Johnson's Slow-Cooked Chicken
Simmered with aromatic vegetables in a slow cooker for a hands-off meal that honors American family traditions. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 435 minutes pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 medium, peeled and sliced carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1, sliced lemon
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lbs chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 2 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the slow cooker with the chicken.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1 tsp dried thyme over the chicken and vegetables, then pour in 1 cup chicken broth and add 1 sliced lemon.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until chicken is tender and easily flakes with a fork, checking occasionally to ensure broth hasn't evaporated completely.
- Step 5: Carefully remove chicken and lemon slices. Shred chicken with two forks, then return to the slow cooker to mix with vegetables. Serve with extra lemon wedges on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Johnson's Slow-Cooked Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Johnson's Slow-Cooked Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Johnson's Slow-Cooked Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Johnson's Slow-Cooked Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Johnson's Slow-Cooked Chicken?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
