Lemon Garlic Chicken Packets
There are nights I want dinner to be special without adding more work to my plate. You know how that feels. I bet. The day gets busy, the to-do list gets longer and by late afternoon the last thing you want to do is stand in the kitchen an hour. But takeout doesn’t seem right, and a bowl of cereal isn’t going to make everyone at the table happy.
That’s why I started making these Lemon Garlic Chicken Packets. The first time I made them was nearly by accident. I had some chicken breasts in the fridge that needed to be used, a couple of lemons sitting on the counter and garlic that seemed to make its way into almost everything I cooked. None of those ingredients sound particularly exciting on their own, but together they make one of the easiest and most flavorful dinners I’ve ever made.
I remember packing the packets up early in the afternoon. It was less time than it took to make a sandwich. I stacked the chicken with fresh lemon slices, sprinkled garlic on top, added a little seasoning and finished with a little pat of butter. Then I wrapped each packet up tightly and put them in the slow cooker. That was that. No stirring. No checking every half hour. No worries about dinner for the rest of the day.
Hours later I returned to the kitchen and the smell hit me instantly. The lemon added a fresh, zesty aroma to the whole room, and the garlic and butter created that rich homemade smell that always makes people ask what you’re cooking.
I opened the first packet and steam drifted out, filling the air with even more flavor. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the juices in the bottom of the packet had turned into a simple sauce that tasted much better than I expected from just a handful of ingredients.
That night dinner was a breeze. Since then this recipe has become one of those go to reliable meals I turn to time and time again. It works for busy week days, lazy weekends and those nights when I just don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking. This recipe is a good example of the fact that the best recipes are usually the ones made with simple ingredients, cooked well.
Why You Will Love This Dish
- 5 easy ingredients
- Simple to prepare
- Fresh lemon and garlic taste
- Tender juicy chicken every time
- Easy to clean
- Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Perfect for meal prep
What You Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 ounces each)
- 2 lemons, sliced into rounds
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Directions
Step 1
- Spread out four large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Place a chicken breast in the middle of each.
Step 2
- Season each chicken piece with garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Top with slices of lemon.
- Don’t forget to add a tbsp of butter to each packet.
Step 3
- Tightly wrap the foil around the chicken, sealing each packet well.
Step 4
- Place the packets in the slow cooker.
- Cover with lid.
Step 5
- Cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 2½ to 3½ hours.
Step 6
- Unpack each packet carefully and serve immediately.
- Spoon the tasty juice over the chicken and serve.
Notes on the Recipe
- Serve with rice, roasted potatoes or steamed veggies.
- For a complete meal, add green beans or zucchini to the packets.
- Fresh lemon is best in this recipe.
- Chicken thighs are great and stay super juicy.
- Leftovers should be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Last Words
I love recipes that make life easier without sacrificing flavor and this one ticks all the boxes. The slow cooker does the work, the ingredients are simple and it tastes like something that took way more effort than it did. The best dinners sometimes come from the simplest of ideas.
