If you’re craving a meal that’s both warming and vibrant, this Slow Cooker Greek Chicken will quickly become your new go-to! With juicy chicken, zippy lemon, herbs, and a hands-off cooking method, it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Greek taverna.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Low Effort, Big Flavor: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let the Mediterranean magic happen with almost zero hands-on time.
- Versatile for Meals All Week: Pile it onto salads, stuff it in a pita, or serve over rice—the possibilities with Slow Cooker Greek Chicken are endless!
- Incredibly Tender: Slow cooking guarantees melt-in-your-mouth chicken infused with that garlicky-lemon herb sauce.
- Family-Friendly & Meal Prep Approved: This recipe makes plenty, keeps well, and gets rave reviews from picky eaters and adults alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Slow Cooker Greek Chicken is how it transforms humble, everyday ingredients into an absolutely crave-worthy meal. Each component brings its own pop of flavor or texture—don’t skip any for the full Mediterranean experience!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast or Thighs: Go with thighs for the most tender and flavorful result, but breasts work beautifully, too.
- Onion: Sliced thin, it melts into the sauce and adds lovely sweetness.
- Chicken Broth: Keeps things moist and helps create a silky sauce—if you don’t have it, water works in a pinch.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is everything here—the acidity cuts through the richness and brings major Greek flavor.
- Olive Oil: Adds silkiness and classic Mediterranean taste—use a good-quality one if you can.
- Garlic: Four cloves might seem like a lot, but it mellows and sweetens as it cooks—trust me, it’s perfect.
- Dried Oregano & Dried Thyme: These herbs are the backbone of that Greek flavor profile—don’t skimp!
- Salt & Black Pepper: Seasoning ties it all together; sea salt and freshly cracked pepper are best.
Variations
Don’t feel bound to make Slow Cooker Greek Chicken the exact same way every time! This recipe is the definition of flexible, so swap and tweak ingredients as needed to suit dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
- Add Veggies: Toss in chunks of bell pepper or zucchini along with the onions for a complete one-pot meal.
- Spice It Up: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, or add chopped fresh chili if you love heat.
- Dairy-Free or Creamy: Keep it dairy-free as written, or add a dollop of Greek yogurt at the end for an ultra-creamy sauce.
- Switch Up The Herbs: Try replacing thyme with rosemary, or use fresh herbs in place of dried for even more flavor.
- Make It Low Carb: Serve the chicken over cauliflower rice or a crisp lettuce salad instead of grains or pita.
How to Make Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Step 1: Layer the Chicken and Onions
Start by arranging your chicken pieces (either thighs or breasts) right at the bottom of your slow cooker. Scatter the thinly sliced onion over the chicken—this not only adds flavor but helps keep things succulent as it cooks.
Step 2: Mix the Flavorful Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, aromatic garlic, silky olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Pour this herby, tangy elixir evenly over the chicken and onions. Every bite of Slow Cooker Greek Chicken soaks up these gorgeous flavors!
Step 3: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Cover and set your slow cooker to LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. The chicken turns irresistibly tender and soaks up all those sunny Mediterranean notes while you go about your day. Be sure to check for doneness—internal temp should reach 165°F (75°C).
Step 4: Shred, Soak, and Serve
Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. Give it a toss to fully coat in the luscious juices. Slow Cooker Greek Chicken is now ready for piling on a fluffy bed of rice, twirling with pasta, loading into warm pita, or topping a crisp salad—yum!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
- Use Chicken Thighs for Maximum Juiciness: Although both breasts and thighs work, thighs remain ultra-tender and juicy after long, slow cooking—a great choice if you want truly melt-in-your-mouth chicken!
- Slice Onions Super Thin: Thinner slices melt away into the sauce, adding sweetness and body without overpowering any bite.
- Check Doneness Early: Every slow cooker runs a bit differently—if your machine cooks hot, start checking the chicken 30 minutes before the lowest suggested time to avoid drying it out.
- Shred Chicken in the Juices: Shredding the chicken right in the slow cooker maximizes its flavor by allowing every piece to soak up the lemony, herby broth.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Garnishes
Top your Slow Cooker Greek Chicken with extra freshly chopped parsley, crumbled feta cheese, or a sprinkle of chopped kalamata olives for vibrant color and even more Mediterranean flavor. A few thin lemon slices or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil right before serving look gorgeous and taste amazing!
Side Dishes
This dish is a superstar with easy sides. Pair it with fluffy rice, orzo, or buttered couscous to soak up every last drop of sauce. For something lighter, go with a classic Greek salad, roast potatoes, or even warm pita bread alongside a bowl of creamy tzatziki.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful—serve Slow Cooker Greek Chicken as a DIY gyro bar with pita, cucumbers, tomatoes, and sauces for family-style fun. Or, pile the chicken on a big platter over greens for a beautiful party salad. Leftovers even make incredible stuffed peppers or grain bowls for lunch the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any cooled Slow Cooker Greek Chicken leftovers come to room temperature, then transfer to airtight containers. They’ll stay delicious in your fridge for up to four days, making weekday lunches or another quick dinner a snap.
Freezing
This recipe freezes like a dream! Once completely cooled, portion the chicken (with some juices) into freezer-safe bags or containers. Lay bags flat for easy storage, and enjoy within three months for the best taste and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm Slow Cooker Greek Chicken gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to keep it succulent. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and enjoy as freshly as day one!
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
For best food safety and texture, always thaw chicken completely before using it in your slow cooker. Cooking from frozen can lead to uneven cooking and isn’t recommended for this or any chicken slow cooker dish.
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What’s the best way to shred the chicken?
Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, simply use two forks to pull it apart directly in the slow cooker. This ensures every bite is coated in that aromatic Greek sauce!
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Can I make Slow Cooker Greek Chicken dairy-free?
Absolutely! The recipe is dairy-free as is, just be sure to skip any garnishes like feta or yogurt-based sauces if avoiding dairy completely.
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How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
Monitor your slow cooker and check the chicken a little before the suggested cook time. Using thighs helps, and remember: once the chicken easily shreds and reaches 165°F, it’s ready to enjoy!
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to give Slow Cooker Greek Chicken a try—it’s the easiest ticket to a Mediterranean feast right at home. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight win or prepping for effortless lunches, this recipe fits beautifully into your routine. Enjoy every bright, herby bite, and don’t be surprised if it quickly becomes a staple at your table!
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Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (High) or 6 hours (Low)
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Slow Cooking
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Description
This Slow Cooker Greek Chicken recipe is a flavorful and tender dish that’s easy to prepare. The combination of herbs, lemon, and garlic infuses the chicken with Mediterranean flavors that pair perfectly with rice, pasta, pita, or a fresh Greek salad.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
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