Hands up if you’ve ever stood in front of your slow cooker and thought, “This thing only makes food for a small army — what’s the point when it’s just me?” Trust me, I get it. I used to think slow cookers were only for families with endless freezer space and label makers. But here’s the secret: your slow cooker can absolutely work for solo living.
This recipe is proof. Lemon Herb Chicken with Vegetables is fresh, bright, and won’t leave you with four days’ worth of mystery chicken containers stacked in your fridge. It’s one perfect portion: juicy chicken, tender veg, and a zesty broth that tastes like spring in a bowl.
Cooking for one doesn’t have to mean eggs on toast (again), or trying to wrestle your way through a family-sized tray of chicken thighs. With a few smart shopping tricks (see below), you can make slow cooking not just possible — but a genuine weeknight win.
🛒 Ingredients (1 serve)
- 1 small chicken thigh fillet (skinless, boneless – about 120–150g)
- ½ small potato, chopped into chunks
- ½ carrot, sliced into thick coins
- ½ zucchini, cut into chunks
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon (reserve 1–2 thin slices for the pot)
- ½ cup chicken stock (salt-reduced)
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or a sprig of fresh thyme if you’ve got it)
- ½ tsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt & black pepper
🛍️ Solo Shopping Tip
Supermarkets love selling chicken in packs of way too many pieces. Unless you’re planning on opening a fried chicken food truck from your kitchen, that’s not ideal for one.
👉 Here’s the fix:
- Butcher or deli counter – ask for a single chicken thigh fillet (they’ll happily weigh and wrap one).
- If you must buy a pack – portion them into zip-lock bags or small containers, one thigh per bag, and freeze.
- Veggies – grab potatoes, carrots, and zucchini loose instead of the bulk bags. That way you don’t end up with a crisper drawer full of sad, bendy carrots.
👉 At the time of writing this article Kmart were selling a nifty little mini-slow cooker, perfect for 1-2 people. But you can also find small slow cookers over at Amazon.com.
👩🍳 Method
- Pop the potato and carrot in the bottom of the slow cooker (they take the longest to soften).
- Place the chicken thigh on top, then add zucchini, garlic, thyme, and your thin lemon slices.
- Squeeze over the lemon juice, drizzle with olive oil, pour in stock, and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is juicy and the veg are tender.
- Serve it all up with a spoonful of the lemony broth — which doubles as both sauce and soup starter. Two-for-one dinner magic.
🌱 Nutrition Note
- Protein punch: One chicken thigh gives you ~25g protein — enough to keep you full and support muscle repair.
- Fibre & vitamins: Carrot, potato, and zucchini bring fibre, vitamin C, and beta-carotene (immune support + happy digestion).
- Balanced fats: Olive oil adds flavour and a dose of heart-healthy fat without overdoing it.
💡 Tips & Swaps
- Cooking for future-you: Triple the recipe for 2–3 portions. Keeps 3 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.
- Veggie swap: Sweet potato instead of regular potato = extra sweetness. Add green beans in the last 30 minutes if you’re feeling fancy.
- Reheat like a pro: Add a splash of water or stock before microwaving to stop the chicken from drying out. Nobody likes chewy slow cooker chicken.
✨ Final Thoughts
Cooking for one doesn’t have to be boring, lonely, or wasteful. With a few smart shopping moves and the right recipe, you can use your slow cooker to make meals that feel special and sensible — without three days of leftovers.
If you enjoyed this recipe, why not explore more solo-friendly slow cooker meals on Plan4One.com? Better yet, hit subscribe so you never miss a new recipe, tip, or trick to make healthy cooking for one a whole lot easier. And hey — share this recipe with a mate who still thinks slow cookers are only for giant families. Let’s prove them wrong together.
