
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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken
- Effortless prep: Just 10 minutes and your slow cooker does the rest.
- Family-approved flavor: Juicy chicken bathed in garlic butter never disappoints.
- Versatile: Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or even with a crisp green salad.
- Perfect for busy lives: Whether you’re juggling work, kids, or both—this recipe frees up your evening.
And if you’ve got picky eaters? Let me tell you—my middle kid once declared this “better than chicken nuggets.” High praise in my house!
What Does Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken Taste Like?
Imagine tender chicken that practically melts in your mouth, wrapped in a buttery sauce that’s equal parts garlicky, savory, and brightened up with a hint of lemon. It’s rich without being heavy, and the flavors are so comforting, you’ll want to spoon that sauce over everything. (Pro tip: make extra mashed potatoes.)
Ingredients You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken
When it comes to making slow cooker garlic butter chicken, the ingredients are simple, familiar, and probably already waiting in your kitchen. Each one plays an important role in creating that buttery, garlicky flavor that makes this dish so comforting. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts (4 pieces, about 1.5 pounds)
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star of the show. They stay tender and juicy as they cook low and slow, soaking up all that buttery garlic flavor. If you prefer, you can swap them out for boneless chicken thighs, which offer even more richness. - Unsalted Butter (½ cup, or 1 stick)
Butter is the heart of this dish. It creates a silky sauce that coats every bite of chicken, carrying the garlic and spices beautifully. Use unsalted butter so you can better control the seasoning. - Garlic (6 cloves, minced)
The name says it all—garlic is essential here. Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce its bold, savory punch. Don’t be shy with the garlic; this recipe was made for garlic lovers. - Onion Powder (1 teaspoon)
A pantry staple that adds depth and a subtle sweetness to balance the savory flavors. - Smoked Paprika (1 teaspoon)
This spice gives a warm, smoky undertone that makes the chicken taste like it simmered over a wood fire. Regular paprika works too, but smoked paprika takes it to another level. - Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon)
A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary adds just the right amount of earthy flavor. It ties the butter and garlic together perfectly. - Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
Simple but essential. They season the chicken inside and out, making sure each bite is balanced. - Lemon Juice (from 1 fresh lemon)
A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the rich garlic butter sauce, keeping the dish from feeling too heavy. That little zing of citrus is what makes this recipe taste fresh and lively. - Fresh Parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped, for garnish)
A sprinkle of parsley at the end adds color, freshness, and just a hint of herbal flavor. It’s the finishing touch that makes your plate look and taste restaurant-worthy.
If you love simple ingredient lists like this, you’ll also enjoy my Crockpot Chicken Tortellini Recipe—another comforting slow cooker dinner that uses easy, pantry-friendly ingredients.
How to Make Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken (Step by Step)
Making slow cooker garlic butter chicken is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do on a busy weeknight. You’ll spend just a few minutes prepping, and then your slow cooker will do all the heavy lifting while your kitchen fills with that incredible buttery garlic aroma. Let’s walk through it step by step:
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
Start by melting the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. This flavorful mixture is what transforms simple chicken into a savory, comforting dish. Think of it as liquid gold—it’s the heart of your slow cooker garlic butter chicken.
Step 2: Arrange the Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Place the chicken breasts directly into your slow cooker. Don’t worry about browning them first—this recipe is all about simplicity. Arrange them in an even layer so each piece gets coated with the sauce.
Step 3: Pour on the Garlic Butter Mixture
Slowly drizzle the garlic butter mixture over the chicken, making sure every breast is fully coated. Use the back of a spoon to spread it if needed. This step ensures that the flavor seeps into the chicken as it cooks low and slow.
Step 4: Add Fresh Lemon Juice
Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the chicken. The lemon adds brightness and helps balance the richness of the butter. It might seem like a small step, but it makes a huge difference in flavor.
Step 5: Set It and Forget It
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. During this time, the chicken will gently cook in the garlic butter sauce until it’s tender, juicy, and infused with flavor. This is the beauty of slow cooker garlic butter chicken—you can go about your day while dinner takes care of itself.
Step 6: Finish and Garnish
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken using tongs. You can serve the breasts whole for a classic look, or shred them if you prefer a more rustic presentation. Spoon some of the rich garlic butter sauce over the top and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Step 7: Serve with Comforting Sides
This dish pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes or fluffy rice—both soak up the sauce beautifully. If you’re looking for more inspiration, try serving it alongside my Garlic Herb Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Glazed Carrots. It’s another slow cooker favorite that fits right in with the same cozy, family-style vibe.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken
- Don’t skip the lemon. It cuts the richness beautifully.
- Double up! You can easily double this recipe for a crowd—just don’t overpack the slow cooker.
- For creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end.
- Storage hack: Shred leftovers and use them in wraps or over pasta the next day.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove with a splash of chicken broth (or water) to keep it juicy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Boneless thighs work beautifully and stay extra tender.
Can I cook this on high?
Yes, about 3 hours on high should do the trick.
Does this freeze well?
Absolutely. Shred the cooked chicken, store with some sauce in freezer bags, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug after a long day. It’s rich, flavorful, and impossibly easy—perfect for busy weeknights or even a casual Sunday dinner. So dust off that slow cooker, grab a stick of butter and some garlic, and let this dish win over your family like it has mine.
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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe – Quick, Juicy & Flavorful
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken is a delicious and easy dinner option. The chicken cooks low and slow in a rich garlic butter sauce, making it tender, juicy, and full of flavor—perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
1 piece lemon, juiced
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove. Add minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
2. Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated.
3. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the chicken for added flavor.
4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Once cooking is complete, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a serving plate. You can shred it or serve the breasts whole.
6. Spoon some of the remaining garlic butter sauce over the chicken. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
7. For best results, serve this dish over rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.
8. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
You can easily double the recipe for a larger crowd. Cooking time may remain the same unless the slow cooker is overly packed.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes to enjoy every drop of the garlic butter sauce.
Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to preserve texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, slow cooker chicken, crock pot, easy dinner, buttery chicken
