Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Chicken with Lemon-Dijon
Tender chicken thighs bathed in a tangy lemon-dijon sauce with fresh herbs, slow-cooked to perfection for an effortless weeknight dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, dried thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 lbs, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup, halved baby carrots
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, and 1 tsp lemon zest.
- Step 2: Place chicken in slow cooker, arranging carrots around the perimeter. Whisk together 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 cup chicken broth, then pour over chicken.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F internally and carrots are tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Chicken with Lemon-Dijon take to make?
Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Chicken with Lemon-Dijon?
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 skin-on chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Chicken with Lemon-Dijon?
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 Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Chicken with Lemon-Dijon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Chicken with Lemon-Dijon?
American slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.