Description
A flavorful Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with garlic, cherry tomatoes, black olives, fresh basil, lemon juice, and oregano. This easy, hands-off dish is perfect for a healthy and delicious dinner served over rice or pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Finely chop the garlic cloves and halve the cherry tomatoes to prepare fresh, vibrant flavors for the dish.
- Layer in the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, halved cherry tomatoes, pitted black olives, and fresh basil leaves evenly over the chicken.
- Add Seasoning: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the dried oregano, salt, and pepper evenly to season the chicken and vegetables.
- Cover and Cook: Secure the slow cooker lid and cook the mixture on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or if short on time, cook on high heat for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Serve It Up: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks to mix the flavors. Serve the Mediterranean chicken over rice or pasta for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a zestier flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest along with the lemon juice.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for juicier meat.
- Serve with crusty bread or a simple salad for a fuller Mediterranean experience.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months.
