Easy Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Artichoke Hearts
Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a zesty lemon garlic sauce with earthy artichoke hearts, perfect for an effortless and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
- 1 can or jar artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Mince the garlic cloves finely. Zest one lemon and juice two lemons, removing any seeds. Drain the artichoke hearts and roughly chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the chicken breasts in a mixing bowl. Add olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss well so each piece is evenly coated. Let marinate for about 10 minutes if possible.
- Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the crockpot. Place the marinated chicken breasts on top, then scatter chopped artichoke hearts evenly over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork. If the chicken looks dry near the end, add a splash more broth and stir gently.
- Taste the sauce and adjust salt or lemon juice if needed. For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and simmer the liquid on the stove until reduced, then pour back over the chicken.
- Use tongs to transfer the chicken to plates, spooning artichokes and sauce over the top. Serve warm with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
Do not open the crockpot lid frequently during cooking to avoid heat loss. Marinating the chicken for 10 minutes enhances flavor. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for best results. Drain artichokes well to prevent watery sauce. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts but reduce cooking time slightly. For thicker sauce, simmer liquid after cooking. Frozen chicken breasts can be used but increase cooking time by 1 hour on low or 30 minutes on high.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
Keywords: crockpot chicken, lemon garlic chicken, slow cooker recipe, artichoke hearts, easy dinner, healthy chicken recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free