1-First step: Prepare the slow cooker and season the chicken Start by coating a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray. This helps keep the chicken from sticking and makes cleanup much easier later. Pat the chicken breasts dry if needed, then season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Next, lightly dredge each piece in 1/4 cup all purpose flour. You only need a thin coating, so shake off any excess flour. This light dusting helps the chicken brown better and gives the sauce a little body as it cooks.

2-Second step: Brown the chicken in butter Melt 1 tablespoon 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 flavor and get that nice golden crust on the outside. This step adds depth to the finished dish, so do not skip it if you have a few extra minutes. The browned bits left in the pan also bring extra flavor.

3-Third step: Transfer to the slow cooker Place the browned chicken breasts in the prepared slow cooker. Sprinkle the top evenly with the 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning mix. This is where the dish starts to smell amazing, with herbs and tangy seasoning soaking into the chicken as it cooks. Arrange the chicken in a single layer if possible. If the pieces overlap a little, that is okay, but even spacing helps them cook more evenly.

4-Fourth step: Add the liquid and remaining butter Pour 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth over the chicken. Then add the remaining slices from the 5 tablespoons unsalted butter on top. As the butter melts, it blends with the lemon and broth to make a flavorful sauce. Fresh lemon juice really matters here. Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but the flavor is not as bright or clean.

5-Fifth step: Slow cook until tender Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a meat thermometer, this is the best way to check doneness. Try not to overcook it, because chicken breasts can dry out if they stay in the slow cooker too long. During the last hour, the kitchen will smell amazing. The lemon broth gets richer as the butter melts, and the seasoning mix blends into the sauce.

6-Final step: Slice, shred, and serve Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for a minute or two. Then slice it or shred it, depending on how you want to serve it. Spoon some of the lemon broth over the top for extra flavor and moisture. This dish is great with rice, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta. If you want more easy dinner ideas like this, check out the simple meal ideas on Kitchen Cooking’s dinner recipes.