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If you’re craving a taste of the Mediterranean but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, I’ve got just the recipe for you. These slow cooker chicken gyros are a game-changer when it comes to easy, flavorful meals. Tender, juicy chicken is infused with the aromatic flavors of onion, garlic, paprika, and oregano, all cooked to perfection in your trusty slow cooker. The prep work is minimal, allowing you to sit back, relax, and let the crock pot work its magic. When it’s time to serve, pile the seasoned chicken onto soft pita bread, add a dollop of cool, refreshing tzatziki sauce, and load up on your favorite veggies. Your taste buds will be thanking you!
This slow cooker chicken gyros recipe makes a fantastic dinner paired with your favorite Mediterranean sides or a snack or lunch when you crave Greek flavors.
Also try lemon rosemary chicken thighs, Halifax donair or grilled chicken and bell pepper kabobs. Greek lemon chicken soup is also really good.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: For this chicken gyros recipe, you simply slow cook the chicken and seasonings, shred the chicken mixture and load it into warm pita bread, adding your preferred fresh veggies and toppings and a drizzle of homemade tzatziki sauce.
Such a great flavor: Onion, garlic, oregano, paprika, and tangy, creamy tzatziki sauce make this slow cooker chicken recipe such a delicious choice.
A crowd-pleasing meal: It’s easy to double up and make plenty of this crockpot chicken gyros recipe if you’re expecting company. It is a satisfying Greek dish with tender chicken and Greek seasoning that will please everyone at the dinner table.
Crockpot Chicken Gyros Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken breasts: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Onion and garlic: To add aromatic savory flavors.
Chicken broth: Fortifies the chicken flavor and keeps the chicken mixture moist.
Olive oil: For delicate Mediterranean flavor and succulence.
Oregano and paprika: Wonderful seasonings for the chicken gyros.
Tzatziki sauce: A Greek yogurt sauce that pairs perfectly with homemade gyros.
Tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions: To add color and crunch.
How to Make Crockpot Greek Chicken Gyros
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the seasoning mixture: Mix the garlic with the broth, oil, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Fill the slow cooker: Put the sliced onions in the crockpot and add the chicken on top. Pour the garlic mixture over the top.
Cook the chicken gyros: Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high, or until it’s easy to shred. Shred the chicken with a pair of forks and stir with the onion mixture in the crockpot.
Fill the pita bread: Divide the chicken mixture between warmed pita bread and add tomatoes, cucumber, sliced red onion, and tzatziki sauce. Serve immediately.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free chicken broth and gluten-free pita bread (I love these!) Another idea is using lettuce wraps instead of pita bread.
Chicken thighs: Although chicken breast stays perfectly juicy in this crockpot gyros recipe, you can use thighs if that’s your preference.
Store-bought tzatziki sauce: You can use it at a pinch but homemade tzatziki sauce is so much fresher in flavor!
Zest it up: Sometimes I like to add a splash of lemon juice to the chicken mixture (or some lemon pepper). A splash of red wine vinegar would work too.
Another meat: Swap the shredded chicken for shredded pork or lamb.
Vegetarian version: Use tofu, jackfruit or your preferred vegetarian protein. And swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Start the meal with these succulent scallop skewers.
Side dishes: Greek chicken gyros are tasty with a Greek salad, quinoa salad or Italian rice salad. And don’t forget a glass of Greek retsina wine or a shot of ouzo!
Desserts: Impress everyone with homemade vanilla cookies or these zesty orange bars.
How to Store Chicken Gyros
Store: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the chicken mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw this Greek food out in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm the chicken gyros mixture back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Perfectly cooked chicken: When the chicken can be shredded with 2 forks and minimal effort, it’s done. If there’s still some resistance, cook it a little more and try again.
Leave the slow cooker covered: Every time you lift the lid, you’re letting out all the steam and heat and will have to extend the cooking time. It’s best to leave it alone until it’s time to check if it’s done!
Try different toppings: Add feta cheese, plain Greek yogurt, kalamata olives or fresh dill on top, or serve everything separate and let everyone top their own.
Warm the pita bread: Warm it up before assembling the gyros so the filling stays hot for longer.
Easy Chicken Gyros FAQs
Sure. You can make it ahead and warm it back up before serving. This would be handy if you’re expecting a crowd. You can also chop the salad veggies ahead and make the tzatziki sauce. Simply rewarm and assemble the gyros when you’re ready. This is a great meal prep dish.
You can but it’s important to thaw it completely before adding to the slow cooker to ensure it cooks safely and thoroughly.
Finding authentic Greek dishes at restaurants can sometimes be hit and miss, as anything with feta and olives can be labeled as u0022Greeku0022 and many Greek restaurants also serve Arabic dishes. Also, many Greek favorites like souvlaki, saganaki and gyro meat are only served as fast food in Greece. These slow cooker chicken gyros are typical in Greece (although pork is the usual protein) and something you could also enjoy if you ever take a vacation in Greece.
Yes, you can, as long as you adjust the timings. Remember the chicken must have reached 165°F in the center before you shred it.
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Gyros Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros
Ingredients
- 1 Pound chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- ½ yellow onion, large, thinly sliced
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- ½ Cup chicken broth
- ½ Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ Teaspoon ground paprika
- salt and black pepper, to taste
To Serve:
- tzatziki sauce
- tomatoes, diced
- cucumbers, sliced
- red onions, sliced
- pita bread, warmed
Instructions
- Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, chicken broth, olive oil, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Put the chicken breast on top of the onions.
- Pour the seasoning mixture over the chicken, ensuring even coating.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Shred the chicken using 2 forks and mix it well with the onions and juices in the slow cooker.
- Fill each warmed pita bread with the shredded chicken mixture.
- Top with tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and red onions, and serve immediately.
Notes
Leave the slow cooker covered: Every time you lift the lid, you’re letting out all the steam and heat and will have to extend the cooking time. It’s best to leave it alone until it’s time to check if it’s done!
Try different toppings: Add feta cheese, plain Greek yogurt, kalamata olives or fresh dill on top, or serve everything separate and let everyone top their own.
Warm the pita bread: Warm it up before assembling the gyros so the filling stays hot for longer.
Nutrition
Tantalize your taste buds with these tasty slow cooker Greek chicken gyros, paired with a homemade tzatziki sauce that will have you licking your plate clean. The chicken mixture is flavored with onion, garlic, paprika, and oregano, and the crunchy veggies pair beautifully with this classic Greek dish. As they say in Greece: Ya mas! This literally means ‘to our health’ and is Greek for cheers! This is a great slow cooker recipe for busy weeknights or even a special weekend lunch if you love Greek food.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These chicken gyros were unbelievably flavorful. I’ll be making them often!