Description
This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe features tender, marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and wrapped in warm pita bread with fresh cucumber, tomato, red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and tangy tzatziki sauce. A delicious and authentic Mediterranean street food experience you can make at home, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, sliced into strips
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- 4–6 pita or flatbreads
- Sliced cucumber
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Tomato, sliced
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the sliced chicken to the marinade and toss so each piece is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours to infuse flavors.
- Preheat the Cooking Surface: Heat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat until hot and ready for cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Cook the chicken strips for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and nicely browned.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Lightly warm the pita or flatbreads either on the grill or in a skillet to make them pliable and slightly charred for extra flavor.
- Assemble the Gyros: Layer each warm pita with cooked chicken strips, a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, sliced cucumber, tomato, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Serve: Serve the gyros immediately while warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- For extra flavor, lightly grill the pita breads before assembling the gyros to add smoky char and softness.
- You can substitute chicken with lamb, beef, or roasted vegetables to create different gyro variations.
- Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Marinating the chicken longer enhances the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- Use fresh homemade tzatziki for an authentic taste, or use store-bought as a convenient alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gyro
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
