Easy Greek Chicken (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or Stovetop)

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Easy chicken recipes are always a favorite, and this easy Greek Chicken with oregano and garlic is at the top of the list.

199 CAL 4g CARBS 6g FAT 29g PROTEIN 1
16 Comments

It can be used for everything from Greek salads to wraps to Greek Chicken Bowls and has so much flavor in every bite. We also love these easy Greek Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki.

If you love bold Greek flavors, this garlic, lemon, and oregano chicken is a must-try. It's juicy, packed with flavor, and works in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop, whatever fits your day.

I love a meal that stretches beyond one night, and this one is perfect for that. First, we serve it with a warm pita, cucumber and tomato salad, and tzatziki. Later in the week, leftovers turn into Greek pasta, wraps, salads, or rice bowls. Easy, delicious, and meal-prep-friendly.

What I love about this recipe is that you can use any cut of chicken, such as breasts, thighs, drumsticks, whatever you have. Pressure cook it, bake it, or slow cook it. However you make it, this one's a keeper!

A flat lay of fresh ingredients for an easy Greek chicken dish, including raw chicken thighs, red onions, garlic, lemon, olive oil, seasonings, and broth, arranged on a light surface.

How to make Greek Chicken Marinade?

To make a really amazing Greek marinade, you need a few critical ingredients. After that, you can mix and match depending on your personal preferences.

  • Olive oil: Choose a quality olive oil that tastes good. It can be a Greek olive oil, but it doesn't have to be. It just needs to taste good.
  • Lemon juice: You want fresh lemon juice, and you can add lemon zest for even more flavor. The acid in the lemons helps to tenderize the chicken and adds tons of flavor.
  • Garlic: You can't make this chicken without garlic, and fresh garlic is the best option. It adds more flavor than garlic powder and will infuse the chicken as it marinates.
  • Oregano: Oregano is the main component that makes this a Greek-style chicken. Since it can be hard to find fresh oregano, I always use dried oregano for this. Make sure to choose dried oregano, not ground oregano. Also, quality matters here. Pick a dried spice that is flavorful.
  • Red wine vinegar: To add a touch of tang to this chicken and also help it stay tender, you want some red wine vinegar.
  • Salt and Pepper: Season everything with salt and pepper to finish it up.

To that, you would be smart to add some Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurt ensures super tender chicken every time since the enzymes in the yogurt help to tenderize the chicken. You could also increase the herbs with either dried or fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, or marjoram. For a spicy version, you could add some red pepper flakes to add just a touch of heat. Another option for adding a subtle smoky flavor is to add some paprika or cumin.

Can I add other types of dried herbs?

Absolutely! Dried thyme or rosemary would also be great to add to the marinade.

Why don't I have to marinate the slow cooker or Instant Pot versions?

Since the chicken cooks for at least 4 hours in the slow cooker, you don't need to marinate it as well. It will soak up all that flavor as it cooks. A similar thing happens in the Instant Pot since pressure cooking infuses the chicken more rapidly.

How can I make the chicken extra crispy?

For crispy bits, once the chicken is cooked and shredded, spread it on a baking sheet and broil for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. This adds delicious texture, especially if you're using it for rice bowls, tacos, or wraps.

How to Cook Greek Chicken - 3 Ways

Here are three easy ways to make this recipe:

  • Instant Pot: Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot and stir. Cook on high pressure for a few minutes, then let it naturally release. Shred the chicken and let it soak in the sauce before serving for extra flavor.
  • Slow Cooker: Combine everything in the slow cooker and cook on low for several hours until the chicken is tender. Shred, mix with the sauce, and let it sit for a few more minutes to absorb all the flavors.
  • Stovetop: Marinate the chicken for at least a few hours, then cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. Let it rest before slicing for the juiciest results.

A side-by-side image of the cooking process for easy Greek chicken. On the left, raw chicken thighs, red onions, garlic, and seasonings are placed in an Instant Pot with broth. On the right, the cooked and shredded chicken is shown in flavorful juices, ready to be served.

How to Serve Greek Chicken

There are endless ways to serve this chicken dish, but in my opinion, it all starts with the toppings.

