Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
7 Comments Feb 09, 2024
Updated Jun 12, 2025
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This easy-to-follow recipe for Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs promises a burst of zesty flavors, perfectly seasoned with the classic combination of lemon and pepper.
Pick up a few extra packs of chicken thighs and turn them into Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken and Red Potatoes or Slow Cooker Autumn Chicken Dinner.
Recipe Highlights
- Restaurant quality flavor with little effort
- Combines light flavored tender chicken with a crispy finish
- Economical cut of chicken
- Works for both weeknight dinners and Sunday Company
Key Ingredients
Fresh Lemon – Brings bright, natural flavor to the dish.
Olive Oil – Helps coat the chicke and gives moisture.
Simple Spices – A mix of savory, herby, and slightly peppery notes.
Chicken Thighs – Juicy and flavorful, perfect for slow cooking.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Whisk together a quick lemony mixture right in the slow cooker.
- Add the chicken, making sure it’s well coated in the flavor-packed base.
- Let it cook until the meat is tender and infused with lemony flavor.
- Finish under the broiler for a golden and crispy skin.
Sarah’s Tips and Variations
Do not use bottle lemon juice for it has a very strange flavor, especially in large quantities.
You can enhance the dish by adding vegetables like carrots, potatoes, mushrooms or bell peppers to the slow cooker.
The chicken must be thawed before using this recipe.
How to Serve
You’ll want to serve the chicken thighs with a side like garlic mashed potatoes or rice pilaf. Slow cooker mac and cheese or slow cooker red cabbage are always great side choices. Or you can make it a lighter dinner by serving with a Caesar salad.
Featured Comment
“Made this several times and it’s always amazing.”
– Michelle
Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
How to Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup lemon juice, about 1 very large lemon (Do not use bottled lemon juice)
- 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 2 ½ lbs. chicken thighs, bone-in, skin left on- just enough thighs to cover the bottom of the slow cooker.
Instructions
- Add the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper to a 5-quart or larger slow cooker and stir. Add the chicken thighs into the sauce one at a time skin down and swish around in the sauce, then flip the thigh skin up, do this with all the thighs. (There will be just enough sauce to coat the chicken).
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
- After cooking time is done, preheat the oven to broil (500 degrees).
- Cover a baking sheet with foil. Using tongs remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker onto the baking sheet.
- Place the chicken into the oven on top rack (My top rack was 2 levels down). Broil the chicken thighs for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them, so they won’t burn.
- If you want to use the sauce from the slow cooker (it’s fantastic!) Blot the sauce with a paper towel to remove the grease.
- Serve and enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Other Easy Chicken Recipes
Slow Cooker Chicken Curry and Crockpot Chicken Piccata are both easy, flavorful meals—one with warm spices, the other with bright lemon and capers. Try my Lemonade Chicken for a fresh dinner.
Crockpot Coq Au Vin and Garlic Butter Chicken bring rich, comforting flavors to the table, perfect for when you want something hearty but still simple.
Chicken Burrito Bowls and Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing offer totally different vibes—one customizable and fresh, the other cozy and classic.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs from A Southern Soul are juicy, well-seasoned, and great for pairing with just about any side. If you want a boneless version try my slow cooker lemon chicken recipe.
may I use Chicken Breasts instead?
Thank you.
You may need to add more liquid. I have not tried.
Made this several times and it’s always amazing.
Thank you, we love these chicken thighs too!
Do you sell slow cooker recipe books with few ingredients?
I only have one book, and it’s discontinued, I apologize.