Slow-Simmered Preserved Lemon Chicken
Chicken thighs braised for hours in a fragrant broth with preserved lemons, yielding tender meat and a bright citrus sauce. This mediterranean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 90 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, preserved lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 preserved lemon
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh thyme to the pot, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup chicken broth and 2 thinly sliced preserved lemons.
- Step 3: Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until chicken is tender and reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Preserved Lemon Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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-Simmered Preserved Lemon 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Preserved Lemon 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 Slow-Simmered Preserved Lemon Chicken 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-Simmered Preserved Lemon Chicken?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
This was incredible! The preserved lemons gave such a bright flavor. My husband and kids loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavor, but it was a bit bland without extra seasoning. Next time I'll add more herbs.
- ★★★★☆
My family devoured this! Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
