Description
This Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and easy way to enjoy tender chicken thighs infused with vibrant Mediterranean ingredients like kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and capers. Perfect for a hands-off cooking experience, this dish brings together bold flavors cooked low and slow, topped optionally with feta cheese for a creamy finish.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 6-9 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- Juice from 1/2 lemon
Vegetables and Add-ins
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 8 oz roasted red peppers
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
Optional Topping
- Feta cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season them evenly with salt and ground black pepper on both sides to enhance flavor.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a nice golden crust. This step adds depth to the flavor.
- Prepare Slow Cooker Base: In the slow cooker, add the sliced onions, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, capers, and chicken broth. These ingredients will create a rich and aromatic base for the chicken to cook in.
- Add Chicken to Slow Cooker: Arrange the browned chicken thighs on top of the vegetable mixture in the slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly spaced for even cooking.
- Add Lemon Garlic Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour this mixture over the chicken and vegetables to infuse bright, herby flavors throughout.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for at least 4 hours. This slow cooking process tenderizes the chicken while blending all the Mediterranean flavors beautifully.
- Serve: Once cooked, optionally sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top of the chicken for a creamy and tangy finish. Serve hot, pairing it with rice, couscous, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- For best results, do not skip the browning step as it adds a deeper flavor to the chicken.
- Adjust the cooking time if using a high setting on your slow cooker; 2-3 hours on high should suffice.
- Feta cheese is optional but highly recommended for an authentic Mediterranean touch.
- Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the feta topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean