Simple and healthy, Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Gyros are fall apart tender chicken thighs seasoned with onions, spices, and broth for a quick crockpot protein that is low carb, low fat, and highly delicious!
Man, oh man, is this a good one. Not only are these crockpot chicken gyros easy to make (it's pretty much dump and go), but they are absolutely mouthwatering.
This meal is one that is in our main recipe rotation, like pepperoncini pork roast.
The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you will chicken thighs that are so juicy and tender that they literally fall apart. This makes them the perfect protein for gyros, salads, over rice, quinoa, etc.
If you have been around Season and Thyme for any length in time, you will notice just how much we love greek food it our house! We love to go all out for "greek night" with homemade naan, israeli salad, homemade tzatziki sauce, hummus, fresh cut veggies, olives, pickles- the works!
This crock pot chicken gyros recipe is a super simple greek meat that doesn't take much preparation at all!
Ingredients for slow cooker chicken gyros
- boneless skinless chicken thighs. Boneless skinless chicken breasts can also be used, but I love chicken thighs because they are more flavorful, stay juicy, and are often cheaper.
- dried dill
- dried oregano
- dried basil
- garlic and onions. Minced garlic and yellow onion or red onion sliced very thinly will cook down and flavor the meat.
- olive oil. To add moisture and flavor.
- lemon. Lemon juice helps tenderize the meat and add brightness.
How to make chicken gyros in the slow cooker
Place chicken thighs into the slow cooker.
Top with sliced onions.
In a small bowl, combine oil, lemon juice, dried herbs, salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
Pour mixture over top of chicken and onions.
Cook chicken thighs for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low, the chicken will be fall apart tender.
Recipe Tip
The dried seasonings can be swapped out to fit your tastes and preferences. Seasoning blends (like greek seasoning) work great as well and will most likely have basil, oregano, and dill present.
Toppings for chicken gyros
- kalamata olives
- lemon wedges
- feta cheese
- red onion
- chopped fresh herbs
- tomatoes
- red wine vinegar
- tzatziki sauce (or plain greek yogurt)
- hummus
How to serve slow cooker greek chicken gyros
Aside from delicious toppings, here are some ways to serve this chicken as a meal.
- In a salad, like this gyros salad
- on warm pita bread
- with butter rice
- on a greek flatbread
- with Greek Cucumber Salad
- on a Greek Wedge Salad
more slow cooker chicken thigh recipes
- slow cooker bbq chicken thighs
- slow cooker gumbo with chicken and sausage
- slow cooker chicken chasseur
- creamy tuscan chicken thighs
- crockpot green chile chicken
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Gyros
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 1 ½ tsp. dried dill
- 1 ½ tsp. dried oregano
- 1 ½ tsp. dried basil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs into the slow cooker.
- Top with sliced onions.
- In a small bowl, combine oil, lemon juice, dried herbs, salt, pepper and minced garlic.
- Pour mixture over top of chicken..
- Cook chicken thighs for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low, the chicken will be fall apart tender.
Chris Lundy
This was a huge hit for a game night dinner. My sister in law picked up the chicken and she did not get boneless but the meat literally fell off the bone (I took all of the bones out before serving) it was so delicious with the butter rice and cucumber tomato salad and of course all of the fixins!!!
Courtney
How do you make butter rice?
Sarah Baumeister
Hi Courtney! It is really simple. Here is the recipe. https://seasonandthyme.com/buttery-lemon-herb-rice/
Beth
Have you ever made this in an instant pot? Wondering if it would be as good.
Sarah Baumeister
Yes I have! I prefer it in the slow cooker, but the instant pot will work too.
Donna Calhoun
How long in the insta pot to cook?
Sarah Baumeister
8 minutes and allow to natural release. Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth if cooking in the Instant Pot, to ensure it comes up to pressure. -Sarah
Phazebiz
This was so easy. I added some artichoke hearts during the last 10 minutes, just long enough to heat them through and I did not have the ingredients for Tzatziki Sauce so I sprinkled it with crumbled Feta and I thought it was delicious! I have to chuckle at the 5 minute Prep time, however. It takes me 15 minutes just to get everything I need out of the cabinet and fridge to begin the prep and 10 minutes alone to chop the onion. I will deal make this again and next time I will plan ahead so I can add the Tzatziki sauce. Thanks.
Sarah Baumeister
Adding artichoke hearts at the end is a fabulous idea!
Monica
I agree! I always find that recipes show very little prep time, always takes me way longer.
Danielle R
I am just curious if you have to add any additional liquid? Sounds delicious but seems like very little liquid for a slow cooker?
Sarah Baumeister
I do not add additional liquid. Some readers choose to add a cup of chicken broth, but it isn't necessary!
Grace
This is the BEST slow cooker chicken recipe I’ve ever made. So flavorful & juicy—perfect! I paired it with the tzatziki recipe listed. 5 hours on low was great. I was surprised that you didn’t need to add broth/liquid, but I trusted the process. It essentially creates a broth as it cooks. We heated up store-bought naan to go with it and crumbled feta on top! Delicious, my husband loved it too.
Kathleen
Chicken was so flavorful and a big hit. I cut up green pepper, cucumber, lettuce, onion, tomato, and served with pita, hummus and tzatziki.
Ally
We loved it. Q: what would you do with all the liquid/broth that remains afterwards. I used with bone.
Tiffany
Hi, wondering if I can make this in a Dutch oven vs slow cooker? Appreciate any advice & thank you!
Sarah Baumeister
Yes, you can. If you want to do the stove, brown the chicken in 1 tbsp. of oil and then cook through. Once cooked, remove from the pot and shred. Add remaining oil and sliced onion, cook down for about 5 minutes. Return chicken to the pot and add remaining ingredients. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes on low and enjoy!
Karen
Can you use boneless skinless chicken breasts?
Sarah Baumeister
Yes, you can!
Keara
Would the time be different if using chicken breasts?
Sarah Baumeister
If they are very large, add 30 minutes but otherwise, no.
Ashley Scott
Can you make it with chicken breasts?
Sarah Baumeister
Yes, totally!
Ally
How long do I put it if meat is frozen? Also, if it’s half frozen? An extra hour? Thanks!
Sarah Baumeister
On low 6-8 hours, and high 4-6 hours. On the lower end of that if only half frozen!
Kristen
This recipe is a hit with the whole family. My son requested this as a pregame meal for his basketball team, along with your butter rice. Thanks for this easy, delicious crowd-pleaser!
Sarah Baumeister
Love it! I am so glad you all enjoy it as much as we do. -Sarah
Sarah Heller
Could the entire recipe assembled be frozen and cooked later?
Sarah Baumeister
Yes, totally! -Sarah
Deana
Simple and easy and delicious and healthy! I added artichoke hearts and a handful of Kalamata olives for the last hour or so. I’m doing a Whole 30 so I just ate it solo (AMAZING) but I made pita wraps with tzatziki sauce for the rest of the family and they loved it. It’s definitely going in rotation. Thank you!
Sarah Baumeister
I love those additions! I may just have to try the artichokes myself. Thank you for leaving a comment, and I am so glad you all enjoyed. -Sarah