Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken is one savory weeknight dinner idea to serve up your family. Tender and juicy chicken, flavored with garlic, lemon, fresh spinach, creamy feta cheese, and more. This slow cooker Mediterranean chicken is one outstanding simple dinner that gives you that vibrant Mediterranean flavor you know and love.
Yesterday was a dump stuff in the crock pot and forget about it kind of day. My one daughter had piano lessons (which we ended up missing), the toddler was under the weather and cranky, the rest of the house was a disaster and I was done.
At about 2:45 I started grabbing stuff from the pantry to chuck into the crock pot with the chicken and ya know what? It turned out amazing. I’m glad I had to foresight to write down measurements while I was doing the chucking! This crock pot Mediterranean Chicken is a saver.
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This is filling while tasting light and refreshing. I put fresh spinach into the bowls first and then put the hot chicken and some of the cooking liquid on top of wilted the spinach. A little feta cheese on top and it was perfect. My maternal grandfather was Greek and feta cheese always reminds me of him. I have loved it since I was a child. Lemon, olive oil, and oregano are classic flavors of Greece as well. You won’t be disappointed with this prepped-in 5-minute slow cooker chicken dinner.
My recipe is grain free, gluten free, and can be dairy free if you skip the feta cheese. Kids and adults will love this flavorful Mediterranean chicken. Best of all, it offers a stunning presentation and is great for serving guests. The best part of all is it is a lighter version, so you don't walk away feeling heavy.
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken thighs - Boneless skinless chicken thighs are a versatile and lean protein option that is perfect for slow cooker recipes. The slow cooker is an amazing kitchen appliance that allows you to effortlessly cook delicious meals over a longer period of time, resulting in tender and flavorful dishes.
Roasted red peppers - One of the key ingredients in this slow cooker Greek chicken recipe is roasted red peppers. These vibrant and flavorful peppers add a delicious depth to the dish. As they cook alongside the chicken in the slow cooker, their juices infuse into the meat, resulting in tender and succulent pieces of chicken. The roasted red peppers also create a beautiful visual contrast against the golden-brown chicken, making this dish not only tasty but visually appealing as well.
Green olives with pimentos - These tangy and briny olives not only add a burst of flavor but also provide a vibrant green color to the dish.
Marinated or canned artichoke hearts - Adding artichoke hearts is a delicious way to elevate the dish. The tender and tangy artichoke hearts not only provide a burst of flavor but also add a unique texture to the recipe. As they cook slowly in the flavorful juices, they become even more succulent and infuse the chicken with their distinct taste.
Lemon juice - Adding lemon juice can enhance the flavors and add a refreshing tanginess to the dish. The acidity of the lemon juice helps to tenderize the chicken, resulting in moist and juicy meat. Additionally, lemon juice acts as a natural tenderizer, breaking down the proteins in the chicken and making it more succulent.
Olive oil - Olive oil is a key ingredient. It adds a rich and flavorful base to the dish, enhancing the overall taste. The olive oil helps to keep the chicken moist and tender as it cooks slowly over time. Its natural fats also contribute to creating a deliciously creamy texture. Additionally, the olive oil brings its own health benefits, being high in monounsaturated fats that are good for heart health.
Dried minced garlic - I like to use dried minced garlic for an extra burst of flavor. The dried garlic adds a subtle and aromatic taste to the chicken as it cooks slowly in the pot.
Dried oregano - One essential ingredient that adds a burst of flavor to the Greek chicken recipe is dried oregano. This aromatic herb brings a delightful earthy and slightly peppery taste, elevating the dish to new heights.
Salt - Using salt in a chicken recipe is essential for enhancing the flavor and ensuring that the dish is seasoned to perfection. Salt acts as a natural flavor enhancer, bringing out the natural flavors of the chicken while also balancing any other spices or ingredients used in the recipe.
Pepper - Black pepper is an essential ingredient in most chicken recipes. Its sharp and slightly spicy taste adds depth and complexity to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
How To Make Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken
Give this recipe a try the next time you want to serve up a chicken dinner. This chicken is bursting with flavor, light, and a dish the whole family will enjoy.
Step One: Start by placing your chicken thighs in your crock pot.
Then start pouring in all the other ingredients.
Give it a good stir, and seal your crock pot up.
Step Two: Cook on low for around 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3. I always check to ensure my chicken is done and then start dishing up the chicken.
Serving: For serving, I grab a plate or bowl, lay out a heaping handful of spinach leaves, and add in some chicken. Top with olives, artichokes, and some feta cheese. Diced tomatoes are another nice addition.
The broth from the chicken is really delicious so spoon some over the top of the chicken for added flavor.
Common Questions
Do I add water when cooking chicken in the crock pot?
Yes, it is recommended to add some liquid when cooking chicken in the crock pot. Adding liquid helps to prevent the chicken from drying out during the slow cooking process. It also helps to create a flavorful broth that can be used for other purposes such as making sauces or soups. Additionally, adding water ensures that the chicken will be tender and moist once it is done cooking. However, it is important to note that you should not add too much water as it may dilute the flavors of the dish. In this recipe, we add lemon juice and olive oil. That is enough liquid since the chicken releases natural juices when cooking.
