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Flavorful, easy, bright lemon pepper chicken that you can make in the slow cooker or on the stove, plus 5 ways to serve it!
Today’s recipe is all about options! Options on how to cook it — hands-off and in the slow cooker or super quick and ready to serve from the stove — as well as lots of options of how to eat it. It’s such a tasty, healthy recipe, and this way, you can eat it every week and never get bored!
Some days I have my stuff together and I get my slow cooker out and load it up in the morning and we’re ready to rock for dinner. Other times, it’s almost dinner and I think, “Crap! I planned the meal, got all the ingredients and forgot to start the slow cooker!” Which is sad because the slow cooker version takes all of 5 minutes to prep. Anyway, that’s why this lemon pepper chicken has two ways to make it. In case you’re like me and you feel like your brain is leaking some days…
(Am I the only one who stands in the shower and wonders, did I already shampoo and condition my hair? Just shampoo? Neither yet? Hmm…)
Leaky brain or no, this is a simple, light and bright dinner that we love to eat year-round.
Here are my ideas of ways to serve this lemon pepper chicken deliciousness:
- Serve over brown rice (here’s how I cook it perfectly) or couscous to sop up all the juices. Just add a side of steamed broccoli or your favorite veggie.
- Serve alongside roasted potatoes (paprika roasted potatoes are especially tasty with this) and veggies. I like to drain most of the extra juices for this option.
- Serve the chicken in a wrap with lettuce and tomato. And my favorite addition to the mix when I eat it this way: my lightened-up 5 minute hummus. I like to use this option for the leftovers for lunch the next day.
- Or, toss with orzo or another pasta and any extra veggies for an all-in-one dinner or an easy light lunch.
- Use for a pulled chicken sandwich (mainly the shredded crock pot version for this). Everyone can top with their favorites: lettuce, tomatoes, even avocado. You can also use pesto or hummus as a spread on the bun – delicious! This is a great way to serve this to a crowd.
Try it out and let me know your favorite way to serve this! Enjoy!
Lemon pepper chicken (slow cooker and skillet versions)
Flavorful, easy, bright lemon-pepper chicken that you can make in the slow cooker or on the stove, plus 5 ways to serve it!
Ingredients
Slow cooker version
- 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon-pepper seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
Skillet version
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
Slow cooker version:
- Season chicken breasts with garlic powder and lemon-pepper seasoning.
- Add to crock pot along with chicken broth and 1/4 cup lemon juice.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
- Remove chicken breasts, shred and add back to the slow cooker. Stir to combine and get everything well-coated in the sauce. Add additional 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
- Taste and add salt and black pepper, if desired.
Skillet version:
- Season cubed chicken with lemon pepper seasoning and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add chicken broth, cover the pan with a lid and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
- Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest and serve!
Recipe Notes
The slow cooker method makes a lot. If you freeze the extras, be sure to spoon some sauce into the bags - it keeps the chicken from drying out while frozen and while reheating.
See the post above for my serving ideas!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 412kcal Calories from fat 99 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat 2g | 10% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 222mg | 74% |
| Sodium 209mg | 9% |
| Carbohydrate 5g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 70g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
November 12, 2015 at 10:42 AMYUM! Lemon pepper chicken is so delicious! I’ve never had it in the slow cooker before, but I bet it tastes amazing!! I love all your options for how to devour this too! Total weeknight winner right here, girlfriend! Pinned!
P.s. I’m constantly asking myself, “wait…what did I come in here for” or “what was I about to say?!” And I totally am guilty of questioning if I’m on the shampoo or conditioner step in the shower. 😀
Kathryn says
November 12, 2015 at 3:10 PMWhew, glad it’s not just me 😉 As for the slow cooker version of this, you know I’m all about keeping it easy!! Have a great weekend Cheyanne! XO
Susan says
November 12, 2015 at 3:29 PMI love your combination of lemon pepper and chicken, and then cooking it in chicken broth! That sounds so flavorful and yummy. Can’t wait to try it! And count me in for the Forgetter’s Club!
