Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs
Bone-in, skin-on thighs on a bed of onion with garlic and herbs; lemon juice and zest go in at the end.
Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes5
hoursBone-in, skin-on thighs on a bed of onion with garlic and herbs; lemon juice and zest go in at the end.
Ingredients
3 lb bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
1 onion, thickly sliced
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, salt and pepper
¼ cup chicken broth
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Chopped parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
Directions
- Pat the thighs dry with paper towels so the rub sticks.
- Tuck in the bay leaf.
- Lay the onion and garlic on the bottom of the insert and pour in the broth.
- Rub the thighs with oil, herbs, salt, and pepper and set them skin side up on the onion.
- Cook 4–6 hours on LOW.
- Stir the lemon juice and zest into the juices in the pot and spoon them over the thighs.
- For crisp skin, move the thighs to a sheet pan and broil 3–5 minutes.
- Check the thickest thigh with a thermometer; it should read at least 165°F.
Notes
- Lemon added at the start turns bitter over hours. Squeeze it in at the end.
Why lemon goes in at the end
Lemon added at the start turns bitter over hours of cooking. Squeeze it in once the thighs are done and the flavor stays fresh and bright. Skin-on thighs stay juicy through the long cook, and a quick trip under the broiler crisps the skin that a slow cooker never would.
Swaps that work for Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs
Skinless thighs work, but you lose the crisping step and the pot juices turn leaner. Drumsticks fit the same timing. Fresh thyme or rosemary can replace the dried herbs in the rub. Do not use chicken breast here. It dries out long before the cook time is up.
Serving and keeping Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs
Rice, roasted potatoes, or a crisp green salad all work. Leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Pull the meat off the bone and drop it into soup or a grain bowl.
People often skip the sheet pan. Without it the skin stays pale and soft, so give it the extra few minutes.
Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 hours
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 10, led by bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, onion, garlic, olive oil
Tips for Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs
Lemon added at the start turns bitter over hours. Squeeze it in at the end.
Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs FAQ
How long does Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs take?
Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs takes 5 hours of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs?
10 ingredients, led by bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, onion, garlic, olive oil. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
