Gluten-Free Lemon Herb Chicken (Printer-Friendly Version)

Tender lemon and herb chicken slow cooked with quinoa for a flavorful gluten-free meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 1/2 cups white quinoa (uncooked)

→ Poultry

02 - 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

→ Liquids

03 - 3 cups gluten-free chicken broth
04 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Seasonings and Herbs

06 - 1 lemon, zested
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons gluten-free chicken bouillon powder
09 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to eliminate bitterness.
02 - Pat chicken thighs dry and season evenly with sea salt, black pepper, paprika, oregano, and thyme. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown to enhance flavor.
03 - Spread rinsed quinoa at the bottom of the crockpot. Arrange seared chicken thighs on top. Sprinkle minced garlic, chicken bouillon powder, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, and half of the chopped parsley over the chicken.
04 - Pour chicken broth and fresh lemon juice evenly over the layered ingredients. Stir gently to combine flavors without mixing the chicken into the quinoa.
05 - Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, or until chicken is tender and quinoa is fully cooked. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain steam and texture.
06 - Fluff quinoa with a fork and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with remaining fresh parsley and optional lemon slices. Serve warm.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Searing the chicken before slow cooking intensifies flavor and improves color. Keep the chicken layered on top to prevent the quinoa from becoming soggy.
02 - Allow the crockpot to rest off heat for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and liquid absorb.
03 - If using a larger crockpot, additional broth may be required to keep quinoa moist but not watery.

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