Delicious Buttermilk Chicken is a simple and quick weeknight family dinner that can be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot!! Thank you to AE Dairy for sponsoring this post!
I love this time of year when the days stretch a little longer and the sun peeks out more often. It makes me crave relaxed family dinners on the back patio—easy meals that let me spend time with my family instead of standing over the stove. That’s why this buttermilk chicken is perfect: a few simple ingredients, a short prep, and the slow cooker or Instant Pot does the rest. The buttermilk keeps the chicken exceptionally juicy and tender, and the recipe is family-friendly and straightforward.
I try to use quality ingredients whenever possible. As a food blogger I get occasional opportunities to visit the sources behind the brands I use, and I recently visited AE Dairy in Des Moines, Iowa. Seeing their operation firsthand made me appreciate the product even more. AE Dairy works with local Iowa farmers and focuses on creating consistently high-quality dairy products—something I value when cooking for my family.
The facility tour was impressive—clean, efficient, and focused on quality. Even better were the people I met: the CEO Miriam Erickson Brown (granddaughter of the founder), the marketing director Kim Peter, and many dedicated team members. Their passion for producing great dairy products stood out and made the visit memorable.
One of the highlights was participating in their weekly taste testing. It was fun to sample many products alongside their team, and I left with several favorites that I planned to keep stocked at home.
Now for the recipe I promised. This buttermilk chicken uses AE Buttermilk to marinate bone-in, skin-on pieces so the meat stays moist and flavorful. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or for prepping ahead. You can finish the chicken under the broiler to crisp the skin if you like—either way it makes a satisfying, simple main dish.
I’m excited to be working with AE Dairy throughout the year to develop more recipes. Keep an eye out for new dishes featuring their products.
Buttermilk Chicken (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot}
Jennifer Draper
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Ingredients
- 3-4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3-4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- fresh herbs (I used 2 sprigs each rosemary, thyme, sage)
Instructions
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Add chicken to a large freezer bag.
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Whisk together buttermilk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; pour over the chicken.
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Add fresh herbs and seal the bag.
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Marinate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
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Add the contents of the bag to the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
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Slow cooker: cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–8 hours. Instant Pot/pressure cooker: cook on manual for 15 minutes, then allow a natural pressure release.
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Optional: transfer the chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet and broil 3–4 minutes to crisp and brown the skin.
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Serve garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Important nutritional disclaimer
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of AE Dairy. The opinions and text are all mine.