Can I Make this in an Instant Pot?
Many people wonder if they can make this delicious crock pot chicken in an instant pot. While the recipe is originally designed for a slow cooker, it is definitely possible to adapt it for an instant pot. The flavors of the Mediterranean, with tender chicken, olives, tomatoes, and herbs, would still come together beautifully in the pressure cooker. Simply adjust the cooking time and liquid content accordingly to ensure that the chicken cooks thoroughly and remains moist. My suggestion would be to cook for 12 minutes at high pressure and then let the pressure release naturally. With some minor tweaks, you can enjoy this flavorful dish in no time using your instant pot.
Can You Use Boneless Breast Instead of Chicken Thighs?
Yes. You can swap out the boneless chicken thighs for boneless skinless chicken breasts. Just be aware that depending on the thickness of your chicken, your cook time could change. That is something you will need to monitor, to ensure it isn't undercooked or goes over.
How to Store Mediterranean Chicken Thighs
Allow your chicken to cool and then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Then when you are ready to eat, heat it up on the stove top or even microwave. Then serve over a bed of spinach and top with cheese. This will last up to three days in the fridge.
What Can I Serve With Mediterranean Chicken
Personally, we do a huge handful of spinach for each person. Then top it with the chicken, add in stuffed olives, artichokes, etc, for flavor. Then sprinkle on feta cheese and dive in! The spinach will wilt so once you plate so make sure to plan to serve it shortly after. We also like it with some Mediterranean Olive Tapenade on the side.
If you don't want to serve over spinach leaves, reach for cauliflower rice or even quinoa. You will, of course, add in some carbs, but it will give you a really hearty dish. Another option is pasta. I've tried lots of low carb pastas and my favorite is the kind made from palm hearts.
As for sides you really don't need one as this is a dish all in one, but feel free to pair a vegetable with it, side salad, or even a dinner roll. If you are aiming for a low carb route, try making cloud bread with say rosemary. It is a great alternative and perfect for soaking up any of the sauce leftovers.
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2.5-3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup roasted red peppers drained (cut into bite sized pieces if large)
- ½ cup green olives with pimentos
- 14 oz marinated or canned artichokes
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
To serve:
- fresh spinach I just used one big handful per person
- feta cheese a couple tablespoons per person
Instructions
- Put chicken thighs in the crock pot. Put the next 9 ingredients on top (reserve the spinach and feta to add when serving). Stir to combine. Cook on low 4-6 hours or on high 2-3 hours until the chicken is done.
- To serve put a big handful of spinach in a bowl, add 1-2 chicken thighs (I use 2 for adults and 1 for kids), add in some of the other yummy things from the pot like artichokes and olives, and top with a few scoops of cooking liquid to wilt the spinach. Sprinkle some feta on top.
Nutrition
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes
Originally Published January 15, 2016. Revised and Republished July 27, 2023.
Heather says
They only thing I did different was add some cherry tomatoes and I used the marinated artichokes. It was delicious!! Everyone loved it even the kids. I’ll definitely be making it again.
Anna Pyle says
Without the liquid from the red peppers and artichokes, is there enough liquid otherwise, for the chicken to stay moist, and not dry out?
Taryn says
Yes, the chicken releases its natural juice. Just make sure not to overcook. That is why crockpot chicken ends up dry.
Allison says
Any concern about the add ins dissolving if the dish is cooked 5-6hours? I know the chicken would be amazing, just concerned the other yummy stuff would disappear.
Taryn says
It doesn't disappear for me which you can see in the photos. If you prefer to add the peppers, artichokes, and olives halfway through the cooking time you can.
Peggy witt says
How would you do it in an oven
Taryn says
Put the ingredients that go in the crock pot into a large casserole dish instead. Bake covered at 350 for about an hour or until the chicken is at least 160-165. Chicken thighs are very forgiving and they won't dry out.
Candice says
Could we use both breasts and thighs? I'm not a fan of thighs but my husband prefers them.
Taryn says
Yes
Candace says
Could I maek this in my Instapot?
Taryn says
Yes. I normally do chicken thighs for 10 minutes on high pressure.
Monica says
Instructions stated all ingredients in and stir, but are you leaving the spinach out? THANK YOU
Taryn says
Yes, I'll edit the instructions to clarify. The spinach and feta are added when serving.
Joanne says
Can I replace green olives with black?
Taryn says
I've never put regular pitted black olives in this but kalamata olives work well.
Lynnita says
Shall I drain the artichokes before adding to the crock?
Taryn says
Yes
Lynnita says
Does the feta get cooked in the croc pot too?
Taryn says
No, it gets added when you serve it. I'll clarify the directions.
Brandi says
Chicken was so tender and flavorful! I also loved artichokes in the dish, very nice and juicy.
Missy says
This meal is so delish, one of my go tos for a quick, healthy meal.
wilhelmina says
This is so incredibly flavorful! Thanks for the great recipe!
Pam says
Could I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Looks deliciouse
Taryn says
Yup! The cooking time might be shorter though.