Lemon Chicken with Summer Pasta Salad

Name: Lemon Chicken with Summer Pasta Salad (Slow Cooker)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 lbs chicken breast, cut into quarters; 2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder; 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning; 1 tbsp chicken seasoning blend; 2 tsp minced garlic; salt, to taste; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tbsp onion powder; 1 tbsp paprika; black pepper, to taste; 1 tbsp parsley flakes; 1 lemon, juiced; 1/4 cup butter, cut into pats; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 16 oz pasta (such as rotini or shells); 1 cup cheddar cheese, diced; 1 large tomato, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 1/2 medium onion, diced; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 tsp paprika (for salad); 1 tsp onion powder (for salad)

This slow cooker lemon chicken delivers tender, seasoned chicken breasts infused with citrus and herbs, paired with a refreshing creamy pasta salad for a complete summer meal that requires minimal hands-on time.

🌍American 🏷️Lemon chicken 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Chicken 🏷️Summer salad Comfort food

🏷️

🏷️Family meal

-0:00

TikTok

Total

4h 20m

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$41–$68

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken breast, cut into quarters
2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
1 tbsp chicken seasoning blend
2 tsp minced garlic
salt, to taste
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp paprika
black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp parsley flakes
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup butter, cut into pats
1/2 cup chicken broth
16 oz pasta (such as rotini or shells)
1 cup cheddar cheese, diced
1 large tomato, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp paprika (for salad)
1 tsp onion powder (for salad)

24 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Place the quartered chicken breasts into the bottom of a slow cooker.
2
Season the chicken directly in the pot with chicken bouillon, lemon pepper, chicken seasoning, minced garlic, salt, oregano, thyme, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and parsley flakes.
3
Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the seasoned chicken.
4
Top the chicken with pats of butter.
5
Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker.
6
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.
7
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the pasta salad. Cook pasta in a pot of boiling water for 9-11 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.
8
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced cheese, diced tomato, diced celery, and diced onion.
9
Add the mayonnaise and sour cream to the bowl.
10
Season the salad with paprika, black pepper, and onion powder.
11
Mix everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
12
Serve the cooked lemon chicken alongside the summer pasta salad.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Don't skip the chicken bouillon powder and lemon pepper seasoning—they build deep umami and citrus flavor without fresh lemons that can overcook and turn bitter in slow cooker.
Cut chicken into uniform quarter pieces so they cook evenly; thicker pieces can dry out while thin edges shred.
Assemble the pasta salad 30 minutes before serving rather than hours ahead to preserve pasta texture and prevent the dressing from making it mushy.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining; stir a few tablespoons into the salad if it dries out during storage.

Substitutions

Chicken thighs → chicken breasts (thighs stay juicier but need 30 minutes less cooking time on low)
Dried oregano + thyme → Italian seasoning blend (use 2 tsp total; adjust to taste)
Chicken bouillon powder → low-sodium chicken broth (use 1 cup liquid, reduce other seasonings by half to avoid over-salting)

Storage & make-ahead

Store chicken and pasta salad separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken gently in a 325°F oven with a splash of water; serve cold or room-temperature pasta salad alongside.

Equipment

slow cooker (4–6 quart capacity) · meat thermometer

Common Questions

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, frozen chicken works in a slow cooker but add 1–2 hours to cooking time. Thaw first for more even cooking and better seasoning absorption.

What temperature should the chicken reach?

Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest part.

Can I make the pasta salad ahead?

Yes, prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Add fresh herbs and dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess.

What pasta shapes work best?

Use short pasta like farfalle, penne, or rotini that holds creamy dressing well. Avoid long noodles that clump in salad.

How do I prevent dry chicken in the slow cooker?

Cook on low for 4–5 hours rather than high, and avoid overcooking past 165°F internal temperature. Chicken will continue to cook slightly after turning off the heat.