  • Tzatziki: This creamy cucumber yogurt dip is the perfect complement to Greek chicken and what is traditionally served on the side. You can buy store-bought, or we have a recipe below to make your own at home,
  • Greek or Israeli Salad: Naturally, Greek salad goes really great with this chicken made with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onions, and feta. We also like it with Israeli salad, which is a great option for folks who aren't big fans of feta or olives.
  • Olives: Whether you choose classic Greek Kalamata olives or reach for olive tapenade, olives add so much flavor to this dish with their salty, briny flavor.
  • Feta: It's hard not to immediately think about feta cheese when you are making Greek food. This dish is no different and tastes amazing with some feta cheese crumbled on top.

A bowl of shredded Greek chicken, garnished with fresh herbs. The tender, juicy chicken has been slow-cooked or pressure-cooked with Mediterranean flavors. In the background, there are cherry tomatoes, fresh dill, lemon, and a salt dish, suggesting ingredients that pair well with the dish.

Will this work with chicken breasts? Drumsticks? Bone-on chicken?

This recipe will work with any kind of chicken, from boneless skinless chicken breasts to drumsticks and bone-in chicken thighs. For boneless and skinless chicken breasts, monitor the breasts closely to make sure they don't overcook. They will take about 4 hours on low in most slow cookers and about 6 minutes in the Instant Pot, letting it naturally release after cooking.

For drumsticks, I find they come out best if you marinate the chicken first and then cook it on the grill or in the oven.You can also cook them in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, but consider removing the skin so it doesn't get soggy. Use the same concept for skin-on chicken thighs or chicken breasts.

Can I turn this into Chicken Souvlaki?

If you want to make chicken souvlaki, the Greek chicken skewers, this recipe will work. Cut the chicken into smaller pieces and marinate it with the remaining ingredients for at least 3 hours. Then thread onto the skewers and grill until cooked through. You can include the red onions on the skewers or leave them out for a more traditional souvlaki.

Ways to Use Leftovers

This recipe makes the best leftovers, and there are so many different ways to use them. We recommend making a double or triple batch since it freezes well.

  • Greek salad or Greek Salad Wrap: Naturally, you want to toss this in a salad with crunchy Romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, black olives, Pickled Red Onions, and feta cheese.
  • Greek Tostadas: We love this Greek spin on tostadas. Just substitute the leftover Greek chicken for the turkey.
  • Grain Bowls: Grab some cooked quinoa or farro, add the chicken, roasted red peppers, black olives, greens, feta cheese, and some Greek dressing for a delicious Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl. Great for meal prep!
  • Lettuce Wraps: For a low carb option, wrap the chicken up in lettuce wraps with all your favorite Greek-inspired toppings.
  • Greek Pasta Salad: Grab some cooked pasta, leftover chicken, and all the traditional Greek salad components and toss with store-bought or homemade Greek Salad Dressing.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Tacos: Use this Greek chicken as the perfect filling for Mediterranean Chicken Tacos. Just pile it into a warm pita or tortillas and top with cucumber salad, feta, and tzatziki for a fresh, flavorful twist!

How to make tzatziki?

Tzatziki is the traditional Greek yogurt sauce that is served with chicken gyros. It's made with yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, and dill. Here is a simple recipe for making tzatziki at home.

  • 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
  • 1/2 English cucumber (or Persian cucumbers)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lemon, juice and zest
  • 1 tbsp. dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • Directions: Grate the cucumber and use a paper towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out all the extra moisture. Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible. Stir the cucumber into the yogurt along with the lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this recipe:

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

 

For best results, reheat on the stovetop with a little broth to prevent drying out. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. If you want to restore some crispiness, broil it for a few minutes before serving.

