My slow cooker lemon chicken with asparagus is perfect for spring and summer, and goes to show the slow cooker isn’t just for stews and wintry dishes.
Now that Spring is in the air, thoughts are definitely turning towards being healthier and getting ready for summer over here!
With that in mind, I created this recipe that would fit in with my healthy eating plan as well as using seasonal ingredients.
Healthy option
The chicken is cooked gently with lemon juice and herbs, on a bed of onions.
I add the asparagus on top just before the end so it steamed nicely and didn’t lose its colour from being overcooked.
The result is a lovely fresh lemon chicken dish which I usually serve with more steamed vegetables and brown rice or new potatoes for a healthy midweek dinner.
Think the slow cooker is only for stews? Think again!
This dish is a great high protein low carb option as well as being a great family favourite.
Cooking time
Placing the chicken on a bed of onions keeps it from sitting in the juices as the dish cooks.
You end up with chicken that has almost been gently steamed during the long slow cook, full of flavour from the fresh herbs. No dryness at all!
The best way to cook chicken breasts in your slow cooker is to not cook for more than 3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.
If you cook for longer than this then the chicken can start to dry out and be tough.
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need for this recipe. Find the quantities in the printable recipe card further down the post.
- onion – I prefer normal brown onions in this recipe.
- chicken breast – I use a pack of 3 or 4 whole chicken breasts.
- oregano – dried oregano adds flavour to the chicken.
- fresh thyme – this adds some savoury depth to the flavour.
- lemon – for the juice and you can also add the zest.
- asparagus – fresh asparagus is delicious with the lemon and herbs.
- parsley – I like to add chopped fresh flatleaf parsley when serving the dish to add colour and that peppery flavour.
Method
Before you start, read my step-by-step instructions, with photos, hints and tips so you can make this slow cooker chicken and asparagus recipe perfectly every time.
Scroll down for the recipe card with quantities and more tips at the bottom of the page.
Step 1. Slice the onion and place in the bottom of the slow cooker pot, then put the chicken breasts on top.
Step 2. Sprinkle over the oregano, squeeze half a lemon over the chicken, arrange the fresh thyme in between the chicken breasts.
Step 3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours (or on high for 3 hours).
Step 4. For the last fifteen minutes of cooking, add the asparagus on top of the chicken.
Serve with fresh parsley garnish, squeeze over the other half of the lemon and serve with fresh lemon.
How to serve
This slow cooker lemon chicken is great served with more steamed vegetables and rice, or even with courgette/zucchini noodles.
The herbs add a nice touch of flavour, you can add more fresh herbs just before serving too.
Add the asparagus near the end of the cooking time to retain the goodness and fresh green colour.
Just lift the chicken and asaparagus out of your slow cooker pot and serve.
Delicious too with steamed new potatoes and additional green vegetables, broccoli goes well.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Lemon and Herb Chicken with Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 brown onion sliced
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1-2 tsp dried oregano
- 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- juice of half a lemon
- 100 g asparagus
- lemon and parsley, to serve
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker, then place the chicken breasts on top.1 brown onion, 4 chicken breasts
- Sprinkle the oregano over the chicken, and squeeze the lemon half over the chicken. Arrange the fresh thyme on and between the chicken breasts.1-2 tsp dried oregano, juice of half a lemon, 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
- Add the asparagus on top of the chicken for the last 15 minutes of cooking, to steam.100 g asparagus
- Serve with fresh parsley and the rest of the lemon juice over it, with more fresh lemon segments on the side.lemon and parsley, to serve
This is my entry for this month’s Slow Cooked Challenge which I am hosting, and for which I set the theme of Spring Ingredients.
The fresh asparagus I included is a seasonal ingredient and including lots of herbs also makes this perfect for Spring!
Pat says
Can u add potatos
kerrycooks says
Yum, I love how light and fresh this looks!
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Kerry! It stayed nice and fresh which was great!
Jan says
Oh wow I love all your slow cooker dinners they always look amazing!
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Jan, love to use a slow cooker in the summer still when busy with the kids!
Penelope says
Oh this looks lovely – you’re absolutely right, I do forget about my slow cooker once the weather turns warmer. I’ll have to give this a try, not least as I adore asparagus.
Janice @FarmersgirlCook says
Wow! I can’t believe the asparagus didn’t disintegrate, I guess having it sit on top of the chicken means it was gently steamed. What a lovely recipe for the spring slow cooked challenge.
bakingqueen74 says
It was only in for a very short time as I didn’t want it to lose colour! Thanks Janice, this is going to be made over and over again now