There’s something magical about lifting the lid off your slow cooker and being hit with the bright, buttery aroma of lemon, garlic, and herbs. This Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata gives you all the restaurant-style flavor of classic piccata with hardly any effort – just a few minutes of prep, then your slow cooker takes over.

Tender, golden chicken breasts simmer low and slow in a zesty lemon-garlic broth, then get finished with briny capers and a silky, butter-enriched sauce. It’s elegant enough for date night but easy enough for a Tuesday, and it pairs beautifully with everything from pasta to mashed potatoes.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata

If you love bright, lemony chicken dinners that still feel cozy and comforting, this one’s going to be on repeat. The slow cooker keeps the chicken incredibly juicy while infusing it with layers of garlic, citrus, and herb flavor. You still get that signature piccata tang, but without standing over the stove.

This recipe is also wonderfully forgiving. You can sear the chicken first for extra flavor or skip that step if you’re in a rush. The sauce thickens right in the slow cooker at the end, so you’re left with a glossy, spoonable gravy that’s just begging to be drizzled over everything on your plate.

What Makes Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata Perfect for Busy Nights?

Traditional chicken piccata is quick, but it does tie you to the skillet. This crockpot version lets you do the flavor-building steps up front, then walk away. Once the chicken is tucked into the slow cooker with broth, lemon juice, garlic, and capers, dinner practically cooks itself.

It also reheats beautifully, so you can cook once and enjoy it for lunches or another easy dinner later in the week. Add a simple side, and you’ve got a complete meal that tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did.

Ingredients for the Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata

Before you start, it helps to know why each ingredient is here – that way you can make smart swaps if you need to.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Lean protein that turns tender in the slow cooker. Slicing them into cutlets helps them cook evenly and soak up more flavor.
Kosher salt and black pepper – Simple seasoning that brings all the flavors into focus and keeps the chicken from tasting flat.
All-purpose flour – Lightly coats the chicken so it browns nicely in the pan and helps thicken the sauce as it cooks.
Olive oil – Gives the chicken a beautiful golden crust when you sear it and adds richness to the sauce.
Unsalted butter – Adds classic piccata richness and a velvety finish to the lemon-garlic sauce.
Fresh garlic – The star of this version. It mellows and sweetens as it cooks, infusing every bite with savory aroma.
Low-sodium chicken broth – Forms the base of the sauce and keeps everything moist in the crockpot without becoming too salty.
Fresh lemon juice – Brings that bright, tangy piccata flavor and balances the richness of the butter.
Dry white wine (optional) – Adds depth and a subtle acidity. You can replace it with extra broth if you prefer to cook without wine.
Capers – Tiny, briny flavor bombs that make chicken piccata taste like chicken piccata.
Italian seasoning or dried oregano – Adds a gentle herbal note that rounds out the garlic and lemon.
Cornstarch – Whisked with water at the end to quickly thicken the cooking liquid into a silky sauce.
Fresh parsley – Sprinkled on just before serving for freshness and color.
Lemon slices – Optional garnish that looks lovely on the platter and adds another pop of citrus.

How To Make the Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata

Once everything is prepped, the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting. Here’s how to build deep flavor with just a few simple steps.

Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken

Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to make thinner cutlets if they’re very thick. Pat them dry with paper towels so they’ll brown nicely, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken for Extra Flavor

Heat the olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the floured chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sear for 2–3 minutes per side, just until lightly golden. You don’t need to cook it through – the slow cooker will finish the job. Transfer the browned chicken to the crockpot.

Step 3: Build the Lemon-Garlic Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring so it doesn’t burn. Pour in the white wine (if using) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and capers. Let the mixture bubble for a minute, then pour it all over the chicken in the slow cooker.

Step 4: Slow Cook Until Tender

Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3–4 hours or on high for 1½–2½ hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender. Try not to lift the lid too often so the slow cooker can maintain its heat.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

When the chicken is done, whisk the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Gently remove the chicken to a plate. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the hot cooking liquid in the crockpot, then add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Turn the slow cooker to high, cover, and let the sauce cook for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until slightly thickened and glossy.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Return the chicken to the crockpot or arrange it on a serving platter. Spoon the lemon-garlic caper sauce over the top, scatter with fresh parsley, and garnish with lemon slices. Serve warm with your favorite sides so none of that delicious sauce goes to waste.

How to Serve and Store Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata

This Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata is hearty enough to be the star of your plate but light enough that you won’t feel weighed down. It’s perfect for spooning over buttery mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or a tangle of al dente pasta so the bright sauce has something to soak into.

As written, this recipe comfortably serves 4 people (or 4–6 if you’re pairing it with a generous spread of sides). If you’re cooking for a crowd, you can easily double the recipe as long as your slow cooker is large enough and the chicken pieces are mostly in a single layer.

Leftovers keep well, too. Store cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months – thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What to Serve With Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata?

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Lemon-garlic sauce and capers over a mound of smooth mashed potatoes is pure comfort food. The potatoes soak up every drop of that bright, buttery gravy.

Buttered Egg Noodles or Linguine

For a classic restaurant-style feel, serve the chicken over egg noodles or linguine tossed with a little butter, salt, and pepper.

Steamed or Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus loves lemon, so it’s a natural partner here. Roast it with olive oil, salt, and pepper or steam it lightly and finish with a squeeze of lemon.

Simple Green Salad

A crisp salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the sauce and keeps dinner feeling fresh.

Garlic Roasted Broccoli

Double up on the garlic theme with roasted broccoli florets tossed in olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until charred at the edges.

Herbed Rice Pilaf

Fluffy rice cooked with a bit of butter and herbs makes another easy base for the lemony sauce and keeps the meal naturally gluten-friendly if you use a gluten-free flour for dredging.

Want More Slow Cooker Chicken Ideas?

If this Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata wins a spot in your weeknight rotation, you’ll probably love exploring more cozy slow cooker favorites too:

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup for a zesty, Tex-Mex style bowl loaded with shredded chicken and toppings.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken when you’re craving something sweet-savory with sticky sauce over rice.
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes for an ultra-comforting all-in-one meal.
Crockpot Swiss Steaks if you want another set-it-and-forget-it, gravy-rich dinner option.

These easy mains are perfect for busy evenings when you still want a homemade, comforting meal waiting for you.

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📌 Save this Garlic Crockpot Chicken Piccata to your Pinterest dinner board so you can find it again whenever you need an easy, impressive meal.

If you make it, come back and tell me how it went! Did you add extra garlic? Swap the wine for more broth? Serve it over pasta or potatoes? I love hearing the little tweaks that make a recipe your own, and your questions help other home cooks feel confident trying it too.

For even more everyday dinner inspiration and cozy comfort food ideas, follow along on Nora Nosh Pinterest recipes where I share new dishes, step-by-step photos, and plenty of family-friendly meals.