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Mediterranean Chicken Gyros Recipe

Mediterranean Chicken Gyros Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 5 reviews

This Mediterranean Chicken Gyros recipe features tender, marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and served in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Bursting with vibrant flavors from lemon, garlic, oregano, and dill, these gyros offer a perfect balance of juicy, savory chicken and refreshing, cool tzatziki, making it a delicious and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Marinade

  • 1½ lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Tzatziki Sauce

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • ½ cucumber, finely grated and squeezed dry
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
  • Salt to taste

For Assembly

  • 4–6 warm pita breads
  • 1 cup chopped romaine or shredded lettuce
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • Crumbled feta (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Add the chicken thighs or breasts and coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best flavor.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for 5–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and slightly charred on the edges. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
  3. Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated and squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped fresh dill, and salt to taste. Stir well until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  4. Warm the Pita Breads: Gently warm the pita breads in a dry pan over medium heat or wrap in foil and heat in a preheated oven until soft and pliable.
  5. Assemble the Gyros: Lay out the warm pita breads and evenly distribute the sliced chicken onto each one. Top with chopped romaine or shredded lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and a generous spoonful of the prepared tzatziki sauce. Add crumbled feta cheese if desired.
  6. Serve: Fold the pita around the fillings and serve immediately to enjoy the contrasting flavors and textures at their best.

Notes

  • For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour to fully develop flavors.
  • Use Greek yogurt for the tzatziki sauce to achieve the right creaminess and thickness.
  • To squeeze the cucumber dry, place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess water to prevent watery tzatziki.
  • You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred, but thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute pita bread with gluten-free flatbread or lettuce wraps.
  • Leftover gyros can be refrigerated for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean chicken gyros, chicken gyros recipe, homemade gyros, grilled chicken, tzatziki sauce, Greek wraps

Find it online: https://maicook.com/mediterranean-chicken-gyros-recipe/