This Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken is a little sweet, a little tangy and perfect over rice or noodles! It’s an easy crockpot meal for those busy days!
See the step by step recipe video down in the recipe card.
You’ll also love these Easy Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipes!
Table of Contents
To be totally honest, I didn’t think I liked lemon chicken until I stumbled across the recipe for this Baked Honey Lemon Chicken in one of my Grandma’s old recipe books.
It sounded interesting, so I thought I’d give it a try and I became obsessed.
It is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and savory and I think it’s even better than what I’ve had in restaurants! (And in case you’re looking for more honey lemon love, it is what inspired this Honey Lemon Chicken and Potato Skillet!)
Clearly, it was time for a revisit and a new twist: a slow cooker twist. It was destined to happen!
We love our slow cooker for easy meals on busy days! Some of our other favorites are this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, Crockpot Lasagna, and Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken.
Crockpot Lemon Chicken ingredients and substitutions:
- Chicken Breasts: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts because that is usually what we have on hand. You can easily swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs!
- Corn Starch: Coating the chicken in corn starch before browning gives them a little bit of a crust that adds great texture! You can skip this part if you are in a hurry.
- Oil: I use canola oil for all of my recipes, because it has a ton of good fats and a high smoke point. You can use another oil with a high smoke point as well.
- Honey: you will use clear honey (for this recipe), and not creamed. It adds the perfect sweetness to balance the lemon!
- Chicken Broth: I always use low sodium chicken broth and then adjust the salt as needed. If you aren’t using low sodium chicken broth, you may want to omit the salt.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: fresh is best! Opt for fresh lemons whenever possible for the best flavor.
- Soy Sauce: opt for low sodium soy sauce, or omit the salt.
Tips and Tricks for Making this Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken:
- The great thing about cooking chicken in the slow cooker is that it doesn’t cook too long, and so the sauce can hold onto a lot of its flavor. If you find that the flavors have dulled after cooking for several hours, try adding some fresh lemon zest to brighten it up before serving.
- We love this Honey Lemon Chicken served over rice best, but it’s also great over noodles or mashed potatoes, or just with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables! The options are endless.
- Don’t have a slow cooker? You can absolutely cook this up in a large pot on the stove top in a fraction of the time. It will be just as good!
- Taste the sauce after cooking to adjust the seasonings. If you think it needs a little more oomph, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest!
Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe + VIDEO
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
For dredging
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3)
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
For the honey lemon sauce
- ½ cup liquid honey
- ⅓ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon – zest before juicing!)
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into ½ to ¾ inch cubes. Place in a large zip top bag and add 3 tablespoons corn starch.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add oil and wait until hot. Add chicken to the pan, allowing space between each piece, and cook until lightly browned. You may have to do this in two batches.
- Place chicken in a 2.5-4 quart slow cooker.
- Stir together honey, broth, lemon juice, soy sauce, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons corn starch with a whisk until combined. Pour over chicken in slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or high for 1½ to 2 hours.
- Taste and adjust seasonings and sweetness and add lemon zest for an extra punch of lemon flavor if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Jack says
Sorry, didn’t mean to rate it yet. Making it tonight.
The Recipe Rebel says
No worries! I fixed it! Thanks Jack!
Jack says
What do you think about using a little fresh ginger in this recipe?
The Recipe Rebel says
It would probably work! Let me know how it comes out!
Cheryl S says
This came out excellent! I added red pepper strips with the chicken. Then a bag of frozen broccoli the last 15 minutes. Tasted just like take-out!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Cheryl! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Sofia says
Hi! If I leave the chicken breasts whole, can I leave it on low for closer to 6 hours? Thank you!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sofia, I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so it would be hard for me to advise. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes. Although I think 6 hours might be too long. It will depend on the thickness of your chicken.
Ashley says
The taste of the recipe is great however the only problem I have it the chicken comes out so dry? I wanted it to be more juicy what do you recommend? Not browning it beforehand? Adding more broth? Reducing cook time? I cooked on low 2 hours.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Ashley! I’d suggest just checking the temperature of your chicken. If you use a meat thermometer it will never come out dry.
