Description
This Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a flavorful blend of curry, basil, thyme, and savory Mediterranean ingredients like artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, and tomatoes. Slow-cooked to perfection, this dish is easy to prepare and packed with rich, aromatic flavors, ideal for a comforting weeknight meal served over couscous, brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 heaping tablespoon curry powder
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Liquids
- 1 (28 oz) can whole tomatoes, mostly drained and chopped
- 2 (14 oz) cans quartered artichoke hearts, drained
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
Garnish
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker, making sure they are laid out evenly.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the curry powder, dried basil, dried thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle half of this seasoning mix evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Add Ingredients: Pour the chopped tomatoes, drained artichoke hearts, low-sodium chicken broth, chopped onion, chopped kalamata olives, and white wine vinegar directly over the chicken and seasoning in the pot.
- Sprinkle Seasoning: Sprinkle the remaining half of the seasoning mixture evenly over all the ingredients in the slow cooker to ensure full flavor throughout the dish.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or if pressed for time, cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the Chicken: After cooking, remove the chicken breasts carefully, shred or chop them into bite-sized pieces, then stir the chicken back into the slow cooker to soak up all the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for a bright, fresh finish.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this flavorful Mediterranean chicken over couscous, brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow the cooked chicken to rest in the sauce for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- You can substitute fresh herbs for dried ones; just use three times the amount.
- If you prefer less acidity, reduce the white wine vinegar to 2 tablespoons.
- This dish can be made a day ahead; flavors intensify the next day.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
