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–+ servings
Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken

Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken for Effortless Family Dinners

Discover the delightful flavors of Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken, an effortless meal perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs for richer flavor
For the Marinade
  • 12 ounces lemonade concentrate thawed before use
  • 2 tablespoons garlic paste or substitute with fresh minced garlic
  • 1 cup brown sugar or white sugar as alternative
  • 1/2 cup ketchup classic or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes increase for more heat
For Thickening
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot as substitute
  • 1/4 cup water to make slurry
For Garnish
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons parsley optional

Equipment

  • slow cooker
  • Mixing bowl
  • cast-iron skillet
  • saucepan

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the thawed lemonade concentrate, garlic paste, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
  2. Place your chicken breasts or thighs into the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them soak for about 10 minutes.
  3. Add a splash of olive oil to the hot skillet and carefully sear the marinated chicken for about 1 minute on each side.
  4. Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker and pour any leftover marinade over the top.
  5. Set your slow cooker to low and let the chicken cook for about 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours.
  6. Once cooked, remove the chicken and prepare a slurry with cornstarch and water, whisking it into the cooking liquid to thicken.
  7. Serve the chicken on a platter, top with the thickened sauce, and garnish with lemon zest and parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 34gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 450mgSugar: 15gCalcium: 2mgIron: 5mg

Notes

Searing the chicken enhances flavor; marination aids flavor absorption. Adjust sauce consistency with cornstarch slurry as needed. For best flavor, serve hot.

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