Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros recipe features tender, flavorful chicken breasts cooked slowly with garlic, lemon juice, oregano, and spices. Served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and parsley, it’s an easy and healthy take on classic Greek gyros. Perfect for a hands-off meal prep that yields juicy, shredded chicken ideal for pita-free wraps or salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Gyros
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 onion, diced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated cucumber (preferably drained)
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt, to taste
To Serve
- Warm pocketless pita bread or wraps
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced onions
- Sliced cucumbers
- Lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts inside the slow cooker evenly.
- Mix the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, diced onion, water, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, allspice, and lemon pepper. Whisk until thoroughly mixed to create a flavorful marinade.
- Cook the chicken: Pour the marinade mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Make the tzatziki sauce: While the chicken cooks, prepare the tzatziki sauce by mixing the fat-free plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, grated cucumber, chopped fresh parsley, and salt to taste in a separate bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Shred the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked and tender, use two forks to shred the meat directly inside the slow cooker, mixing it with the flavorful juices.
- Serve: Serve the shredded chicken alongside warm pocketless pita bread, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, sliced cucumbers, and lettuce. Top with a generous spoonful of the chilled tzatziki sauce for an authentic gyro experience without the pita.
Notes
- For best results, drain the grated cucumber well before adding it to the tzatziki to avoid excess water in the sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker tzatziki, strain the yogurt with a cheesecloth before mixing.
- Slow cooker times may vary depending on your appliance; check that the chicken is fully cooked before shredding.
- Additional gyro toppings like feta cheese or olives can be added according to your preferences.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: slow cooker chicken gyros, tzatziki sauce, Greek chicken, slow cooker recipes, healthy chicken gyros, easy Greek recipes, shredded chicken gyros, homemade tzatziki