Vicki Woods says
I found the same thing that others found. When I checked on it a half hour before it’s due time, the liquid was almost totally gone, with just a thick goo of honey/lemon left. I poured in at least a cup of broth and mixed it in and then it turned out ok. I think the recipe should state one full can of chicken broth. It still had plenty of lemon flavor and was good with the extra chicken broth.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Vicki, I’m sorry you had trouble with the recipe. Myself (and others) have had success with the bake time, so I wished it would of been a hit for you.
Cindy Kola says
I made this on the stove top. It was very good but a little thick
So I put more chicken broth in. The family loved it. Going to do the crackpot method next time I make it.
Cindy Kola says
Lol crock pot, not crackpot
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Cindy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Sue says
First time I made this I followed recipe exactly, it had good flavor but was too thick. Would have liked more sauce
Made again tonight, I doubled all ingredients in order to have extra but I added 2 cups of broth and during the last 20 min I added chopped red and green peppers. Family loved it
Will make it this way from now on
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for sharing Sue!
Connie says
Can I use lemon pepper seasoning instead of lemon?
Ashley Fehr says
Not for this recipe, since the lemon is a key ingredient.
Cindy Bordes says
Can I do this in my Insta Pot?
Ashley Fehr says
You could, but you’d want to cook the chicken in thin liquid and add the honey and thickeners after pressure cooking to avoid a burn message
Alberta A Huley says
I tried this recipe today,I like more sauce,so added alot of chicken broth,I love lemon anything 🙂 I enjoyed it.
Chrisy says
I didn’t think of adding more broth! Was trying to think how to make more sauce
Christy says
I liked it (stroke left my tastebuds off kilter) but family was meh. Hubby thought chicken was over cooked so next time I want to try it with precooking the chicken first. Also the sauce got really thick either I did something wrong or need to add more chicken broth
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Christy! The sauce does get quite thick but is easily thinned out if you would like it thinner.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad!
Patti says
Can you make it and then freeze??
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! It will freeze great 🙂
Maryanne says
Can you make without browning chicken first?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes you can! It just won’t have the same crust on it
Chrisy says
I was curious on this too. Will the chicken cook fully in the time given on low if you don’t brown first?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, the chicken will cook completely in 2.5-3 hours.
Christina says
Clear honey, where can I find it?
Ashley Fehr says
Anywhere 🙂 Just regular honey, not creamed
Melanie Hutt says
Can you substitute orange for lemon?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, I think that would work great!
Shelagh says
Delicious! This came together quickly & the flavors were amazing. The combination of the honey and lemon was so flavorful! Loved the convenience of the slow cooker, but that it cooked within a few hours – would be great for a weeknight meal. I served it over rice with steamed broccoli and it tasted like something you would order at a restaurant. Thanks for another great recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that!
Sally says
Haven’t made but had to rate to leave a comment. Recipe says to brown chicken, but video doesn’t brown chicken. Which way should you do it?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Sally! I have removed your rating for you. You do not need to rate to leave a comment. The recipe video has now been updated and everything should be fixed!
Janice says
This chicken is amazing! Crazy how simple the ingredients and prep were. Didn’t think the lemony flavor was too much at all – it was actually quite perfect. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Janice!
Mrs. Cook says
I followed the recipe exactly, just omitting the lemon zest and this dish was way too lemony for my family. My son (loves lemon) wouldn’t eat it at all and my husband, who usually eats everything, could only eat it with hot sauce on top.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it!
Danielle says
My grandpa use to order lemon chicken at this Chinese restaurant every time we went and I was never a fan. However, as an adult, I have learned to love those tangy flavors. And the crockpot is my best friend when I’m busy during the week. One pot meals are the BEST! I hear the Instant pot makes things quite easy, but I haven’t made that plunge yet.
Ashley Fehr says
YES! I have an Instant Pot but I haven’t used it much lately — I really need to do more experimenting with it!
Vanessa Stockford says
Hi! I was planning to make this tomorrow. Idk how often you check the comments! But if you make it on the stove what heat level would you use and how long to cook? Thanks!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Vanessa! It can be done in on the stovetop I just don’t have specific instructions for it. It would be similiar to this, except the chicken is cut into pieces so it would cook faster: https://www.thereciperebel.com/honey-garlic-chicken/ Hope this helps!