Simple garlicky marinated Crock-Pot Chicken and Lentils! A flavorful and fresh gluten-free crock pot chicken recipe that’s packed full of fiber, nutrients, and protein. Easy to make in the slow cooker, healthy, and great for ANY time of year. Make it for the family or for weekend meal prep.
Crock Pot Recipes to the Rescue!
I wanted a good bowl of nourishment and something that will last us during a busy week. So I made this crock-pot chicken and lentils last week, froze it, and now we have some for this week.
This recipe is an absolute lifesaver! For convenience, for health, for all the flavors! Oh and it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free.
The key to making this dish extra flavorful is the garlicky green sauce marinade. It’s so easy to make and is absolutely packed with fresh flavor! What could be better than slow-cooked chicken in a basil, mint, orange juice, garlic, sweet onion, and chili pepper?!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This garlicky green marinade also acts a part of the broth for the green lentils. When you slow cook lentils in a broth or marinade of some sort, you REALLY get more bang for your buck.
- Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breast works best as the lean meat absorbs the flavor of the garlicky sauce. However, you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Green lentils – A great source of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and iron. By soaking and slow cooking, you’re getting better nutrient absorption and digestive support.
- Broth – Use organic broth, vegetable broth/stock, or chicken broth.
- Butter or ghee – Feel free to use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter.
For the Garlic Green Sauce
- Sweet onion and garlic – For the best flavor, use whole garlic cloves, and mince them yourself.
- Fresh Basil – Choose leaves without brown spots or blemishes.
- Fresh Mint leaves – Look for bright, fresh mint leaves free from any browning or discoloration.
- Olive oil – Adds a rich flavor to the sauce and provides a boost of healthy fats!
- Orange juice – Used to enhance the flavor of the rest of the ingredients and adds a little sweetness to the sauce.
- Seasoning – Chili pepper, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
How to Make Garlic Chicken and Lentils
- Rinse your chicken and your lentils. Dry and set aside.
- Next maybe sure all your veggies for the green sauce are cleaned and chopped. Combine in a blender until green marinade is formed.
- Place broth and and lentils in the crock pot at the bottom. Mix together. Mix in your butter/ghee
- Place chicken on top, then pour the green sauce over the chicken, and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- There will be a nice sauce from the broth and green marinade. Serve the lentil and chicken in a bowl and place some of the broth on top.
- Garnish with extra sea salt/pepper and fresh basil.
- For an avocado cream sauce, combine ½ avocado with yogurt. Spoon over chicken.
More of Our Favorite
Easy crock Pot Recipes
Crock-Pot Chicken with Green Garlic Sauce and Lentils {Gluten Free}
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 5-6 1x
Description
Crock-Pot Chicken with Green Garlic Sauce and Lentils {Gluten Free}
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs skinless chicken breasts (around four 5oz. chicken breasts)
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth (gluten free)
- 1 tbsp butter or ghee (melted)
For the GREEN SAUCE marinade:
- ¼ cup chopped sweet onion
- ½ cup packed basil leaves
- 3 mint leaves
- 3 – 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (peeled)
- 2 oz (¼ cup) fresh orange juice
- ½ tsp chili pepper seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked (or regular) paprika
- ½ tsp each sea salt and black pepper (and any extra desired for when you serve individually plates)
For the optional Green Avocado Yogurt on top:
- ½ avocado mixed with ⅓ cup plain yogurt or sour cream. (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse your chicken and your lentils. Dry and set aside.
- Next maybe sure all your veggies for the green sauce are cleaned and chopped. Combine in a blender until green marinade is formed.
- Place broth and and lentils in the crock pot at the bottom. Mix together. Mix in your butter/ghee
- Place chicken on top and then pour the green sauce over the chicken.
- It will look soupy but it keeps the chicken more moist. See notes for other marinating options.
- Cook on low for 4 -6 hrs (until lentils/chicken is down) or high for 3 hrs.
- There will be a nice sauce from the broth and green marinade combined.
- Serve the lentil and chicken in a bowl and place some of the broth on top.
- Garnish with extra sea salt/pepper and basil if desired
- If you want to make the avocado cream, just combine ½ avocado with the yogurt until a dip is formed. Place a spoonful on top of chicken and lentil bowls.
