Description
This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe features tender, marinated grilled chicken served with refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, fresh vegetables, and crumbled feta cheese wrapped in warm pita bread. Perfect for a flavorful Mediterranean main course that’s easy to prepare and delightful to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or mint, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly:
- 4–6 pita or flatbreads
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, Greek yogurt, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken thighs or breasts and coat them well with the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, mix together the Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped dill or mint in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the hot pan. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked through and has a nice char. Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips.
- Warm the Pita: Heat the pita or flatbreads briefly in a dry skillet or warm them in the oven, so they’re soft and pliable for wrapping.
- Assemble the Gyros: Lay each warmed pita flat and layer with shredded lettuce, sliced grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, and crumbled feta cheese. Fold the pita around the fillings and serve the gyros warm.
Notes
- Store-bought tzatziki sauce can be used to save time.
- For variety, substitute chicken with lamb or falafel.
- These gyros are great for meal prep and are crowd-pleasing for dinner wraps.
- Marinating the chicken overnight develops deeper flavors.
- Make sure to squeeze excess water from the cucumber for a thick tzatziki sauce.
