1-First Step: Prepare the slow cooker and chicken Start by coating a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup much easier later. Pat the 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels so the seasoning and flour stick better. Next, season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides. Then dredge each piece in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, making sure the chicken gets a light coating.

2-Second Step: Brown the chicken for extra flavor Melt 1 tablespoon of the unsalted butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once the butter is hot, add the coated chicken breasts. Brown them for about 3 minutes per side. You are not trying to cook them through at this point. You just want a golden crust on the outside. This step adds a lot of flavor. It also helps the chicken look more appealing in the finished dish. If you have a few extra minutes, do not skip it. The flavor payoff is worth it.

3-Third Step: Build the lemon butter sauce Transfer the browned chicken breasts to the prepared slow cooker. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 packet of Italian dressing seasoning mix. Then pour in 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, sliced, over the top. As the dish cooks, the butter melts into the broth and helps create a rich, glossy sauce. If you want the cleanest lemon flavor, use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled juice. Fresh juice tastes brighter and smoother.

4-Fourth Step: Slow cook until tender Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer if you can, because that is the safest way to know it is fully cooked. Try not to overcook it. Chicken breasts can dry out if they stay in the heat too long, even in a slow cooker. Once they are done, the meat should be tender and easy to slice or shred.

5-Final Step: Serve with the lemon broth When the chicken is done, take it out of the slow cooker and slice it or shred it, depending on how you want to serve it. Spoon the lemon broth over the chicken and serve it on top of rice. The rice soaks up the sauce beautifully and turns this into a complete meal. You can also add a side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or a simple salad. The bright lemon flavor works well with lots of sides, so it is easy to build a dinner that fits your table.