1-First Step: Prep the slow cooker and chicken Start by coating a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray. This helps keep the chicken from sticking and makes cleanup much easier. Then pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels so the seasoning and flour stick better. Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. After that, lightly dredge each piece in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. You only want a thin coating, not a heavy breading. The flour helps the chicken brown and also gives the sauce a slightly fuller texture.

2-Second Step: Brown the chicken in butter Melt 1 tablespoon of the unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat. Once the butter is hot and foamy, add the chicken breasts and brown them for about 3 minutes per side. You are not cooking the chicken all the way through here. The goal is to build color and flavor on the outside. This step is worth the extra few minutes. The browned bits left in the pan add a deeper taste to the finished dish, and the chicken gets a golden crust that looks and tastes great. If you want another cozy chicken idea with a rich finish, try roasted red pepper spinach stuffed chicken.

3-Third Step: Layer everything into the slow cooker Transfer the browned chicken breasts to the prepared slow cooker in a single layer. Sprinkle the packet of Italian dressing seasoning mix evenly over the top. This seasoning is doing a lot of the flavor work, so try to spread it across all the chicken pieces. Next, pour in the 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth. Then add the remaining slices of butter over the chicken. As the butter melts, it mixes with the broth and lemon juice to create a glossy sauce that coats every bite.

4-Fourth Step: Slow cook until tender Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours. Keep the lid on as much as possible so the heat stays steady. The chicken should cook gently and stay juicy. Check the internal temperature near the end of cooking. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F in the thickest part. This is the safest temperature and the best point for juicy chicken breasts. If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking a little early so the chicken does not dry out.

5-Final Step: Serve with the lemon broth Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes. You can slice it for a neat presentation or shred it if you want something more rustic. Spoon the lemon broth from the slow cooker over the chicken before serving. This recipe tastes great with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even a simple green salad. If you like easy chicken dinners like this one, you may also enjoy more chicken breast recipe ideas for weeknight meals.