ADVERTISEMENT
### Ingredients for Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this dish. The beauty of **Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken** is that the ingredients are simple, yet they come together to create a dish with complex and satisfying flavors.
#### 1. **Chicken Breasts** (Boneless, Skinless)
The base of this dish is boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They cook quickly in the slow cooker and absorb the delicious flavors from the Mediterranean ingredients. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer a slightly richer taste, but chicken breasts are leaner and work wonderfully in this recipe.
#### 2. **Olives** (Green or Kalamata)
Olives add a salty, briny flavor that’s characteristic of Mediterranean cuisine. You can use either green olives or Kalamata olives, depending on your preference. Kalamata olives have a more intense flavor, while green olives tend to be milder. Either way, olives are a key component that enhances the overall dish.
#### 3. **Canned Diced Tomatoes**
Canned diced tomatoes provide a juicy, flavorful base for the sauce that will cook with the chicken. They create a rich, tomatoey broth that infuses the chicken with flavor as it cooks slowly.
#### 4. **Red Onion**
Red onions are sweeter than yellow onions and add a mild, delicate flavor to the dish. Sautéing them before adding them to the slow cooker helps bring out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
#### 5. **Garlic**
Garlic is essential for this recipe, as it imparts a savory aroma and flavor to the dish. Fresh garlic cloves are preferable, as they have a more potent and aromatic flavor than pre-minced garlic.
#### 6. **Olive Oil**
A little olive oil is used to sauté the onions and garlic at the beginning, as well as to enrich the flavor of the dish.
#### 7. **Herbs and Spices**
To season the chicken and enhance its Mediterranean flavor, you’ll need a combination of dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, and basil. These herbs bring a robust, fragrant element to the dish. You may also want to use some salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for an added kick.
#### 8. **Lemon**
Lemon juice and zest brighten up the dish with a fresh, tangy element. The acidity balances the richness of the olive oil and chicken, adding a refreshing note to the casserole-like dish.
#### 9. **Feta Cheese** (Optional)
Feta cheese is a wonderful optional addition that gives the dish a creamy, salty bite. It pairs perfectly with the olives and tomatoes, making the dish even more authentic and indulgent.
### Step-by-Step Instructions for Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken
Now that you know what ingredients you need, let’s dive into how to prepare **Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken**. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a mouthwatering meal waiting for you at the end of the day.
#### Step 1: Sauté Onions and Garlic
In a medium skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced red onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. This step helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the onions and intensify the flavor of the garlic.
#### Step 2: Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Once the onions and garlic are ready, add them to the slow cooker. Layer the chicken breasts on top of the onions and garlic. Then, pour the diced tomatoes (with their juice) over the chicken, and scatter the olives on top. Add the dried herbs (oregano, thyme, and basil), salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. Finish by squeezing the juice of half a lemon over the ingredients and adding the lemon zest for a burst of freshness.
#### Step 3: Cook in the Slow Cooker
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Slow-cooked chicken should easily shred with a fork when it’s ready.
#### Step 4: Shred the Chicken (Optional)
Once the chicken is cooked through, you can either serve the chicken breasts whole or shred the meat with two forks for a more rustic, casserole-like presentation. Shredding the chicken allows it to absorb the tomato and olive flavors even more.
#### Step 5: Add Feta Cheese (Optional)
If you’re using feta cheese, sprinkle it over the chicken in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. This gives the cheese time to soften and melt into the sauce, adding a rich, creamy element to the dish.
#### Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once your **Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken** is ready, serve it over rice, couscous, quinoa, or pasta for a complete meal. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil and a wedge of lemon for added brightness. Enjoy!
### Variations of Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken
This recipe is highly customizable, and you can make it your own by adding or changing ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary preferences.
1. **Add Vegetables**: To make the dish even more nutritious, consider adding vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the slow cooker. These vegetables will cook down and absorb the flavors of the Mediterranean seasonings.
2. **Use Chicken Thighs**: If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs are an excellent substitute for chicken breasts. They tend to stay juicier and more flavorful when cooked in the slow cooker.
3. **Serve with a Side Salad**: Pair the dish with a fresh Mediterranean salad made of cucumber, tomato, red onion, Kalamata olives, and a simple olive oil dressing. This adds a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory chicken.
4. **Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes**: For an extra burst of flavor, you can replace some of the diced tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes. Their intense, tangy flavor will add depth to the dish.
### Conclusion
**Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken** is a delicious and easy dish that brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to your table with minimal effort. It’s a great way to enjoy the health benefits of lean chicken, olive oil, and fresh vegetables while savoring the fragrant herbs and spices that are the hallmark of Mediterranean cuisine. Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend meal prep, this slow cooker recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling nourished. So why not give it a try and enjoy the delightful combination of juicy chicken, tangy olives, and sweet tomatoes today?
