Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 chicken cutlets (about 1 ½ pounds chicken which is thinly sliced.); 1/2 cup all purpose flour; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. black pepper; 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup lemon juice; 1/2 cup chicken stock; 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard; 2 garlic cloves (minced); 3 Tbsp. capers (drained); 2 Tbsp. cornstarch; 2 Tbsp. water

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Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata is a bright, comforting twist on the classic Italian favorite, making it both weeknight-friendly and impressive enough for guests. Imagine impossibly tender chicken nestled in a luxurious lemon-butter sauce, speckled with briny capers and kissed with just the right amount of tang — all thanks to hours of slow simmering. This set-it-and-forget-it dinner means you get all the satisfying flavors you love in Chicken Piccata, but with a fraction of the hands-on work. Trust me, your kitchen will smell absolutely irresistible!

Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata is how a handful of pantry staples create layers of flavor. Each ingredient has a starring role, from the golden chicken to that silky, lemony sauce. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

Chicken Cutlets: Thinly sliced cutlets soak up every delicious drop of sauce and cook up fork-tender in the slow cooker.
All Purpose Flour: Gives the chicken a lovely delicate crust that helps thicken the sauce as it simmers.
Salt: Enhances the chicken’s flavor and brightens the whole dish.
Black Pepper: Adds just enough bite without overpowering the delicate lemon sauce.
Butter: Brings richness and that classic silkiness to the piccata sauce.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is a must; it creates the signature tang in every bite.
Chicken Stock: Deepens the savoriness and creates a juicy base for the sauce.
Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle complexity and a little zing you’ll crave.
Garlic: Just two cloves, minced, make the sauce aromatic and flavorful.
Capers: Their bright, briny punch is essential for that authentic piccata flair.
Cornstarch: Blends with water to ensure the sauce thickens just right at the end.
Water: Used with cornstarch to create the perfect sauce consistency.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata

Step 1: Dredge and Brown the Chicken

Start by mixing the salt, pepper, and flour in a shallow bowl. Dredge the chicken cutlets so they’re evenly coated — this gives each piece a bit of texture and helps keep them juicy as they cook. Quickly brown the chicken in a skillet with a little butter on both sides, just until golden. You don’t need to cook them through at this stage; you’re just building flavor and getting that irresistible color.

Step 2: Layer Flavors in the Slow Cooker

Arrange the browned chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Scatter in the remaining butter, lemon juice, chicken stock, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and those lovely capers. This is where the magic happens: as everything cooks low and slow, the flavors melt together into a bright, buttery sauce that’s good enough to eat with a spoon.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set it to high for about three hours. This gentle cooking transforms the chicken into pure fork-tender bliss, and lets all those bold flavors mellow out and meld together. The house will start to smell fantastic, so prepare yourself!

Step 4: Thicken That Gorgeous Sauce

Once the three hours are up, carefully move the chicken out (it’ll be super tender, so go gently!). Whisk the cornstarch with water to make a quick slurry and stir it into the hot sauce in the slow cooker. Return the chicken, cover, and let everything cook another hour. The result is a luscious, silky-smooth sauce that clings to every bite.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Dish up your Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata over a bed of pasta, fluffy rice, or creamy mashed potatoes. Don’t forget a flourish of lemon slices and fresh parsley for that signature piccata finish. Each bite is bright, buttery, and wonderfully comforting.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata

Garnishes

Fresh parsley brings a pop of color and a hint of herby freshness, while thin lemon slices make the dish look as vibrant as it tastes. Just before serving, sprinkle plenty of parsley and tuck in a couple of lemon wheels or wedges to really make those flavors sing – it’s a detail that elevates the whole experience.

Side Dishes

You can’t go wrong pairing Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata with simple buttered noodles, steamed rice, or fluffy mashed potatoes, which soak up every drop of sauce. I also love it alongside garlicky green beans or a crisp arugula salad for a little crunch and contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner-party touch, serve each cutlet over a nest of fresh pasta and spoon the lemony sauce overtop, finishing with capers and parsley. Try tucking the chicken into a crusty sandwich roll, or chop up leftovers and stuff them into a warm pita with arugula for a fresh lunch twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep any remaining Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata tasting fresh, store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers seriously crave-worthy for lunch or an easy second dinner.

Freezing

If you want to freeze for later, place portions of chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers or bags, squeezing out as much air as possible. Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata freezes well for up to two months; just thaw overnight in the fridge and you’re ready for a quick gourmet meal anytime.

Reheating

To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of chicken broth or water to keep the sauce silky. Stir occasionally and heat until just warmed through. Avoid high heat or overcooking to keep the chicken tender and delicious.

FAQs

Is it okay to use chicken breasts instead of cutlets?

Absolutely! If using whole chicken breasts, just slice them horizontally into thinner pieces for quicker, more even cooking. This also helps the chicken stay juicy and soak up more of that wonderful sauce.

Can I make Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata ahead of time?

Yes, this dish is perfect for making ahead. The flavors only improve as they sit together, so it’s a fantastic choice for meal prep or entertaining. Just store in the fridge and reheat gently when you’re ready to serve.

What if I don’t have capers?

While capers add the signature briny bite, you can substitute with chopped green olives for a similar effect, or simply leave them out for a milder flavor profile. The dish will still be flavorful and satisfying.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Definitely! A good one-to-one gluten-free flour blend works beautifully for dredging the chicken and thickening the sauce. You won’t lose any texture or flavor in your Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata.

How can I keep the chicken from becoming dry?

Be sure to use cutlets, not very thin fillets, and don’t skip the browning step at the beginning. Also, avoid overcooking; stick to the recommended cook times for best results. The sauce will help keep the chicken moist and flavorful!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like sharing a dish that’s both comforting and a little bit special, and Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata is just that. With its tangy, buttery sauce and melt-in-your-mouth chicken, it’s destined to be a new family favorite. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe—here’s to making both weeknights and celebrations a little more delicious!

Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 18 reviews

Author: Jack
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Enjoy this delicious and easy Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata recipe that is bursting with flavor. Tender chicken cutlets cooked in a lemony, buttery sauce with capers, perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.

Instructions

Dredge the Chicken: Combine salt, pepper, and flour. Dredge chicken in the mixture and pan fry until browned.
Prepare Slow Cooker: Add browned chicken, butter, lemon juice, chicken stock, mustard, garlic, and capers to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours.
Thicken Sauce: Remove chicken, mix cornstarch and water, and add to the cooking liquid. Cook for another hour until slightly thickened.
Serve: Plate chicken with sauce over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley.