Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (Cut into ½-inch thick slices before cooking for faster cooking and better flavor absorption.)
• 1 cup Yellow Onion (Diced (about 1 medium onion) to add sweetness and depth of flavor.)
• 2 tsp Minced Garlic (Freshly minced to provide a pungent and essential Greek flavor.)
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano (A staple herb in Greek cuisine that enhances the overall flavor profile.)
• 0.5 tsp Salt (Or to taste, to enhance the flavors of all ingredients.)
• 0.5 tsp Ground Black Pepper (Or to taste, to add a subtle hint of spice.)
• 3 tbsp Olive Oil (Adds richness and helps tenderize the chicken.)
• 1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar (Provides acidity and tenderizes the chicken.)
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed to brighten the flavor and tenderize the chicken.)
• 0.33 cup Water (Helps keep the chicken moist during slow cooking.)
• 2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt (Full-fat recommended for extra creaminess; the base for the Tzatziki sauce.)
• 1 cup Cucumber (Finely grated, peeled, seeded, and excess water squeezed out to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.)
• 2 tsp Minced Garlic (Freshly minced to add a pungent kick to the Tzatziki.)
• 1 tbsp White Wine Vinegar (Adds a tangy flavor to the Tzatziki sauce.)
• 1 tsp Dried Dill (A key component for an authentic Tzatziki flavor. Use dried dill weed.)
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano (Enhances the Greek flavor of the Tzatziki.)
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed to balance the richness of the yogurt.)
• 1 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (Adds richness and helps bind the Tzatziki sauce together.)
• to taste Salt (Season the Tzatziki to your preference.)
• to taste Ground Black Pepper (Adds a hint of spice to the Tzatziki.)
• Warm Flatbread (Pita bread or naan; for wrapping the gyros filling.)
• Diced Red Onion (For serving; adds a sharp bite to the gyros.)
• Shredded Romaine Lettuce (For serving; adds freshness and crunch.)
• Diced Cucumber (For serving; enhances the cool and refreshing element.)
• Diced Tomatoes (For serving; adds juiciness and sweetness.)

Instructions

1. Spray a 4-quart or larger slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking.
2. Slice the chicken breasts into ½-inch thick slices. This ensures even cooking and helps the chicken absorb the flavorful marinade more effectively.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the diced yellow onion, minced fresh garlic, dried oregano, salt, ground black pepper, olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, and water. This mixture creates the base for the Greek-inspired flavor.
4. Pour the onion mixture over the sliced chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated. Toss gently to combine.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH heat for 4-6 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shreddable with a fork. Cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker.
6. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the Tzatziki Sauce to allow time for the flavors to meld.
7. In a medium bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, finely grated cucumber (squeeze out excess water to prevent a watery sauce), minced fresh garlic, white wine vinegar, dried dill weed, dried oregano, and fresh lemon juice.
8. Stir all ingredients together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with salt and ground black pepper.
9. Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the top of the Tzatziki sauce. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it sits, the better the flavor.
10. Once the chicken is fully cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. This allows the chicken to soak up even more of the flavorful cooking liquid.
11. To assemble the gyros, warm the flatbreads according to package instructions or in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds per side until pliable.
12. Fill each warm flatbread with the shredded slow cooker Greek chicken, a generous dollop of chilled Tzatziki sauce, diced red onion, shredded romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, and diced tomatoes.
13. Serve immediately to enjoy the delicious combination of warm, flavorful chicken and cool, refreshing Tzatziki sauce!