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Crockpot Lemon Basil Chicken

Crockpot lemon basil chicken combines succulent chicken, zesty lemon, and a homemade basil cream sauce. This flavorful chicken recipe can be served year-round, any night of the week! Make this dish as healthy as you want it to be. Tailor this lemon chicken to be paleo and Whole30 compatible or low-carb and keto friendly. Instructions to make this easy lemon basil chicken recipe in the Instant Pot are also included. 

close up shot of lemon basil chicken sliced over a bed of mashed potatoes garnished with fresh basil and sliced lemon

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Lemon Basil Chicken

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Lemon Juice
  • Whole Lemon (sliced)
  • Seasonings: dried basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
  • Chicken Broth
  • Heavy Cream or Full-Fat Coconut Milk

collage for crockpot lemon basil chicken (3)

How To Make Creamy Lemon Basil Chicken In The Crock-Pot

Slow Cooker

  1. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the slow cooker. Stir until well blended.
  2. Add the chicken. Gently toss so the chicken is evenly coated on both sides.
  3. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or  LOW 4-6.
  4. Remove the chicken & set aside. Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk.
  5. Return the chicken back to the slow cooker until ready to serve.
  6. Serve with the cream sauce from the slow cooker. Top with lemon slices and fresh basil before serving (if using).

Instant Pot

  1. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the pressure cooker. Stir until well blended.
  2. Add the chicken. Gently toss so the chicken is evenly coated on both sides.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook 12 minutes. When cooking time has completed, quick release the pressure.
  4. Remove the chicken & set aside. Turn the sauté. Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk. Cook 3-5 few minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Return the chicken back to the pressure cooker until ready to serve.
  6. Serve with the cream sauce from the Instant Pot. Top with lemon slices and fresh basil before serving (if using).
overhead shot of uncooked creamy lemon basil chicken in a black slow cooker

before

overhead shot of cooked creamy lemon basil chicken in a black slow cooker

after

Homemade Lemon Basil Sauce

I’m a firm believer that the key to good slow cooker recipe is a good sauce. A lot of my recipes are all about the sauce. This is another one of them. It was important to me that the sauce have the zest of lemon but also not be too overpowering. I also wanted this to be a simple dish so there aren’t any fancy ingredients. When ground basil cooks in the slow cooker, the end result is what looks like large black pepper flakes. Don’t be alarmed, it is basil and it will still taste like basil.

chicken breasts in a black slow cooker

close up shot of lemon basil chicken sliced over a bed of mashed potatoes garnished with fresh basil and sliced lemon

FAQs & Tips

  • The previous version of this recipe did not contain any cream or coconut milk. To make the old version, simply omit the 1 cup of heavy cream or coconut milk that is added at the end. 
  • There are many options for serving this easy slow cooker lemon chicken recipe. It will depend on your diet. Suggestions include over mashed potatoes like you in the pics, over pasta, or rice whether it be cauliflower rice or regular white or brown rice. How this is served will depend on your dietary restrictions. 
  • For this to be Whole30 compatible, use coconut milk instead of the heavy cream. 
  • Double this recipe to feed a larger crowd! If you do so, you do not need a larger slow cooker. 
  • I use a  6-quart slow cooker / Instant Pot.

Chicken Recipes 

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close up shot of lemon basil chicken sliced over a bed of mashed potatoes garnished with fresh basil and sliced lemon

Crockpot Lemon Basil Chicken

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Crockpot lemon basil chicken combines succulent chicken, zesty lemon, and a homemade basil cream sauce. This flavorful chicken recipe can be served year-round, any night of the week! Make this dish as healthy as you want it to be. Tailor this lemon chicken to be paleo and Whole30 compatible or low-carb and keto friendly. Instructions to make this easy lemon basil chicken recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 pounds chicken breasts, seasoned with salt & pepper
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 lemon, sliced (optional for garnish)
  • Handful fresh basil (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the slow cooker. Stir until well blended.
  2. Add the chicken. Gently toss so the chicken is evenly coated on both sides.
  3. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or  LOW 4-6.
  4. Remove the chicken & set aside. Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk.
  5. Return the chicken back to the slow cooker until ready to serve.
  6. Serve with the cream sauce from the slow cooker. Top with lemon slices and fresh basil before serving (if using).

Instant Pot

  1. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the pressure cooker. Stir until well blended.
  2. Add the chicken. Gently toss so the chicken is evenly coated on both sides.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook 12 minutes. When cooking time has completed, quick release the pressure.
  4. Remove the chicken & set aside. Turn the sauté. Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk. Cook 3-5 few minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Return the chicken back to the pressure cooker until ready to serve.
  6. Serve with the cream sauce from the Instant Pot. Top with lemon slices and fresh basil before serving (if using).
  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 298
  • Sugar: 0.6 g
  • Sodium: 775.1 mg
  • Fat: 8.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2.3 g
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Protein: 50.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 129.7 mg

 

 

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Crockpot Lemon Basil Chicken
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45 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes - The Clever Side

Sunday 22nd of March 2020

[…] Lemon Basil Chicken By Fit Slow Cooker […]

Lorenzo

Tuesday 6th of March 2018

Simple and delicious - cant wait to try this in my slow cooker

sbalding88

Monday 5th of March 2018

I'm definitely saving this to make later. It sounds so yummy and yet very easy. Can't wait. :)