Let me introduce you to my secret weapon for busy weeknights: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken. This recipe is all about big, zesty Mediterranean flavors without fuss—just toss everything into your slow cooker, and a few hours later, you’ll have the most mouthwatering, tender chicken that’s perfect for piling on rice, stuffing into a pita, or serving over a vibrant Greek salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Set It and Forget It: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting so you can go about your day and come home to dinner ready and waiting.
- Unbeatable Mediterranean Flavor: Fresh lemon, herbs, and garlic soak deep into every bite of chicken for a tangy, aromatic dish.
- Ultra Juicy Every Time: Whether you choose chicken breasts or thighs, slow cooking ensures they’re fall-apart tender and never dry.
- Versatile for Meals All Week: Serve Slow Cooker Greek Chicken over rice, in a wrap, or even on salad—it’s meal prep magic!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It truly takes just a handful of essential, everyday ingredients to create this sun-soaked Greek chicken. Each one plays a starring role—think juicy chicken, bright lemon, and a medley of herbs—to bring bold flavor, aroma, and irresistible texture to your slow cooker.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs: Choose thighs for ultra-juicy, flavorful results, but breasts work great if you prefer leaner meat.
- Onion, thinly sliced: Adds a subtle sweetness and becomes deliciously tender as it slow cooks with the chicken.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the chicken moist and helps create a luscious sauce—don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand; you can easily skip it!
- Lemon, juiced: Delivers that iconic Greek tang and brightness that wakes up the whole dish.
- Olive oil: Adds silkiness and helps meld the flavors together beautifully.
- Garlic, minced: Four fresh cloves go a long way, making sure there’s plenty of savory, aromatic punch.
- Dried oregano: The backbone of so many Greek recipes, oregano brings earthy, herby depth.
- Dried thyme: Adds another layer of Mediterranean complexity and warmth.
- Fine sea salt: Don’t skimp—this enhances all the vibrant flavors throughout.
- Black pepper: Gives everything just a little background kick.
Variations
One of the best parts about Slow Cooker Greek Chicken is its flexibility! You can tweak the ingredients or flavors to suit your pantry, dietary choices, or even just tonight’s cravings—don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it.
- Add Veggies: Toss in sliced bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes in the last couple hours for a built-in vegetable boost.
- Make It Dairy-Free or Creamy: For a creamy version, stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt after cooking—or skip for a totally dairy-free option!
- Spice It Up: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a sliced jalapeño to the marinade for a subtle, warming kick.
- Switch Up the Protein: Try this with pork tenderloin or even chickpeas for an easy vegetarian twist.
How to Make Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Onion
Start by adding your chicken straight into the bottom of your slow cooker, then layer the thinly sliced onion right on top. This setup helps the onions soften and their natural sweetness infuses every bite of chicken while it cooks.
Step 2: Mix the Greek Marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together your chicken broth, zippy lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, thyme, sea salt, and pepper. This marinade will become the “secret sauce” that makes Slow Cooker Greek Chicken so craveable!
Step 3: Combine and Cook
Pour the marinade directly over the chicken and onions, making sure everything is coated. Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set it to LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours—resisting the urge to peek! The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible.
Step 4: Shred and Serve
Once the chicken is cooked through and ultra-tender, use two forks to shred it right in the pot so it can fully soak up those herbal lemony juices. Serve it hot, spooned over rice, noodles, pita, or your favorite Greek-inspired bowl.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
- Choose Chicken Thighs for Maximum Juiciness: If extra tender and flavorful chicken is your goal, opt for thighs—they’re more forgiving in the slow cooker and stay moist even after hours of cooking.
- Don’t Skimp on Lemon: For the brightest, freshest flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and even add a little zest if you love a citrusy punch.
- Layer Ingredients for Even Cooking: Always add the onions on top of the chicken so they soften gently without burning and their flavor distributes beautifully.
- Let It Rest Before Shredding: After cooking, let the chicken sit in the warm juices for a few minutes before shredding—this lets every forkful soak up all the delicious marinade.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Garnishes
Sprinkle your Slow Cooker Greek Chicken with a shower of freshly chopped parsley or dill for a pop of green, a squeeze of lemon for that extra zing, or a handful of crumbled feta to amp up the creamy tang—so simple but these little touches make the flavors sing!
Side Dishes
This chicken loves company! Serve over fluffy rice, alongside lemony roasted potatoes, wrapped up in pillowy pita, or tucked into a Greek salad with olives and cucumbers. Don’t forget a dollop of tzatziki on the side—you won’t regret it.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling the chicken into a Mediterranean rice bowl with tomatoes, cucumber and olives, or stuff it into pita pockets with shredded lettuce and tzatziki. For a fun party twist, set up a DIY gyro bar and let everyone build their own—and watch it disappear!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Greek Chicken keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days—making it a fantastic meal prep staple for quick lunches and dinners all week long.
Freezing
You can easily freeze the cooked chicken (with its sauce!) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat when you’re ready for a taste of the Mediterranean on demand.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and juices together in a saucepan over medium-low heat or zap in the microwave—add a splash of water or broth if needed to keep everything moist and succulent.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use thawed chicken for food safety reasons and to ensure even cooking. If you only have frozen chicken, let it fully thaw in the refrigerator before starting the recipe for the safest and tastiest results.
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Should I sear the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker?
Searing isn’t required for this Slow Cooker Greek Chicken—the marinade brings plenty of flavor! But if you want an extra layer of richness and color, browning the chicken quickly in a skillet before slow cooking is always an option.
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Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! If your slow cooker is large enough, you can easily double all the ingredients. Just keep in mind that cooking time may increase slightly, so check the chicken for doneness before shredding.
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What cut of chicken is best for Slow Cooker Greek Chicken?
Both boneless skinless breasts and thighs work great! Thighs are more forgiving and result in extra-juicy, flavorful meat, while breasts are leaner. No matter which you choose, the slow cooker works its magic for tender, fall-apart results.
Final Thoughts
Your kitchen is about to smell heavenly when you make this Slow Cooker Greek Chicken! I can’t wait for you to try it—just toss it all in, let those gorgeous flavors mingle, and get ready for a meal that’s as comforting as it is vibrant. Give it a go, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new weeknight favorite!
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Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Slow Cooking
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Description
This Slow Cooker Greek Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy dish that is perfect for a busy day. Tender chicken cooked with aromatic herbs and lemon juice in a slow cooker, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat that can be served in various ways.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the thinly sliced onion on top of the chicken.
- Cook: Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C.
Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, oregano, thyme, sea salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken and onions in the slow cooker.
Shred: Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker so it can soak up the juices. Serve warm with rice, pasta, pita, or on top of a Greek salad!
Notes
- No broth on hand? You can skip it. The chicken will have a few less juices but still remain moist.
- All slow cookers differ slightly in temperature and cooking times, so use the cooking time that is best for your model. I recommend checking the chicken a little early to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
- While I’ve used both chicken breast and thighs in this recipe, I prefer to use chicken thighs for the most tender and juicy chicken. If you use thighs, trim off any excess fat before cooking if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
