Description
These Crockpot Greek Chicken Gyros are an easy, flavorful slow-cooker meal featuring tender shredded chicken infused with lemon, garlic, and traditional Mediterranean herbs. Served in warm pita bread with creamy tzatziki, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, these gyros bring homemade Greek flavors together for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ cup chicken broth
For Serving:
- 6 warm pita breads
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker’s base to create an even layer.
- Make the Seasoning Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, salt, black pepper, and ground cumin until well combined.
- Add Seasoning and Broth: Pour the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Then add the chicken broth to the slow cooker to keep the chicken moist during cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2½ to 3½ hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and toss it with the flavorful cooking juices to keep it moist.
- Warm the Pita: Just before serving, warm the pita breads to make them soft and pliable for stuffing.
- Assemble the Gyros: Fill each pita with a generous amount of shredded Greek chicken. Top with tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onions, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese if desired.
- Serve: Serve the assembled gyros immediately with lemon wedges on the side for an added fresh citrus kick.
Notes
- Using chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy and tender throughout slow cooking.
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning mix for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Add extra toppings like lettuce, olives, or pickled red onions for more texture and flavor variation.
- Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, reheating gently with some cooking juices to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Slow Cooker, Greek Recipes, Sandwiches
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
