Description
This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe features tender marinated chicken thighs cooked to perfection and wrapped in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and homemade tzatziki sauce. Packed with Mediterranean flavors like garlic, lemon, oregano, and dill, it’s a satisfying and wholesome meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken marinade:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the tzatziki sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For serving:
- 4–6 pita or flatbreads
- Sliced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced red onion
- Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and coat them evenly with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Make the tzatziki: In a medium bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess water squeezed out), lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve to help the flavors meld.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, until the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once done, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into strips.
- Assemble the gyros: Warm your pita or flatbreads briefly on a skillet or in the oven. Spread a generous layer of tzatziki sauce on each pita. Top with sliced chicken, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, and crumbled feta if desired. Wrap the gyros firmly and serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- For a crispier chicken, grilling instead of pan-cooking is recommended.
- Tzatziki sauce can be prepared a day in advance to enhance its flavor.
- You can serve the ingredients deconstructed as a gyro bowl for a low-carb option or family-style serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
