Slow Cooker Chicken with Zucchini, Butter Beans, and Creamy Basil Lemon Sauce

Name: Slow Cooker Chicken with Zucchini, Butter Beans, and Creamy Basil Lemon Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 260 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión mediterránea
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 14 oz zucchini; 2 cups cooked butter beans; 1 1/2 cups yellow onion; 4 cloves garlic; 3/4 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 3/4 cup fresh basil; 1 whole lemon; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp water; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

An original slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken thighs slowly cooked with zucchini, onion, and butter beans, finished with a silky creamy basil, lemon, and Parmesan sauce. Comforting, aromatic, and practical for a complete meal.

20 minPrep

240 minCook

260 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en trozos large)
400 g zucchini (en medias lunas gruesas)
400 g cooked butter beans (escurridas and enjuagadas)
180 g yellow onion (en pluma fina)
12 g garlic (chopped)
180 ml chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
120 ml heavy cream (for the sauce)
35 g grated Parmesan cheese (more a poco extra optional for servir)
20 g fresh basil (leaves sueltas, chopped or rasgadas)
1 unit lemon (2 tbsp juice)
15 ml olive oil
8 g cornstarch (for espesar, si hace falta)
15 ml water (for mezclar with the maicena)
6 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
1 g dried oregano
0.5 g red pepper flakes (optional)

Nutrition facts

per serving

478 kcal

Calories

39 g

Protein

18 g

Carbs

28 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

13 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

1
1. Lightly grease the slow cooker with the olive oil. Place the yellow onion and garlic on the bottom.
2
2. Season the chicken thighs with the salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes, if using. Set the chicken over the onion and garlic.
3
3. Add the chicken broth and the lemon zest. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C.
4
4. Uncover and add the zucchini and butter beans around and over the chicken. Cover again and cook for 30 more minutes on high, or until the zucchini is tender but not falling apart.
5
5. Transfer the chicken to a board and cut or shred it into large pieces. Return it to the slow cooker.
6
6. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and lemon juice. Mix gently to combine the sauce.
7
7. If you want a thicker sauce, whisk the cornstarch with the water until smooth. Add it to the slow cooker, stir, and cook for 10 more minutes on high until the sauce thickens slightly.
8
8. Taste and adjust with more salt, black pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Serve hot, with a little extra fresh basil or grated Parmesan on top if desired.

Chef tips

Do not add the zucchini at the beginning or it may become too soft. For deeper flavor, brown the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side before transferring it to the slow cooker.

Substitutions

You can substitute the butter beans with cannellini or other white beans. The heavy cream can be replaced with lactose-free cooking cream, though the flavor will be slightly different. Parmesan can be replaced with grated Pecorino.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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Illustrative image
Teakhaus Teak Cutting Board
Stable base for chopping
- Stable surface for chopping
- Gentle on your knife edge
- Hand-wash and let it dry
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