Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken Dinner

Made with tender chicken, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, and vibrant spices, this one-pot meal is a family-favorite dinner full flavors and textures that are sure to please.

Why this recipe works.

This is a quick prep 'dump and go' meal that is full of protein, vegetables, and other healthier ingredients. The ingredients used are 'convenient' pantry style ingredients (easy prep!).

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• The variety of ingredients means that there is little need for a side dish as this one-pot meal takes care of everything.
• Since this is a one pot meal, clean up is a breeze.
• Personalizing this recipe is as easy as swapping out the chicken for another protein or customizing your seasonings.
• This is a filling meal that is packed with about everything hearty and healthy that you could want to serve!

Have you tried my recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Dinner?

Made with chicken breasts and biscuits, that slow cooker meal is a perfect comfort food. Both this recipe for Mediterranean dinner and that recipe for Chicken and Dumplings dinner are great tasting meals that can be made in a slow cooker.

Couscous is a plant-based protein that adds a healthy punch to this recipe as well as adding an important role in the texture of this meal. You can find Couscous here.

Ingredients needed.

• Chicken Breasts. Boneless skinless breasts that have been cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Chickpeas Rinsed and drained.
• Diced Tomatoes. With the liquid from the can.
• Quartered Artichoke Hearts Drained.
• Onion. Sliced thin.
• Bell Pepper Seeds and stem removed and cut into one inch pieces.
• Kalamata Olives Sliced in half.
• Garlic. Freshly minced.
• Seasonings Salt, Ground Ginger, Ground Cumin, Black Pepper, and Cayenne Pepper.
• Broth. Chicken broth or water can be used.
• Pearl Couscous The Couscous of your choice.
• Baby Spinach Chopped small.
• Feta Cheese For serving.

How to Make Crockpot Mediterranean Chicken.

• Prep Time 10 minutes .
• Slow Cook Time 6 hours on low.
• Servings 8.
• How to serve : Serve in a bowl or on a plate.
• Notes: You will need a large slow cooker such as a six our eight quart.

1. Prep. You can prep your slow cooker with nonstick spray or use a slow cooker liner. Also, gather and have your ingredients prepared as indicated.
2. Layer. Place the chicken pieces into your slow cooker. Top the chicken with the Chickpeas, Diced Tomatoes with liquid, Quartered Artichoke Hearts, Onion Slices, Bell Pepper Pieces, Minced Garlic, Seasonings, and broth.
3. Slow Cook. Cover the slow cooker and slow cook on low for six hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Couscous After six hours of slow cooking, you can stir in the couscous and continue to slow cook until the liquid is absorbed into the couscous.
5. Serve. Stir in the spinach and serve with the crumbled feta cheese on top.

Tips for making the best healthy slow cooker meal.

The chicken is meant to slow cook in the other ingredients so that it can be juicy and flavorful. You can alternatively quickly sear the chicken pieces in a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker to create a deeper flavor profile.

More helpful tips for you.

1. Your chicken is done slow cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165f. The chicken should no longer have any pink areas when fully cooked.
2. Keep an eye on the slow cooker after you can added the couscous. You want the couscous to absorb the liquid but, you do not want to overcook it.
3. The chopped spinach should be stirred in just before serving to preserve its color and texture. Sprinkle the cheese on top when served so that it does not melt into the other ingredients.

FAQ

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
  Absolutely. Chicken thighs are excellent for the slow cooker as they stay incredibly juicy and tender over longer cooking times. The slow cooking time can vary so be sure to check on the chicken after slow cooking for about two to two hand and a half hours.
• Can I slow cook this recipe on high?
  I would not recommend it as the chicken is needs to be slow cooked low and slow for optimal juiciness and texture.
• Is pearl couscous the same as regular couscous?
  No. Regular couscous is tiny and granular, while Pearl (or Israeli) couscous is toasted and shaped like small marbles. Pearl couscous holds its shape much better in stews and soups, making it a great candidate for this recipe..
• Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
  Yes. Use the "Sauté" function for the onions and chicken. Then pressure cook the ingredients with the broth and spices (minus the couscous, spinach, and feta) for 8 minutes with a natural release.Lastly, you can stir in the couscous and spinach at the end using the "Sauté" or "Keep Warm" setting until the couscous is tender.

Variations.

• Vegetarian/Vegan Power Bowl Simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. Uou can increase the chickpeas to two cans and add a cup of diced zucchini or eggplant. Slow cooking time will most like differ since you are not slow cooking the chicken. Also, you can skip the feta or use a vegan substitute to keep it fully plant-based .
• Skip the Couscous. You can replace the pearl couscous with cauliflower rice. Since cauliflower rice cooks instantly, stir it in with the spinach at the very end. Slow cooking time will most likely differ.
• Take the flavor up a notch. Increase the cayenne pepper and add a tablespoon of Harissa paste for a smoky, North African twist.

How to Store Mediterranean Chicken Dinner

Once the chicken dinner has fully cooled it can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, it should keep for up to four days when refrigerated or up to a ew months when frozen. When reheating the stew, you may need to add a splash of water or broth, as the couscous will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.

You may also be interested in these chicken recipes.

• Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
• Crockpot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe
• 33 Easy Recipes Made With Chicken