 

Shredded Greek chicken in a bowl, garnished with herbs, with lemon and cherry tomatoes nearby.
The Recipe
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Easy Greek Chicken (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or Stovetop)

199 CAL 4g CARBS 6g FAT 29g PROTEIN 1
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 20 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
16 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 1 red onion, sliced thin
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

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Instructions

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1

Instant Pot: Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot and stir. Cook for 7 minutes and let naturally release. Slow Cooker: Add everything to the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Stovetop, oven, or grill: Marinate the chicken in the remaining ingredients for at least three hours before cooking. For extra tender chicken, add 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt to your marinade. Shake off excess marinade before cooking. For stovetop, heat a touch of olive oil in a pan and add the chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook 4-5 minutes until browned. Flip over and cook for 3-5 minutes until cooked through. Repeat if needed. For the grill, cook for 4-5 minutes per side. For the oven, bake at 425 degrees for 18-25 minutes, depending on thickness.

2

Shred the chicken using two forks and let it soak up the sauce for 5 minutes before serving.

3

This last step is optional but highly recommended to get the delicious crispy bits. Once your chicken is cooked and shredded, use a slotted spoon to place it on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray or covered in foil. Broil until browned and crispy, about 4-5 minutes.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz
Amount Per Serving
Calories 199
Calories from Fat 1
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g
0%
Saturated Fat 1g
0%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
0%
Cholesterol 132mg
0%
Sodium 1026mg
45%
Total Carbohydrate 4g
1%
Dietary Fiber 1g
3%
Sugars 1g
Protein 29g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
16 Comments
On Easy Greek Chicken (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or Stovetop)
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Kaci Towles
March 6, 2024 - 13:58
Can I get the pasta recipe you make with this for the second meal?!
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August 28, 2024 - 09:46
Here's the recipe I use for Greek Pasta Salad: https://www.slenderkitchen.com/recipe/greek-pasta-salad.
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Katie
November 7, 2022 - 11:30
Add a Rating:
5
This was awesome - we loved the flavor.
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August 28, 2024 - 09:46
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
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Jillian Shanahan
October 27, 2022 - 19:08
Add a Rating:
5
The Insta pot way that you make the chicken here is the only way I make it anymore! I use a handmixer in the Insta pot to shred the chicken and it’s amazing. Love the broiler trick it really makes a difference
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August 28, 2024 - 09:46
The chicken comes out so tender! Glad you enjoyed it. Love the idea of using a hand mixer to save time.
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Jj
October 15, 2022 - 10:15
Add a Rating:
5
Have made several times in slow cooker with chicken breast. I would like to try in the oven. Do I marinate the chicken and then add the onions on top prior to going in the oven?
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August 28, 2024 - 09:47
Yes! I would marinate the chicken for at least 30-60 minutes and then baked with the onions on top.
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Kim Getsee
September 19, 2022 - 15:20
Delicious!!
Love the chicken and I add a Greek salad!
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August 28, 2024 - 09:47
Yum! Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
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Brooke
September 8, 2022 - 13:49
Add a Rating:
5
I make this weekly now in the instapot. So easy and delicious!
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August 28, 2024 - 09:47
Its' so great for weekly meal prep!
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Sarah Dowling
May 23, 2022 - 16:19
Add a Rating:
5
Used your recipe for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Everyone loved the chicken for our gyros and there is none left. Ive pinned to use again.
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August 28, 2024 - 09:48
Great! Love the idea of turning this into gyros.
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Emma
February 3, 2022 - 16:26
Add a Rating:
5
I don't usually leave reviews for recipes, but this one didn't have any, so I figured I would!

I made this almost exactly as directed in the slow cooker, and it came out wonderfully. I appreciate the exact measurements for seasonings because I'm a novice cook. I added a little bit of extra pepper, and I used jarred minced garlic and bottled lemon juice because I'm lazy like that (and it's what I had on hand.)

I slow cooked it for 3 hours on high, and it came out deliciously juicy and tender. Prep took no time at all. I also made tzatziki sauce to serve the chicken in gyros, which was much more of an endeavor than preparing the main part of the dish! But the sauce went perfectly with the chicken (I used a slightly different recipe than the one above because I had thick greek yogurt and needed more liquid.)

It's awesome that such a quick and easy meal came out so well. Greek flavors are my favorite, so I'll definitely be making this again. Thank you so much for sharing!
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August 28, 2024 - 09:48
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this detailed review! So glad to har you enjoyed it - that makes my day!
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