Description
Mediterranean flavors dance through this Greek chicken gyros recipe, bringing street-food magic right to home kitchens. Juicy marinated chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce wrap perfectly in warm pita, delivering an authentic taste of Greece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 pita breads or flatbreads
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking olive oil with garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Immerse chicken strips thoroughly in the aromatic mixture, ensuring complete coverage, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to allow flavor penetration.
- Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment around 400°F.
- Transfer marinated chicken strips onto hot grill surface, cooking approximately 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown with distinct char marks and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While chicken grills, prepare tzatziki by combining Greek yogurt with finely grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk tzatziki ingredients until smooth, adjusting seasonings to create a balanced, tangy sauce.
- Gently warm pita breads in oven or skillet at 300°F for 2-3 minutes until slightly crisp and pliable.
- Construct gyros by layering grilled chicken strips inside warm pita bread.
- Crown each gyro with generous tzatziki dollop, then garnish with fresh parsley or dill and accompanying lemon wedges for bright, citrusy accent.
Notes
- Enhance marinade absorption by scoring chicken lightly before seasoning, allowing deeper flavor penetration.
- Choose full-fat Greek yogurt for tzatziki to achieve richer, creamier texture and authentic Mediterranean taste.
- Pat cucumber dry after grating to prevent watery tzatziki sauce and maintain proper consistency.
- Quick alternative for busy weeknights: use pre-sliced chicken tenders or rotisserie chicken to reduce prep time.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg