Description
Greek-inspired Slow Cooker Chicken brings Mediterranean comfort straight to dinner tables, blending tender meat with zesty herbs and tangy olives. Fragrant rosemary and lemon elevate this simple yet sophisticated dish, promising a delightful meal anyone can easily prepare and savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (0.9 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 1 lemon, zested
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or rosemary)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup (75 g) kalamata olives (optional)
- ½ cup (75 g) crumbled feta cheese (for serving)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Transfer chicken into the slow cooker, ensuring an even coating with the prepared marinade, then strategically layer sliced red onion and kalamata olives across the protein.
- Cooking Process: Secure the lid and set the slow cooker to low temperature, allowing the chicken to gently simmer and tenderize for 5-6 hours, or alternatively use high setting for 2.5-3.5 hours until the meat reaches optimal tenderness and is fully cooked through.
- Finishing Touches: Once cooking is complete, carefully shred or slice the chicken, then garnish generously with crumbled feta cheese and freshly chopped parsley to enhance flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Allow chicken to soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes before slow cooking to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.
- Check chicken periodically to prevent overcooking, adding a splash of chicken broth if the meat seems dry during cooking.
- Substitute chicken thighs for breasts to increase juiciness, or use boneless skinless chicken for easier shredding and serving.
- Toast dried herbs briefly before adding to marinade to intensify their aromatic qualities and deepen the overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg