Description
This Slow Cooker Greek Chicken brings vibrant Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Enjoy tender, juicy chicken infused with aromatic herbs and tangy lemon, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- olive oil
- yellow or red onion, chopped
- garlic, minced
- dried oregano
- dried dill
- Kalamata olives, pitted
- chicken broth
- fresh lemon juice
- lemon zest
- optional chopped bell peppers (red or yellow)
- optional cherry tomatoes
- crumbled feta cheese (for garnish)
- fresh parsley or dill (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (optional)
Instructions
- Start by patting your boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
- For an extra layer of depth and flavor, sear the chicken in a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Lightly grease the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Spread the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly across the bottom.
- Arrange the seared (or unseared) chicken pieces over the onions and garlic in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the dried oregano and dried dill generously over the chicken. Scatter the pitted Kalamata olives around the chicken.
- Pour the chicken broth over everything. Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and grate in the lemon zest.
- Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2.5-3.5 hours until the chicken is fork-tender.
- Once cooked, if using chicken breasts, serve them whole. For chicken thighs, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the slow cooker, stirring it into the sauce.
- If you desire a thicker sauce, remove about a cup of the hot liquid from the slow cooker into a small bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth, then pour this slurry back into the slow cooker and stir well. Cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve hot, garnished with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley or dill.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended for their moisture retention. Searing the chicken adds depth of flavor. Add delicate ingredients like bell peppers or cherry tomatoes in the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to maintain their texture.