Savory Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken Recipe With Olives Is Full of Flavor by Elisa Schmitz

I can't tell you how many weeknight dinners have been made easier (and more delicious) by my slow cooker. Throwing a bunch of wholesome ingredients into a large pot and having it ready by dinnertime, with very little effort on my part, is pretty amazing. That's exactly the case with this savory slow cooker Mediterranean chicken recipe.

The flavor stars in this Mediterranean dish include bay leaves and kalamata olives, which not only pack a flavor punch but also a nutritional boost (read about the health benefits of bay leaves and the health benefits of kalamata olives). Those tasty ingredients are added to a savory tomato sauce that makes the chicken moist, tender and full of flavor.

To make this gluten-free chicken recipe, here's what you need to gather: kalamata olives, extra virgin olive oil, bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, tomato sauce, cannellini beans, chicken breast, yellow bell pepper and tomatoes. You put the chicken into the sauce in the slow cooker and, a few hours later, a delicious and nutritious chicken dinner is ready to be served. 

You can serve this incredibly tasty chicken for dinner on its own or with your favorite side dishes. I served it over rice to soak up the savory sauce, but it would be equally delicious over pasta or quinoa. A great addition to a Mediterranean diet!

Cuisine: Mediterranean 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours (on high)
Total Time: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced in half, plus 1/4 cup of the liquid they're in
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 15 ounces (1 can) tomato sauce
• 15 ounces (1 can) cannellini beans
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped

Recipe Notes

• You could try this recipe with chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.

• Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Reheat in the microwave.

Here's how to make it:

1. To your slow cooker, add the kalamata olives and olive liquid.
   
2. Add the olive oil, bay leaves, oregano, onion powder and garlic powder. Season with sea salt and black pepper, to taste, if desired. Stir to combine.
   
3. Add the tomato sauce and the cannellini beans. Stir to combine.
   
4. Add the chicken to the mixture and ensure it is covered in the sauce.
   
5. Add the tomatoes and bell peppers, and stir to combine.
   
6. Cover the slow cooker and set to cook on high for 4 hours.
   
7. Chicken is done when it measures 165 degrees F on a food thermometer.
   
8. Serve on its own or with your favorite side dishes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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