Notes
- If you want the chicken to have extra spice and flavor. Add in a ½ teaspoon or more of cayenne and let the marinade sit over the chicken in a bowl for 20 minutes in fridge, then add to crock pot for the 3 hrs with the broth and lentils. Totally optional
- Estimated nutrition below without avocado sauce. Add an additional 40-50 calories per serving with the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 3 hr 30
- Category: dinner
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 406
- Sugar: 2.8 g
- Sodium: 462.6 mg
- Fat: 14.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.9 g
- Fiber: 4.4 g
- Protein: 40.5 g
- Cholesterol: 105.4 mg
Absolutely love this dish!! So hearty, healthy and comforting without sacrificing flavor!! Definitely has become a staple meal in our house
Hi Lindsay
Looking forward to trying this one, my daughters request.
But: I don’t have a croq-pot. have you ever tried in a regular pan? thanks
sandra from Switzerland
Hi Sandra! You can modify cooking to make it in a dutch oven on the stove. I would try medium low or medium for 60-90 medium first and see how the lentils and chicken cook up after 45. Adjust after that. Does that make sense? Keep me posted.
Made this tonight and it was super tasty. Lots of flavor and protein if you’re looking for a boost. Would be a great meal for the regular athlete.
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it Yvonne!
I have this in my Crock-Pot as we speak! 5 stars is for how it smells alone! Is there a ballpark calorie count per serving? I see there is for the avacodo dip.
Hi there! You mean calories without the dip? I would say closer to 375 if so ?
Hi Lindsay, I would like to make this recipe but I don’t have a slow cooker, just an instant pot…how would you adjust the cook time/settings? Thank you! Young-Mi G.
I would try adding oil to the instant pot then adding in your chicken and browning it for a few minutes on sauté first. Then add in your lentils and your marinade and mix it all together. Add the broth or water after that and mix again. Close the lid and pressure cook for 20 to 25 minutes with slow release. I might even say 22 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken. I haven’t tried in the instant pot so I can’t guarantee you this, but let me know if you give it a whirl. Hope that helps. Does that make sense?
Love me some protein + basil! Awesome flavors!!
Hi Lindsey, I just found this recipe when searching for slow cooker chicken and lentils. It is cooking away in my slow cooker now. Would you please tell me though what the red specks on the lentils in the picture are? Thanks so much, Luanne
Sure! The red flakes are red pepper flakes.
Do you think you could make multiple batches of the green marinade at once and freeze them separately to use at a later date?
I think so! Definitely try it. It’s such a good marinade.
I just love this website!
This sounds so yummy! Can’t wait to try. Question though, what did you use for the chili pepper seasoning? Did you use chili powder, cayenne pepper, or crushed pepper? Or was it something else?
Hey Blair! I used crushed pepper to blend with green sauce but I’ve used cayenne/chili powder blend before too. Both work. The cayenne is smokier in taste though. Hope that helps.
I love lentils and the flavor combination here sounds fantastic. Well done, my friend.
thank you hot mama! <3 how are you?
YUM! I LOVE lentils and haven’t made them in awhile. this sooo needs to happen 🙂 xo
let me know if you do friend. <3 it! <3 you
Look at those beautiful lentils! I totally have to get a crock pot just to try making them! This whole recipe is superb with all of the medley of flavors that go into it!
Not only pinned and tweeted. Actually printed too. Delicious as always Lindsay.
You’re the best! <3 you
I literally just “lost time” browsing your beautiful new site and gorgeous recipes & photos Lindsay!!! Woah…I am kinda…MIND BLOWN. Seriously! Excuse me, I need to keep browsing and pinning!
you are too kind. thank you! You’ve been a huge inspiration and encouragement. Your ebook is amazing. and I adore you. P.S are you home safe? Jet lagged? rest up! xxoo
Yes!! Got home yesterday, and YES am jet lagged, hence am up at 3am on a Sunday morning! ;(
Now I want dinner for breakfast! Looks delish!
ohh yea breakfast of champs for sure!
Lentils are amazing. I love them. They are so healthy and nutritious and can be added to so many recipes.
I so agree! hearty yet nourishing
This looks so good! I love lentils but don’t cook them often enough.
Thanks so much for sharing this – you’ve inspired me.
let me know if you give this recipe a whirl!
