Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy authentic Greek flavors by simmering tender chicken in a flavorful marinade. Perfect for a hands-off meal, this recipe features juicy, shredded chicken served on warm pita bread with traditional toppings like tzatziki, tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 6 pita or flatbreads
- Optional toppings: tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the marinade evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Scatter the sliced red onion on top of the chicken to add flavor during cooking.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender when done.
- Shred or Slice the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks or slice it into pieces as preferred. Return the shredded or sliced chicken to the slow cooker and toss with the cooking juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Before serving, warm the pita or flatbreads in a skillet, oven, or microwave until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Gyros: Layer the shredded chicken on the warmed pitas and top with your choice of tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, and crumbled feta cheese for a delicious Greek-style wrap.
Notes
- For crispier chicken, broil the shredded meat on a baking sheet for 3–4 minutes after slow cooking.
- This recipe works wonderfully with chicken thighs for extra tenderness and flavor.
- You can prepare the marinade a day ahead to deepen the flavor.
- Serve with extra lemon wedges for added zest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
