Greek Yogurt Crockpot Chicken – Easy and Flavorful

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Made with simple ingredients in a slow cooker, ready in 3 1/2 hours!

Greek Yogurt Crockpot Chicken is a simple and healthy dinner option that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With tender chicken cooked low and slow in a blend of Mediterranean spices and tossed in creamy Greek yogurt, this dish is loaded with flavor.

cooked and shredded greek yogurt chicken on a plate with green beans, sweet potatoes and a wedge of lemon

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What you’ll love about this recipe


  • Easy – This recipe is so easy to prepare and made with simple ingredients. Just season the chicken and cook it in your crockpot.
  • Flavor – Greek yogurt chicken is seasoned with Mediterranean spices like cumin, coriander and cardamom which give it a warm earthy flavor.
  • Perfect for meal prep – Make a big batch and use it throughout the week in a variety of dishes.

Ingredients needed



  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Greek yogurt, Icelandic or regular plain yogurt
  • Garlic powder
  • Cumin
  • Coriander
  • Cardamom
  • Cumin
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • Greek yogurt

How to make Greek yogurt crockpot chicken

Prepare: Mix the spices together and rub them on the chicken.

Process step 1. Chicken breasts in a slow cooker with spices on top

STEP 1: Place the seasoned chicken into a slow cooker. Add a little bit of water.

Crock pot yogurt chicken step 2. Cooked chicken breasts in a slow cooker

STEP 2: Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours.

Step 3 chicken breasts cooked in yogurt before shredding

STEP 3: Remove the lid and add the Greek yogurt. Set the slow cooker to warm and let it “cook” on the warm setting for 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 4: shredded chicken in a slow cooker ready to serve.

STEP 4: Remove the lid of the slow cooker use two forks to shred the chicken; cover and keep warm until it’s time to serve. If

Tips & Tricks

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice because they shred easily and soak up the creamy yogurt sauce. If you prefer darker meat or want extra juiciness, opt for boneless chicken thighs.
  • Greek yogurt should always be added at the end of the cooking process. Putting it in too early can cause curdling due to the high heat. Stir it in after shredding the chicken and allow it to warm through gently in the slow cooker.
  • The yogurt may appear curdled after cookng, and that’s ok, it should disappear after shredding the chicken.
  • Adjust the spice levels to suit your taste, but don’t leave out key ingredients like cumin, coriander.

What to serve with Greek yogurt chicken

There are so many options to serve with this versatile Greek yogurt chicken. We like it served over brown rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice with a side or two of vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, cauliflower or a simple salad.

How to store and use leftovers

Store leftover Greek yogurt chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

The best thing about this chicken is that it is so versatile, even as leftovers, so you may want to make extra. Here are some suggestions for using leftover chicken:

Toss it into a salad – Shredded Greek yogurt crockpot chicken pairs perfectly with crisp greens. Add cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of feta cheese.

Make wraps or pita sandwiches – Stuff warm pita bread with the leftover chicken, fresh red onions, sliced kalamata olives, and a dollop of tzatziki or hummus, or you can add it to a Mediterranean wrap.

Create a hearty bowl – Serve the leftover chicken in a bowl like this cauliflower rice bowl or make your own bowl with rice and roasted veggies.

Add it to pasta – Stir the chicken into cooked pasta with steamed broccoli or spinach. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and some grated Parmesan for a quick, creamy meal.

Variations

If you want to mix things up, there are plenty of ways to customize this recipe while still capturing that great flavor.

Herbs and Spices – Adding fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley at the end of cooking enhances the dish with a burst of refreshing flavor.

Vegetables – Toss in some sauteed chopped bell peppers and zucchini or even cherry tomatoes just before serving. They not only add texture but also deepen the flavor profile.

Dairy-free – If you prefer dairy-free, you can replace the yogurt with unsweetened coconut yogurt any plant-based yogurt, or cashew cream.

Need leftover inspiration? Try my dinner idea generator!

Recipe FAQs

What can I do if the Greek yogurt curdles in the slow cooker?

If the Greek yogurt curdles, don’t worry — it’s still safe to eat and won’t affect the flavor, only the creamy texture. To avoid curdling, use full-fat Greek yogurt which is less likely to separate. You can also temper the Greek yogurt by mixing a small amount of the hot cooking liquid before adding it to the slow cooker. If it does curdle, stir in a slurry of 1 teaspoon flour and 2 teaspoons water or broth.

Can I make Greek yogurt chicken in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! If you don’t have time to wait for a slow cooker, you can make this dish in an instant pot. Season the chicken and place it into an Instant Pot along with a few tablespoons of water. Set the pressure to high and cook on high for 10 minutes. Slow release for 5 minutes then a manual release. Shred the chicken, add the yogurt, and cover the instant pot and set to warm until the yogurt has heated through.

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cooked and shredded greek yogurt chicken on a plate with green beans, sweet potatoes and a wedge of lemon

Greek Yogurt Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Made with simple ingredients in a slow cooker, ready in 3 1/2 hours!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American Mediterranean
Servings: 4
Calories: 170kcal
Author: Anne Lawton

Greek Yogurt Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Equipment

Scale this Recipe 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
  • 1 cup Plain Greek yogurt Regular or Icelandic will work too
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon coriander
  • 1/2 tablespoon cardamom
  • 1/2 tablespoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Mix the spices (1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon coriander, 1/2 tablespoon cardamom, 1/2 tablespoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper ,1 teaspoon smoked paprika) together in a small bowl.
  • Place the chicken breasts along with a tablespoon or two of water into a slow cooker. Spread the spice blend over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
  • Remove the cover of the slow cooker and shred the chicken with two forks. Stir in the Greek yogurt. Reduce the heat to warm, cover for 15 to 30 minutes until the yogurt is heated through.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
TIPS
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice because they shred easily and soak up the creamy yogurt sauce. If you prefer darker meat or want extra juiciness, opt for boneless chicken thighs.
  • Greek yogurt should always be added at the end of the cooking process. Putting it in too early can cause curdling due to the high heat, which will affect the creamy texture. Stir it in after shredding the chicken and allow it to warm through gently in the slow cooker.
  • Adjust the spice levels to suit your taste, but don’t leave out key ingredients like cumin, coriander.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25lb | Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 396IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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