My mom loves making lentils. I’ll have to share this with her!I haven’t tried yet but this looks delicious. My only concern is that I believe I’ve seen that lentils are very high in calories and carbs, so should I realy be watching the serving size?
Hey friend! I only used a cup of dry lentils which serves about four. So the the calories including 1/2 cup of lentils are included. They have tons of fiber and protein so this is a filling recipe for sure! Great for post workout or for multiple meals. Does that make sense?
yes thanks! makes me laugh because when my mom makes it we are DEF overeating the lentils haha. They are so good it’s easy to go back for more and more.
Haha I can relate
Yuuuummm! I love lentils and this looks absolutely PERFECT! xo
Yum! This dish looks delicious! My sister loves lentil, so I gotta share this recipe with her!
Another bowl recipe for the win! Haha
as much as i love vacation, im ready for greens and working out. i will have to definitely make this once im back. love that it is slow cooker version!!!
Yes! Hope you are having a great time!
HOpe you are catching up but a Napa trip – lucky you!!!
YUMMMMMMMM here! I love chicken & lentils & protein! 🙂
It was for CEC work. Tons of lectures and long days but there was wine and I was happy at end of day haha
protein packed for sure!
Oh my golly, I love lentils! They are always a win no matter what dish they go into. Sounds delicious:)
Yea lentils. Would be great with tofu too
Too many peanuts, Lindsay?! JK! I totally know what you mean about needing your greens after traveling! This looks delicious! Believe it or not I don’t have a crockpot. How would you modify cooking to make it in a dutch oven on the stove?
Totally! Or just one big stew pot. I would try medium low or medium for 60-90 medium first and see how the lentils and chicken cook up after 45. Adjust after that. Does that make sense?
Welcome home, Lindsay! Yes…I always feel the same after traveling…love to come home to fresh veggies and lighter fare. Lentils happen very regularly in my house…they are so versatile and super delicious! Love this recipe…the green sauce with that bit of orange juice? Ahhhh…so good! Sauces like that make the whole dish!
I do agree! Greens and fiber haha! Yes, the sauce is soooo refreshing! Thanks friend
I love a great crock pot meal, this has my name all over it! And those photos, I could eat the screen!
Come over for a bowl! Haha I wish
I am all about the crock pot! And this combo of mint juice sounds amazing. Sharing this with my runner’s reset group!
thank you friend! let me know if any of them have questions or try this!
Pinning for later!! This looks SO GOOD! Love a good crock pot recipe 🙂
let me know whatcha think!
I always learn something when I read your blog. I had not idea about phytic acid blocking absorption… I always wondered why I should bother soaking lentils. LOL! Now I guess I’ll stop being lazy. 😉
Yay for fair trade!
you’re not lazy! LOL! But slow cooking helps with the lentils. so that’s easy too!
I hear ya, sister, only a few-day trip can throw me off kilter for a week or so, and I typically get home craving alllll the kales. I’m loving this super nutritious bowl and now you’ve got my mouth watering for lentils. Love it!
now you have me craving kale! LOL!
I am loving this combo of chicken and lentils and of course, anything in a crockpot you know I’m always on board with!
crock pot lovers unite. Especially when it’s like way to hot to grill. haha
Oooh Lindsay, that minty, basily, orange-paprika sauce/marinade sounds so totally yumalicious! What a fantastic idea to combine it with those lentils! And imo, that Green Avocado Yogurt is so totally not optional – what a lovely recovery meal after your trip – am bookmarking this to make after summer vacay!
I knew you would appreciate this sauce. Like so refreshing! p.s I don’t get your emails for blog updates anymore. Did I do something to unsubscribe?
Hmmm…I dunno…gotta see…
It’s a power-packed protein palooza!!! :O
haha best word ever!
You had me from “garlicky” BUT SERIOUSLY. Also, I’m loving the crock pot lately and trying to use it more and more, despite the weather being slightly warmer. It definitely makes my life easier.
You know I love my Crock Pot, and this is such a unique and healthy dish that’s full of BIG flavor. YUM!
it’s hearty but also really refreshing. if that makes sense? haha
You are so smart for freezing this! I always consider myself a bad traveler because I’m thrown way off no matter what, but I guess everyone is to some extent. The marinade in this sounds incredible!
the freezer is my best friend! haha. Next to the crock pot that is.