Sometimes I’m in the mood for something different for dinner. I have favourites I like to make regularly, of course. But sometimes it’s nice to try something brand new, and find a new favourite! That was definitely the case with these slow cooker Greek shredded chicken gyros with homemade tzatziki sauce. This slow cooker chicken recipe makes a great lunch or dinner that is a crowd pleaser. If you are looking for an easy crock pot chicken recipe, this is one to try out. I am definitely making them again, and soon!
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Transform your taste buds with these mouth-watering slow cooker Greek chicken gyros, paired with a homemade tzatziki sauce that will have you licking your plate clean!
Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros Ingredients
This slow cooker chicken recipe is pretty healthy, if you look at the ingredients. You need lean boneless skinless chicken breasts and sliced red onion, along with garlic, lemon, and a little oil and vinegar to make it. It is just simple ingredients in these easy Greek chicken gyros. If you have any leftover chicken or rotisserie, this would be a great dish to use it.
As for the homemade tzatziki sauce, plain Greek yogurt, cucumber, fresh dill and a few seasonings come together to make this creamy dressing. This is a totally guilt-free and easy crock pot chicken recipe, which tastes phenomenal!
Typical Flavours of Greece
Greek food is always good – at least all the Greek food I’ve been lucky enough to try. This cuisine can sometimes be misunderstood, like others. Greek restaurants outside of Greece often serve generic dishes. These can include ‘Greek salad’ or anything with Greek seasonings, feta and olives added to it. A lot of Greek restaurants include Arabic dishes too.
Also, a lot of the Greek dishes outside of Greece (like gyros, souvlaki and saganaki) are only served as fast food in Greece. Sometimes fast food hits the spot, and fusion food can be wonderful. But it is also nice to try authentic recipes too. And if you are new to Greek, you’re going to love this easy crock pot chicken!
These slow cooker Greek shredded chicken gyros are quite typical of Greece. OK so pork is the traditional meat used for gyros in Greece, but chicken is also good! The flavours in here are quite simple. Lemon, garlic, oil and vinegar are all the seasonings you really need. If you have have a chance to take a trip to Greece, you will love all the fresh food choices. My favourite thing about Greece was the food!
This slow cooker chicken recipe depends on the long, slow cooking time for incredible results. The chicken will be moist and easy to shred, as well as beautifully flavoured. Youwill see how easy it is to make your own gyro dinner.
Crock Pot Chicken Gyros – Some Tips
This is actually a very easy recipe, and there isn’t much that can go wrong. For the best result, always use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled. Also minced fresh garlic is better than the ready-pureed garlic paste in oil.
Freshness is the key to this wonderful cuisine. And that includes the homemade tzatziki sauce as well as the slow cooker chicken recipe itself.
The chicken takes three and a half to four hours if you use the high setting on your slow cooker. You will see these slow cooker Greek shredded chicken gyros really benefit from crock pot cooking.
Do you prefer to set this going and come back to it six to eight hours later? If that’s the case, or you want to start this off earlier in the day, use the low setting. You can see when the chicken is fully cooked because it will be white through with no pink. It will also be easy to shred.
How to Make Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
As for the homemade tzatziki sauce, that can be made while the chicken cooks. All you need to do is combine the ingredients. Greek yogurt, cucumber and lemon pair up with garlic, oregano and dill.
This authentic homemade tzatziki sauce is creamy and delicious. It is best if you make it ahead and let it sit. That way the Greek flavours can develop and intensify. If you make it just before serving, it will still be good. But making it ahead means it will be better!
Greek Chicken Gyros – Serving Suggestions
You can make crockpot chicken gyros as a snack. They are also great for lunch or dinner, or as a pot luck dish – just bring warm pita bread too. As for side dishes, this is pretty much a meal in one. You have pita bread, the chicken mixture and also some veggies as well as the sauce. If you do want sides though, consider a fresh Greek salad.
Chicken Gyros – Side Dish Ideas
Known as horiatiki salad in Greece, authentic Greek salad is a healthy, tasty side dish. So what are the ingredients for Greek salad? Green bell pepper, tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamata olives, bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, oregano, olive oil and red wine vinegar! Capers are optional but do add a nice salty touch.
There are also potato-based Greek dishes which would work alongside these easy crock pot chicken gyros. Roast potatoes flavoured with lemon, garlic and oregano would be amazing here. Greek potatoes go well with any kind of meat, poultry or fish actually. Pair any salad or potato side dish you prefer with this slow cooker Greek shredded chicken gyros dish. Any fresh veggies would also be a great side for gyros.
You might also like a glass of Greek retsina wine or a shot of ouzo!
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Gyro Recipe
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Gyros with Tasty Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless
- 1/2 lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 3 Cloves garlic
- 1/2 red onion
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/3 Cup water
- 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
Homemade Tzatziki
- 1 1/2 Cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber diced thinly into bits
- 1/2 lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 Cloves garlic
- 1 Tsp. oregano
- 1 Tsp. dill fresh
Serving
- 8 pitas
- 8 Leaves Romaine lettuce
- 1/2 Cup Grape tomatoes sliced in half
Instructions
- Grease the bottom of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken breast inside
- On top of the chicken breast, add lemon juice, garlic, red onion, salt, pepper, olive oil, water and red wine vinegar. Cook on high for 3-½-4 hours.
- While your chicken is cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a small mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients for the dip. Stir until well blended. Set aside and place in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to blend.
- When the cooking time is complete for the chicken, shred with a fork. Stir chicken inside the crockpot and allow it to set in the juices for 15-20 additional minutes before removing.
- When time is complete, begin assembling your gyros. Spread a thin layer of the tzatziki sauce across the entire back of the pita break. Top with lettuce, shredded chicken and tomatoes. Fold over and serve immediately.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
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 weekend lunch.
Let me know if you try out this slow cooker Greek shredded chicken gyros with homemade tzatziki sauce. This slow cooker chicken recipe makes a great lunch or dinner that is a crown pleaser. If you are looking for an easy crock pot chicken recipe, this slow cooker Greek chicken one to try out soon!
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for food, dogs, fitness, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.
I am craving these now that I see them.
This chicken gyro looks amazing! I can’t wait to try your recipe.
This is the perfect lunch idea and the sauce sounds delicious
I could put tzatziki on anything! It’s one of my favorite foods.
WOW! This looks hella good. I need to purchase a slow cooker, I was thinking maybe the InstaPot would that work for this?
I love Greek food and this sounds like my ideal dish. You are so right about using simple and fresh flavours.
There’s a lot more to Greek food than what we might think. Greek street food, traditional dishes, fusion food, and more. This chicken dish looks like a great addition to Greek cuisine!