Kathryn says
November 12, 2015 at 10:36 PMSo glad to know I’m not alone! This lemon-pepper chicken really is so flavorful — and easy! Thanks Susan 🙂
Christine at Must Love Home says
November 18, 2015 at 3:52 PMHello Friend, This is perfect!!! Thank you for sharing with us at the Friday Favorites Link Party, where every link is pinned and tweeted! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! Hugs – Christine at Must Love Home
Kathryn says
November 19, 2015 at 5:44 AMThanks Christine! And thanks for hosting such a yummy party!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
November 20, 2015 at 2:48 PMYum, I must try this! I love shredded chicken and add it to pretty much anything…sandwiches, salads, pasta and more! This one is sure to be a winner 🙂
Kathryn says
November 20, 2015 at 8:21 PMI’m with you – it’s so great having shredded chicken on hand to make a quick meal out of just about everything! I hope you love this version, Lisa!
Nancy |Plus Ate Six says
November 23, 2015 at 5:30 AMI have a leaky brain on a regular basis – at least once a day I’ll walk into a room and just stand there trying to remember what I came in for. And often times it gets to 5pm and I wonder where the day has gone to – to a recipe like this is perfect for me 🙂
Kathryn says
November 23, 2015 at 3:05 PMHaha, I do the same thing, Nancy! “What did I come in here for?!” And that 5 o’clock is sneaky – pops up out of nowhere! Hope this recipe eases the stress for you on a frantic day. XO
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
November 25, 2015 at 12:09 AMI forget what I’m doing ALL of the time and normally remember about 20 mins later! i love a recipe with options and this would sure be popular in our house. Thanks for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays!
Kathryn says
November 26, 2015 at 7:25 PMHaha, Lauren, me too! Sometimes it takes longer than 20 minutes, but still… hope you have a great weekend! XO
Barrie says
November 27, 2015 at 8:35 AMThis looks delicious, for an easy weeknight-skillet meal. I love lemon pepper too, so this is right up my list of great meals- I may have to add this to this week’s meal plan!
Kathryn says
November 27, 2015 at 8:56 AMThanks Barrie! It’s such a good go-to and I love that you can use it in so many ways. Hope you give it a try!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
December 2, 2015 at 12:24 AMI definitely need to try this. We love cooking with lemon flavor here…I know my family would love this!
Kathryn says
December 2, 2015 at 10:13 AMThanks Michelle! It makes dinner SO easy! Hope you give it a try 🙂
Jenny says
April 29, 2016 at 3:13 PMThe crock pot version was delicious! I added about a cup of finely chopped spinach just before serving for a little bit of added veggie and color. I think peas might also be yummy mixed in. We ate it with (ahem, buttered) egg noodles and broccoli. Such a bright, fresh dinner!
Kathryn says
April 29, 2016 at 5:49 PMI’m so happy to hear you tried it! I love the spinach – and peas – idea to give it some veggies and pretty green color 🙂
Jenny Rice says
March 18, 2017 at 8:27 AMI was trying to make this recipe again, but for some reason the recipe card isn’t showing up this time. I can see the whole post, just not the ingredients list or directions. Is it just me?
Kathryn says
March 18, 2017 at 9:41 AMHi Jenny! I’m sorry, I’ve just switched recipe plugins and there seem to be some tech glitches. They are looking into it now. That recipe card appears to be showing up at the very bottom of the post – underneath the big Pinterest image. (Hopefully it will be moved back up soon once they figure out what’s wrong.) Sorry for the inconvenience!
Tez @ Chile and Salt says
July 3, 2016 at 8:28 PMWOW Kathryn, another AWESOME recipe! This is going on my to make soon list! Can`t wait to give this a try!!
Kathryn says
July 4, 2016 at 8:42 PMThanks so much Tez!
Kathryn M. says
August 11, 2017 at 8:38 PMThis is so much better than my standard baked lemon pepper chicken! I saved this recipe to Pinterest and will definitely be making it again. Thank you!
Kathryn says
August 13, 2017 at 7:46 PMI’m so happy to hear you loved it Kathryn and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! Also, yay for spelling our name the same way – don’t see that very often! 😊
Austin Huskerson says
March 9, 2018 at 10:35 PMWhat’s not to love?! Super simple , clean ingredients , tastes great, slow cooker version makes for perfect meal prep food! Thanks for posting this!
Kathryn says
March 11, 2018 at 2:08 PMThanks Austin! I hope you enjoy it!
Jamie says
October 26, 2018 at 10:01 AMCan you use frozen chicken breasts for this?
Kathryn says
October 26, 2018 at 1:56 PMHi Jamie, yes, I think frozen chicken breasts would be fine for the slow cooker version. It may take a little longer to cook but not by much. Hope that helps!