Description
Succulent Greek chicken gyros invite Mediterranean flavors to dance on your plate with authentic Greek spices and tender marinated meat. Rich herbed chicken wrapped in warm pita bread delivers a delicious journey through classic Greek street cuisine you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, chopped
- 4–6 pita breads
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup lettuce, chopped (optional)
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a mixing container. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to maximize flavor infusion.
- Tzatziki Creation: Combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until serving time to allow flavors to meld.
- Chicken Cooking: Preheat grill pan or skillet to medium-high temperature. Sear marinated chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, ensuring complete cooking and developing attractive caramelized edges. Allow meat to rest briefly before slicing into thin strips.
- Gyro Assembly: Gently warm pita bread in a dry skillet or microwave. Layer sliced chicken, fresh tomatoes, crisp red onion, and optional lettuce onto bread. Generously drizzle with prepared tzatziki sauce and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese. Fold pita around fillings, creating a compact wrap. Serve immediately with zesty lemon wedges for additional brightness.
Notes
- Let chicken marinate overnight for deeper, more intense taste that penetrates every fiber, transforming ordinary chicken into a Mediterranean delicacy.
- Use high heat for achieving beautiful caramelization and crispy edges without drying out the meat, ensuring juicy and flavorful chicken strips.
- Squeeze excess water from grated cucumber to prevent watery sauce, maintaining a thick, creamy consistency that clings perfectly to the gyro.
- Swap traditional pita with large lettuce leaves or gluten-free flatbread for celiac-friendly version without compromising authentic Greek flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg