Crock Pot Lemon Italian Chicken with Capers
This Crock Pot Lemon Italian Chicken with Capers features tender chicken thighs simmered in a tangy lemon and caper sauce, creating a simple yet flavorful Mediterranean-inspired slow cooker meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 0.33 cup chicken broth low sodium
- 2 tablespoons capers drained
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried Italian seasoning.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Place the sliced onions evenly at the bottom of the crock pot. Lay the seared or raw chicken thighs on top of the onions. Sprinkle minced garlic over the chicken.
- In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken broth, and drained capers. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and onions in the crock pot.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Equipment
- Crock Pot
- Skillet
- Small Bowl
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice, garlic, and Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking. Use bone-in thighs if preferred but increase cooking time. To thicken the sauce, remove chicken and reduce sauce on stove or use a cornstarch slurry. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free chicken broth.